Small Claims Tribunals Act 1984 · 2020 Revised Edition · Part 2 · Establishment and Jurisdiction of Tribunals
22. Hearing to be informal
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Proceedings before a tribunal are to be conducted in an informal manner.
tribunal
“tribunal” means a Small Claims Tribunal constituted under section 4 of the State Courts Act 1970;
A tribunal, when dealing with a claim, is to adopt a judge‑led approach, that is to say, the tribunal —
is to identify the relevant issues in the claim; and (b)is to ensure that the relevant evidence is adduced by the parties to the proceedings before the tribunal.
In adopting a judge-led approach, a tribunal may, at any time, on its own initiative or on the application of any party to the proceedings before the tribunal, direct any party or parties to those proceedings to appear before the tribunal, for the tribunal to make such order or give such direction as the tribunal thinks fit, for the just, expeditious and economical disposal of the claim.
party
“party” means a claimant or respondent and any person joined as a third party;
A tribunal may, on its own initiative or at the request of any party, summon any person to do either or both of the following:
give evidence in any proceedings before a tribunal;
produce any document, record or thing which is relevant in any proceedings before a tribunal.
A tribunal may inquire into any matter which the tribunal considers relevant to a claim, whether or not the matter is raised by a party to the claim.