Government raises ACAT jurisdiction from $10,000 to $25,000

The tribunal was given increased jurisdiction from December 15, which granted it the power to preside over civil disputes with claims of up to $25,000.

ACAT had previously been able to hear and determine cases for claims of $10,000 or less, with all other matters referred to the ACT Magistrates Court or Supreme Court.

The ruling will take some pressure off the ACT Magistrates Court, which can deal with claims or disputes for up to $250,000.

Claimants who applied to the Magistrates Court for an amount between $10,000 and $25,000 before December 15 could have their matter transferred to ACAT if the hearing had not yet begun.

One of the parties to the proceedings would need to request the transfer for a magistrates' consideration.

"In making an order the Magistrates Court must consider whether there is another proceeding associated with the existing proceeding before the Magistrates Court," the ACAT statement announcing the changes said.

The changes to the tribunal passed the Legislative Assembly in June.

"The amendments contained in the act aim to increase access to justice for the ACT community," the Justice and Community Safety Directorate's annual report said.

ACAT's 2015-16 annual report showed 1326 civil dispute applications were lodged during the last financial year, down from 1537 in 2014-15.

The number of civil applications had fallen year-on-year since 2011-12, when 2231 were lodged.

Some procedures have changed in time for the new year as well.

Claims of $3000 or less with no counter claim will first be listed for a preliminary conference and, if the opposing parties do not reach an agreement, a hearing will be held before a different tribunal member on the same day.

The claims worth $15,000 will hold a preliminary conference, which will continue to a directions hearing if no agreement is reached.

The tribunal's first matters of the year were listed on Wednesday.