By -

Snapshot

  • NCAT has no jurisdiction where the parties to proceedings reside in different States, or reasonably invoke a Commonwealth statute in determining the issues in dispute.
  • Clients need to be advised of this so that alternative remedial avenues may be pursued.
  • This problem arises from humble suburban disputes nudging constitutional tectonic plates.

Under the Commonwealth Constitution (‘Constitution’), the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (‘NCAT’) has no jurisdiction to hear a dispute involving ‘federal jurisdiction’ because it is not a ‘Chapter III court’. This has been confirmed by a number of recent decisions referred to below and applies independently of issues such as justiciability, standing or the like.

What is the practical problem?

NCAT is a cheaper, faster and less formal forum for the determination of a civil dispute within its jurisdiction, compared to traditional courts. It is the default forum for matters within its Guardianship Division. It is the only forum in which proceedings may be commenced under some legislation conferring jurisdiction upon NCAT. An example is an operator of a retirement village or manufactured home park seeking to terminate a resident’s lease.

You've reached the end of this article preview

There's more to read! Subscribe to LSJ today to access the rest of our updates, articles and multimedia content.

Subscribe to LSJ

Already an LSJ subscriber or Law Society member? Sign in to read the rest of the article.

Sign in to read more