Northern Territory Consolidated Regulations

LOCAL COURT (CIVIL JURISDICTION) RULES 1998

TABLE OF PROVISIONS

CHAPTER 1--GENERAL RULES

   PART 1--PRELIMINARY

           Division 1-- Citation and Commencement

   1.01.   Citation  
   1.02.   Commencement  

           Division 2--Application of Rules

   1.03.   Application to civil proceedings  

           Division 3--Interpretation

   1.09.   Definitions  

           Division 4--Miscellaneous

   1.11.   Exercise of power  
   1.12.   Procedure wanting or in doubt  
   1.13.   Act by corporation  
   1.14.   Power to act by legal practitioner, &c.  
   1.15.   Appearance by party  

   PART 2--NON-COMPLIANCE WITH RULES

   2.01.   Effect of non-compliance  
   2.02.   Proceedings commenced by wrong process  
   2.03.   Application to set aside  
   2.04.   Dispensing with compliance  

   PART 3--TIME AND DOCUMENTS

           Division 1--Time

   3.01.   Calculating time  
   3.02.   Time for service  
   3.03.   Extending or reducing time  
   3.04.   Fixing time  

           Division 2--Documents

   3.05.   Content and form  
   3.06.   Registrar may return document  
   3.07.   Prescribed forms  
   3.08.   General power of amendment  
   3.09.   How document is filed  
   3.10.   Filing documents by electronic transmission  

   PART 5--GENERAL PROCEDURE IN COURT

           Division 1--Court venue

   5.01.   Proper venue  
   5.02.   Objection to venue  
   5.03.   Transfer of proceedings  
   5.04.   Transfer from Supreme Court  

           Division 2--Commencement of proceedings and making application

   5.05.   Names of parties  
   5.06.   How proceedings commenced  
   5.07.   Interlocutory or other application  
   5.08.   Urgent case  

           Division 3--Pleadings

   5.09.   Form and content  
   5.10.   Matter to be pleaded  
   5.11.   Subsequent pleading  
   5.12.   Inconsistent pleading  
   5.13.   Particulars of pleading  
   5.14.   Denial and pleading different facts  
   5.15.   Amendments and orders as to form, filing and service  
   5.16.   Failure to plead matter or particulars  
   5.17.   Filing pleadings  

           Division 4--Discontinuance or withdrawal

   5.18.   Discontinuance or withdrawal  

   PART 6--SERVICE

   6.01.   Documents to be served  
   6.02.   When personal service necessary  
   6.03.   How personal service effected  
   6.04.   Personal service on particular party  
   6.05.   Personal service on firm or company  
   6.06.   Address for service  
   6.07.   How ordinary service effected  
   6.08.   Identity of person served  
   6.09.   Acceptance of service by legal practitioner  
   6.10.   Substituted service  
   6.11.   Confirmation of informal service  
   6.12.   Service on agent  
   6.13.   Service under agreement  
   6.14.   Recovery of vacant land  
   6.15.   No service Christmas Day or Good Friday  
   6.16.   Affidavit or declaration of service  

   PART 7--COMMENCEMENT OF PROCEEDINGS

           Division 1--Statement of claim

   7.01.   Filing statement of claim  
   7.02.   Form and content  
   7.03.   Costs to be specified  
   7.04.   Claim not to be divided  
   7.05.   Service  
   7.06.   Time for service  

           Division 2--Originating application

   7.07.   Commencing proceedings by originating application  
   7.08.   Form of originating application between parties  
   7.09.   Service of originating application between parties  
   7.10.   Time for service of originating application between parties  
   7.11.   Filing and form of notice of intention to appear  
   7.12.   Conciliation conference  
   7.13.   Originating application if no respondent  
   7.14.   Hearing of originating application in proceedings with no respondent  
   7.15.   Originating application between parties when early hearing required  
   7.16.   Application for personal violence restraining order  

   PART 8--NOTICE OF DEFENCE

   8.01.   Filing and service  
   8.02.   Form and content  
   8.03.   Specific defences  
   8.04.   Money claim as defence  
   8.05.   Conditional defence  

   PART 9--COUNTERCLAIM

   9.01.   Defendant may counterclaim  
   9.02.   Form of counterclaim  
   9.03.   Hearing of counterclaim  
   9.04.   Counterclaim after judgment for plaintiff, &c.  

   PART 10--FURTHER AND BETTER PARTICULARS

   10.01.  Notice requiring particulars  
   10.02.  Time for serving and filing notice  
   10.03.  Particulars to be served and filed  
   10.04.  Failure to give particulars  
   10.05.  Particulars in counterclaim  

   PART 11--ORDER IN DEFAULT OF DEFENCE

   11.01.  When party may apply for order  
   11.02.  Affidavit or declaration required  
   11.03.  Registrar may make order or refer to Judge  
   11.04.  Party may apply for re-hearing  

   PART 12--JOINDER OF CLAIMS AND PARTIES

   12.01.  Joinder of claims  
   12.02.  Joinder of parties  
   12.03.  Plaintiff suing for 2 or more persons  
   12.04.  Orders where joinder prejudicial, &c.  
   12.05.  Removal, addition or substitution of party  
   12.06.  Procedure for addition of party  
   12.07.  Consolidation or hearing together  

   PART 13--THIRD PARTY PROCEDURE

   13.01.  When defendant may join third party  
   13.02.  Third party notice  
   13.03.  Claim by defendant against another defendant  
   13.04.  Subsequent parties  
   13.05.  Plaintiff may join third party  
   13.06.  Defence of third party  
   13.07.  Separate disposal or stay of third party proceedings  
   13.08.  Hearing  
   13.09.  Directions  
   13.10.  Counterclaim  

   PART 14--INTERPLEADER

           Division 1--Interpretation and purpose

   14.01.  Definitions  
   14.02.  Purpose of Part  

           Division 2--Stakeholder's interpleader

   14.03.  Stakeholder's application for interpleader order  

           Division 3--Bailiff's interpleader

   14.04.  Notice of claim to bailiff  
   14.05.  Bailiff's application to stay or restrain proceedings  
   14.06.  Notice to execution creditor  
   14.07.  Consequences of admission of claim  
   14.08.  Bailiff's application for interpleader order  

           Division 4--Interpleader orders

   14.09.  Interpleader orders  
   14.10.  Neutrality of applicant  
   14.11.  Order in several proceedings  
   14.12.  Hearing of interpleader question  
   14.13.  Default by claimant  
   14.14.  Bailiff's costs when decision against claimant  

   PART 15--PERSON UNDER DISABILITY

   15.01.  Definition  
   15.02.  Litigation guardian  
   15.03.  Person who may be litigation guardian  
   15.04.  Consent of litigation guardian  
   15.05.  Appointment, &c., of litigation guardian by Court  
   15.06.  Pleading admissions by person under disability  
   15.07.  Litigation guardian liable for costs  
   15.08.  Court to approve compromise, &c.  
   15.09.  Order approving compromise, &c.  
   15.10.  Money to be paid to Public Trustee  
   15.11.  Counterclaim or claim by third party  
   15.12.  Legal practitioner's lien  

   PART 16--DISCOVERY AND INSPECTION OF DOCUMENTS

   16.01.  Party to give discovery  
   16.02.  List of documents  
   16.03.  Continuing discovery  
   16.04.  Request for inspection  
   16.05.  Production  
   16.06.  Copies of documents  
   16.07.  Audio and visual devices, &c.  
   16.08.  Failure to give discovery or allow inspection  

   PART 17--INTERROGATORIES

   17.01.  When interrogatories allowed  
   17.02.  Statement where multiple parties interrogated  
   17.03.  Form, serving and filing of answers  
   17.04.  Answers to interrogatories  
   17.05.  Objections  
   17.06.  Who to answer  
   17.07.  Failure to answer  
   17.08.  Answers as evidence  

   PART 18--PRELIMINARY DISCOVERY AND DISCOVERY FROM NON-PARTY

   18.01.  Definitions  
   18.02.  Privilege  
   18.03.  Ascertaining description of prospective defendant  
   18.04.  Party may ascertain description of non-party  
   18.05.  Discovery from prospective defendant  
   18.06.  Discovery from non-party relating to relief  
   18.07.  Discovery from non-party relating to question  
   18.08.  Procedure  
   18.09.  Inspection of documents  
   18.10.  Costs  

   PART 19--ADMISSIONS

   19.01.  Definition  
   19.02.  Restrictive effect of admission  
   19.03.  Admission of debt  
   19.04.  Voluntary admission of facts  
   19.05.  Notice to dispute facts  
   19.06.  Notice to dispute authenticity of documents  
   19.07.  Costs of proof  
   19.08.  Judgment on admission  

   PART 20--OFFERS OF SETTLEMENT

           Division 1--Definitions

   20.01.  Definitions  

           Division 2--Offer of compromise

   20.02.  Party may make offer  
   20.03.  Acceptance of offer  
   20.04.  Effect of offer  
   20.05.  No disclosure of offer to Court  
   20.06.  Order in terms of accepted offer  
   20.07.  Costs consequences of failure to accept  
   20.08.  Multiple defendants  
   20.09.  Offer to contribute  
   20.10.  Interest on offer of compromise  

           Division 3--Payment into Court

   20.11.  Where tender before action pleaded  
   20.12.  Paying money into Court  
   20.13.  Notice of deposit  
   20.14.  Withdrawal by defendant  
   20.15.  Acceptance by plaintiff  
   20.16.  Effect of acceptance  
   20.17.  Order for payment out after acceptance  
   20.18.  Money not accepted  
   20.19.  No disclosure of payment into court  
   20.20.  Costs consequences of payment into Court  

   PART 21--EVIDENCE GENERALLY

   21.01.  Manner of giving evidence  
   21.02.  Use of affidavit at hearing  
   21.03.  Attendance and production  
   21.04.  Inspection of place, &c.  
   21.05.  Admission of copy  
   21.06.  Person about to leave territory  

   PART 22--AFFIDAVITS

   22.01.  Form of affidavit  
   22.02.  Affidavit relating to motor vehicle accident  
   22.03.  Affidavit by multiple deponents  
   22.04.  Affidavit by person unable to read  
   22.05.  Affidavit by person unable to write  
   22.06.  Affidavit by person unable to understand English  
   22.07.  Content of affidavit  
   22.08.  Annexures and exhibits  
   22.09.  Filing  
   22.10.  Alterations  
   22.11.  Irregularity  
   22.12.  Affidavit witnessed by party etc.  
   22.13.  Affidavit made before commencement of proceedings  

   PART 23--WITNESS SUMMONS

   23.01.  Definitions  
   23.02.  Order to attend  
   23.03.  Summons to give evidence  
   23.04.  Form and filing of summons for production  
   23.05.  Summons for production after hearing date fixed  
   23.06.  Summons for production before hearing date fixed  
   23.07.  Service  
   23.08.  Expenses and losses incurred complying with summons  
   23.09.  Delivery of documents by hand or post  
   23.10.  Objections and setting aside summons  
   23.11.  Orders for inspection  

   PART 24--EXPERT EVIDENCE

   24.01.  Statement of expert evidence  
   24.02.  Putting other party's expert statement in evidence  
   24.03.  Request for examination of plaintiff  
   24.04.  Costs of examination  
   24.05.  Report of examination  
   24.06.  Expert's report admissible  
   24.07.  Attendance of expert  

   PART 25--APPLICATIONS

   25.01.  Definition  
   25.02.  Form of application  
   25.03.  Filing  
   25.04.  Service  
   25.05.  Person served to file affidavit  
   25.06.  Failure to attend hearing  
   25.07.  Attendance by teleconferencing  

   PART 26--INJUNCTIONS AND PRESERVATION OF PROPERTY

   26.01.  Injunctions  
   26.02.  Preservation of property  

   PART 27--SUMMARY JUDGMENT

   27.01.  Application for judgment by plaintiff  
   27.02.  Plaintiff's affidavit  
   27.03.  Service on defendant  
   27.04.  Defendant may show cause  
   27.05.  Hearing of application  
   27.06.  Summary judgment for defendant  

   PART 28--SUMMARY STAY OR DISMISSAL OF CLAIM AND STRIKING OUT PLEADING

   28.01.  Stay or judgment in proceedings  
   28.02.  Striking out pleading  

   PART 29--SUMMARY PROCEEDINGS FOR RECOVERY OF POSSESSION OF LAND

   29.01.  Application of Part  
   29.02.  Commencement of proceedings  
   29.03.  Who to be defendant  
   29.04.  Affidavit required  
   29.05.  Service  
   29.06.  Affidavit to be filed  
   29.07.  Occupier made defendant  
   29.08.  Judgment for possession  
   29.09.  Warrant of possession  

   PART 30--APPLICATIONS AND CLAIMS RELATING TO TENANCIES

           Division 1--Preliminary

   30.01.  Definitions  
   30.02.  Applications or claims may be made by agents  

           Division 2--Tenancy applications

   30.03.  Form of applications  
   30.04.  Filing of applications and service of tenancy applications  
   30.05.  Hearing of applications  
   30.06.  Applications for warrant of possession  

           Division 3--Retail tenancy claims

   30.07.  Application of Division  
   30.08.  Commencement of proceedings  
   30.09.  Case management  

   PART 31--SECURITY FOR COSTS

   31.01.  Definitions  
   31.02.  When security for costs may be ordered  
   31.03.  Manner of giving security  
   31.04.  Failure to give security  
   31.05.  Setting aside or variation of order  
   31.06.  Payment by irrevocable guarantee  
   31.07.  Requirements of guarantee  
   31.08.  Liability of ADI  

   PART 32--CASE MANAGEMENT

   32.01.  When conferences to be held  
   32.02.  Who to attend conferences  
   32.03.  Attendance by teleconferencing  
   32.04.  Procedure at conciliation conference  
   32.05.  Case management statement  
   32.06.  Procedure at prehearing conference  
   32.07.  Mediation conference  
   32.08.  Mediators  
   32.09.  Costs on adjournment of mediation  
   32.10.  Consequences of failure to attend, &c.  
   32.11.  Confidentiality  

   PART 33--HEARING OF PROCEEDINGS

   33.01.  Directions for conduct of hearing  
   33.02.  Absence of party  
   33.03.  Party may apply for re-hearing  
   33.04.  Disqualification of Judge  

   PART 34--ASSESSMENT OF DAMAGES OR VALUE OF GOODS

   34.01.  Interpretation  
   34.02.  When order for assessment may be made  
   34.03.  Manner of assessment  
   34.04.  Notice to parties  
   34.05.  Evidence by affidavit  
   34.06.  Summons to give evidence or produce documents  
   34.07.  Order to state amount  

   PART 35--ORDERS

           Division 1--Orders made by Court

   35.01.  General relief  
   35.02.  Date of effect  
   35.03.  Form of order  
   35.04.  Certified copy  
   35.05.  Time for compliance  
   35.06.  Order by consent  
   35.07.  Party may apply for re-hearing  

           Division 2--Registration of other orders

   35.08.  Application of Division  
   35.09.  Application for registration of order  
   35.10.  Registration  
   35.11.  Enforcement  

   PART 36--RE-HEARING

   36.01.  Application for re-hearing  
   36.02.  Further application  
   36.03.  Re-hearing date  

   PART 37--APPEALS

   37.01.  Application of Part  
   37.02.  Definitions  
   37.03.  Persons who may be joined  
   37.04.  Notice of appeal  
   37.05.  Notice of appearance  
   37.06.  Prehearing conference  
   37.07.  Amendment of grounds  
   37.08.  Representation  
   37.09.  Hearing of appeal  

   PART 38--COSTS

           Division 1--Preliminary

   38.01.  Definitions  
   38.02.  Application of Supreme Court Rules 1987  

           Division 2--Costs

   38.03.  Power and discretion of Court  
   38.04.  Costs generally to be allowed at 100% of the Supreme Court costs  
   38.05.  Costs of conciliation conference  
   38.06.  Costs of interlocutory application  
   38.09.  Costs in appeals  
   38.10.  Public interest costs order  

           Division 3--Taxation

   38.11.  Taxing officer  
   38.12.  Bill of costs  
   38.13.  Notice of objection  
   38.14.  Particular allowances  
   38.15.  Fee for taxation  
   38.16.  Review of taxing officer's order  

   PART 39--INTEREST ON JUDGMENT AND COSTS

   39.01.  Interest on judgment and costs  
   39.02.  Interest on costs in interlocutory application  
   39.03.  Interest up to judgment  
   39.04.  No interest while instalment order in force  

   PART 40--LEGAL PRACTITIONERS

   40.01.  Change in legal practitioner  
   40.02.  Appointment of legal practitioner  
   40.03.  Ceasing to act  
   40.04.  Service where practitioner ceases to practise  

CHAPTER 2--RULES FOR ENFORCEMENT OF ORDERS

   PART 42--PRELIMINARY

           Division 1--Definitions

   42.01.  Definitions  

           Division 2--Enforcement generally

   42.02.  Enforcement of order for payment of money  
   42.03.  Order against multiple defendants  
   42.04.  Order against partners  
   42.05.  Court may stay enforcement  

   PART 43--WARRANTS OF EXECUTION GENERALLY

   43.01.  Application for issue of warrant of execution  
   43.02.  Costs of prior execution  
   43.03.  When warrant of execution issued  
   43.04.  Duration and priority  
   43.05.  Payment into Court  

   PART 44--WARRANT OF SEIZURE AND SALE

   44.01.  Definition  
   44.02.  Application for warrant  
   44.03.  Property that may be seized and sold  
   44.04.  Possession of property not removed  
   44.05.  Procedure for seizure and sale  
   44.06.  Notice to judgment debtor  
   44.07.  Time and place of sale  
   44.08.  Advertisement of sale  

   PART 45--WARRANT OF DELIVERY

   45.01.  Application for warrant  
   45.02.  Enforcement where order includes payment of money  
   45.03.  Enforcement where order for value of goods only  

   PART 46--WARRANT OF POSSESSION

   46.01.  Application for warrant  
   46.02.  Goods need not be removed  
   46.03.  Enforcement where order includes payment of money  

   PART 47--EXAMINATION OF JUDGMENT DEBTOR

   47.01.  Application for examination summons  
   47.02.  Filing and issue of examination summons  
   47.03.  Service of summons and declaration  
   47.04.  Judgment debtor to complete declaration  
   47.05.  Examination of judgment debtor  
   47.06.  Orders registrar may make  
   47.07.  Failure to attend for examination  
   47.08.  Copy of order  
   47.09.  Application for arrest warrant  
   47.10.  Duration of arrest warrant  

   PART 48--ATTACHMENT OF EARNINGS ORDER

   48.01.  Definitions  
   48.02.  Attachment of earnings order  
   48.03.  Attachment of earnings order in place of other order  
   48.04.  Application for attachment of earnings order  
   48.05.  Order in absence of judgment debtor  
   48.06.  Form and content of order  
   48.07.  When order comes into force  
   48.08.  Service of order  
   48.09.  Notice by person who is not employer  
   48.10.  Payments by employer  
   48.11.  Notice to judgment debtor of payments  
   48.12.  Multiple attachment of earnings orders  
   48.13.  Failure of employer to comply with order  
   48.14.  Determination of earnings  
   48.15.  Discharge, suspension or variation of order  
   48.16.  Cessation of order  

   PART 49--ATTACHMENT OF DEBTS ORDER

   49.01.  Interpretation  
   49.02.  When attachment of debts order may be made  
   49.03.  Application for order  
   49.04.  Service of summons and affidavit  
   49.05.  Dispute of liability by garnishee  
   49.06.  Claim by another person  
   49.07.  Attachment of debts order  
   49.08.  Service of order  
   49.09.  Time for payment by garnishee  
   49.10.  Failure to comply  
   49.11.  Discharge of garnishee  

   PART 50--INSTALMENT ORDER

   50.01.  Application for instalment order  
   50.02.  Registrar may make or refuse to make order  
   50.03.  Notice of objection  
   50.04.  Judgment debtor to produce documents  
   50.05.  Consent to instalment order  
   50.06.  Instalment agreement  

   PART 51--CHARGING ORDER

   51.01.  Definitions  
   51.02.  Application for charging order  
   51.03.  Charging summons  
   51.04.  Evidence in supporting affidavit  
   51.05.  Service of summons  
   51.06.  Effect of service of summons  
   51.07.  Charging order  
   51.08.  Effect and enforcement of charge  
   51.09.  Variation or discharge of order  

   PART 52--APPOINTMENT OF RECEIVER

   52.01.  Application for appointment of receiver  
   52.02.  Determination of application  

   PART 53--SEQUESTRATION

   53.01.  Application for sequestration order  
   53.02.  Service of summons  
   53.03.  Sequestration order against officer  
   53.04.  Discharge of order  

   PART 53A--IDENTITY CRIME

   53A.01. Application for victim's certificate  
   53A.02. Certificate for victims of identity crime  

CHAPTER 3--MISCELLANEOUS

   PART 54--REPEAL

   54.01.  Repeal  
           SCHEDULE 1
           SCHEDULE 2
           ENDNOTES