Home > QCAT operational information > Minor civil disputes

Minor civil disputes

QCAT’s minor civil dispute jurisdiction combines the matters currently being heard in the Small Claims Tribunal and the minor debt jurisdiction of the Magistrates Courts.

The disputes covered by this jurisdiction include:

debt disputes - a claim to recover a debt or liquidated demand of money. A liquidated demand is either for an amount that has been previously agreed to, or where the amount calculated by either party in an agreed manner.
consumer and trader disputes - disputes between a consumer and a trader or between two or more traders including claims for repair of a defect in a motor vehicle under the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act 2000
property damage disputes - claims for payment of an amount for damage to property caused by, or arising out of the use of, a vehicle
residential tenancy disputes including rooming accommodation disputes
dividing fence disputes.

The maximum amount of money that can be claimed in QCAT’s minor civil dispute jurisdiction will be $25,000. This is an increase from the Small Claims Tribunal and minor debt monetary jurisdiction of $7,500.

Minor civil disputes can be filed, and hearings conducted at all Magistrates Courts except for Brisbane Magistrates Court. The Brisbane QCAT registry at 259 Queen Street will hear minor civil disputes for the central Brisbane area.

Last updated 10/28/2009 1:08:26 PM