Explanatory Statement

Court Procedures Amendment Rules 2015 (No 1)
Subordinate Law SL2015-12

Issued by the Authority of the Rule-Making Committee

The Rule-Making Committee (currently comprising the Chief Justice, Justice Refshauge, Chief Magistrate Walker and Magistrate Campbell) may make rules in relation to the practice and procedure of ACT courts and their registries pursuant to section 7 of the Court Procedures Act 2004. The Courts and the Joint Rules Advisory Committee have continued a consultative review of the rules which has resulted in the amendments contained in the Court Procedures Amendment Rules 2015 (No 1).

Division 3.13.8, which deals with case management of applications for arbitration in workers compensation matters has been amended to provide for  court ordered dispute resolution conferences in applications for arbitration.  The purpose of these conferences is to provide early resolution, with the assistance of a conciliator, to settle any issue in dispute and the amount of compensation payable, and if the claim is not settled, to narrow the issues in dispute and to progress the matter to arbitration as quickly and cost effectively, as possible.  Unless otherwise ordered by the court, all applications for arbitration will be listed for dispute resolution conference within certain time limits after applications for arbitration are filed in the Magistrates Court.