Small Claims Tribunal

judiciary.gov.fj > Tribunals > Small Claims Tribunal

Key Information

CONTACT THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL

BUSINESS HOURS:

Mondays – Thursdays: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Fridays: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (except for gazetted Public Holidays)

 

CONTACT DETAILS:

SUVA

P O BOX 2215 Gov’t Bldgs, Suva [Level 1, Building D, Old Parliament Complex, Veiuto, Suva.]

 

Senior Court Officer: +679 892 7742 / +679 9922256

Court Clerk: +679 892 7743 / +679 9922256

General Enquiries: +679 892 7700 / +679 9922256

Email: fijisuvasct@gmail.com

 

NASINU

Saqa Street, Valelevu, Nasinu, beside Housing Authority.

PO BOX 7748 Magistrate’s Court, Nasinu.

 

Senior Court Officer I: +679 8924722 / +679 9920925

Senior Court Officer II: +679 8925320 / +679 9922271

Enquiries: +679 8925390

Email: nasinumagct@@gmail.com

 

NAUSORI

Level 1, 3 Kings Building, Nausori Town.

PO BOX 227 Magistrate’s Court, Nausori.

 

Senior Court Officer II: +679 8924 855 / +679 9922276

Court Officer: +679 8924 856

Civil Clerk: +679 8924 869

Criminal Clerk: +679 8924 866

DVRO Clerk: +679 8924 865

Court 1 Clerk: +679 8924 868

Court 2 Clerk: +679 8924 872

Counter Clerk: +679 8924 874

General Enquiries: +679 8924 920

Email: nausorimagct@gmail.com

 

 

TAILEVU NORTH – KOROVOU

Deepwater Road, Korovou.

P O BOX 227 Magistrate’s Court, Nausori.

 

Officer In Charge: +679 8924 731 / +679 8301126

General Enquiries: +679 8924 730 / +679 8924 732

 

SIGATOKA

Lawaqa Road, Sigatoka.

PO BOX 87 Magistrate’s Court, Sigatoka.

 

Court Officer/General Enquiries: +679 6500 067 / +679 9922302

Email: sigatokacourt@gmail.com

 

NADI

Koroivolu Ave, Nadi Town.

PO BOX 1275 Magistrate’s Court, Nadi.

 

Court Officer: +679 670 1322 / +679 8916219

General Enquiries: +679 6701322 / +679 670 1762 / +679 670 0960

Email: nadimagistratescourt@gmail.com

 

LAUTOKA

Lautoka Magistrates Court Complex – Along Tavewa Avenue, Lautoka.

PO Box 6453, Lautoka.

 

Senior Court Officer II: +679 6661403 / +679 9922311

General Enquiries: +679 666 1403

Email: ltkamct@gmail.com

 

 

BA

Old Kings Rd, Ba Town.

PO BOX 430 Magistrate’s Court, Ba.

 

Court Officer: +679 667 4287 / +679 8308910

General Enquiries: +679 667 1817

Email: bact.fiji@gmail.com

 

TAVUA

Nabuna Street, Tavua.

PO BOX 516 Magistrate’s Court, Tavua.

 

Court Officer/General Enquiries: +679 668 0022 / +679 9922345

Email: tavuacourt@gmail.com 

 

RAKIRAKI

Rakiraki Town.

PO BOX 87 Magistrate’s Court, Rakiraki.

 

Court Officer/General Enquiries: +679 6669 4349/ +679 9922347

Email: rakirakicourt@gmail.com

 

LEVUKA

Levuka Town, Ovalau.

PO BOX 66 Magistrate’s Court, Levuka.

 

Court Officer: +679 3440 355 / +679 9922491

Email: levukacourt@gmail.com

 

LABASA

Katonivere House – Hospital Road, Labasa.

PO BOX 56 Magistrate’s Court, Labasa.

 

Senior Court Officer II: +679 881 6780 / +679 9922438

 

SAVUSAVU

Ground Floor, Naturubu House, Savusavu Town.

PO BOX 160 Magistrate’s Court, Savusavu.

 

Court Officer: +679 8926140 / +679 9922464

General Enquiries: +679 8926150

Email: savusavucourt@gmail.com

 

TAVEUNI

Waiyevo Road, Between Taveuni Police Station and Telecom Fiji Exchange.

PO BOX 31 Magistrate’s Court, Taveuni.

 

Court Officer: +679 888 0484 / +679 9922490

General Enquiries: +679 888 0081 / +679 9922490

Email: taveunicourt@gmail.com

 

 

CONTACT THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL ONLINE:

 

    The Small Claims Tribunal is governed by the Small Claims Tribunal Act 1991. It has jurisdiction in respect of any civil claim with a monetary ceiling of $5,000.00. The Small Claims Tribunal is headed by a Referee and determination of a particular matter will be made as the Referee thinks fit.

     

    Small Claims Tribunal provides less expensive means of resolving claims. No lawyers are allowed to appear or represent a party in Small Claims Tribunal.

     

    Jurisdiction of Tribunals

    Tribunal shall have jurisdiction in respect of any claim which does not exceed $5,000 in value.

     

    To determine whether a claim exceeds $5,000 in value, the following shall be taken into account:

    1. Where a claim is made for the recovery of chattels, the value of those chattels; and
    2. Where a claim is made for a work order, the value of the work sought to be included therein.

     

    A claim for an unliquidated sum is deemed to be for a maximum value of $5,000.

     

    If it is necessary for the purpose of the Act to ascertain the value of any chattels or work or to resolve any dispute as to such value, that value shall be determined by the Tribunal in such manner as it thinks fit.

     

    A Tribunal shall also have such other jurisdiction as is conferred upon it by any other law.

     

    Basic Types of Disputes/Claims:

    • Tenancy agreement
    • Contract
    • Money lending
    • Purchase agreement
    • Vehicle repairs, etc.

     

    Further limitations of jurisdiction

    A Tribunal shall have no jurisdiction in respect of any of the following claims:

    1. For the recovery of land or any estate or interest therein;
    2. In which the title to any land or any estate or interest therein, is in question;
    3. Which could not be brought in a Magistrates’ Court; and
    4. Which is required by any law to be brought only before any other specified court.

     

    Requirements to prepare your Claim

    • Complete a  Claim form and have it checked at the SCT registry
    • Ensure that it is within the Jurisdiction of the Tribunal, i.e. the claim is not more than $5000.
    • Ensure that you have all the relevant documentary proof, receipts, etc.

     

    Service of Claim

    Ensure that the Claim is served on the respondent not less than 10 clear days from the date of Hearing.

     

    Affidavit of Service

    Ensure that the affidavit of Service (proof of service of the Claim on the respondent) is fully completed and witnessed by a Commissioner for Oaths.

     

    What happens at the Hearing?

    • Both parties should be available to explain themselves.
    • Normally they are asked if they can discuss and settle the claim by themselves.
    • If there is no settlement the Tribunal will proceed to hear and determine the claim.
    • Order of the Tribunal is then issued at the end of the hearing.

     

    Re-Hearing

    • Application for re-hearing is made to the tribunal only if it has made an Order.
    • Re-hearing Application should be filed within 14 days from the date of the Tribunal’s Order.
    • Form 5 is used for re-hearing application, together with the requisite fees.

     

    Appeal

    If you do not accept/agree with the Tribunal’s order, you may file the relevant Form 6 together with the requisite fees, and Appeal the order, and that shall be heard in the Magistrate’s Court of that jurisdiction. The appeals may be made on the following grounds:

    1. The proceedings were conducted by the Referee in a manner which was unfair to the appellant and prejudicially affected the result of the proceedings; or
    2. The Tribunal exceeded its jurisdiction.

     

    Enforcements

    If the Tribunal’s order is not complied with by the respondent/party, the applicant may file the Complaint form for enforcement and the following may be applied:

    • Judgment Debtor Summons (JDS)
    • Writ of Fieri Facias/ FIFA
    • Bankruptcy

     

    [Note: Please refer to the information provided under the Magistrates Court Civil link (Enforcement of Court Orders). For any other information, please do contact us.]

    Referees

    Central/Eastern:
    i. Mr. Joel Sahai
    ii. Mr. Bir Chand
    iii. Mr. Ifereimi W Soata
    iv. Mrs Eleanor Eyre
    v. Mrs. Veniana Rayawa

     

    Western:
    i. Mr. Panipasa Matailevu
    ii. Mr. Eroni Antonio
    iii. Ms. Kokila Naicker
    iv. Ms. Anita Raj
    v. Ms. Menani Vatucicila
    vi. Ms. Vijayanti Mala Naidu

     

    Northern:
    i. Ms Sitama Venkatappa
    ii. (Post vacant)

    Calendar

    Calendar to be updated here when dates are confirmed.

    Fees [VIP]

    Form 1 – Claim $5.45

    Form – 5 Re- Hearing $10.90

    Form 6 – Appeal $10.90

    Summons To Witness $5.45

    Judgment Debtor Summons $16.35

    Fieri Facias (FIFA) $27.25

    Bench Warrant $59.95

    Committal Warrant $54.50

    Copy of any court records or documents $1.10