Section 17

The Registrar must, when a claim has been filed, invite all the parties to the dispute for consultation with a view to effecting a settlement acceptable to all the parties.

Where such a settlement is made, the Registrar must, at the request of the claimant, make an order under section 35 that gives effect to the terms of the settlement and the order has effect as if it were an order of a tribunal made under that section.

Where at the consultation the Registrar is of the opinion that a claim or counterclaim lodged is outside the jurisdiction of a tribunal, the Registrar must discontinue the proceedings and advise the claimant and respondent accordingly.

Any person aggrieved by a decision of the Registrar made under subsection (3) may within one month appeal to a tribunal which may make an order confirming, reversing or varying the decision of the Registrar.

If a claimant fails to appear at the consultation, by himself or herself or by a representative pursuant to section 23(2), the Registrar may make an order dismissing the claim or, where there is a counterclaim by the respondent, make any order which a tribunal may make under section 35.

If a respondent fails to appear at the consultation, by himself or herself or by a representative pursuant to section 23(2), the claimant may apply to the Registrar for any order which a tribunal may make under section 35 to be made against the respondent.

Upon an application under subsection (6), the Registrar must grant the claimant the order if the Registrar is satisfied that the claimant is entitled thereto and that a copy of the written claim and notice of consultation have been served on the respondent.

Any order made by the Registrar under subsection (5) or (7) has effect as if it were an order of a tribunal made under section 35.

Any person aggrieved by an order of the Registrar made under subsection (5), (6) or (7) may apply to the Registrar for the order to be set aside.

An application made under subsection (9) must be made within one month after the consultation or such further period as the Registrar may allow.

Section 23 applies to a consultation under this section or section 18, subject to the modification that a reference in section 23 to proceedings before a tribunal is a reference to the consultation.