A new Disputes Tribunal limit of $60,000 – increasing access to civil justice
On 24 January 2026, the Disputes Tribunal Amendment Act 2025 came into force. The Disputes Tribunal can now hear claims for up to $60,000. The limit was previously $30,000.
Background
Prior to 24 January 2026, a claim for more than $30,000 needed to be filed in the District Court. Even where a person considered they had a strong case, from a purely economic point of view, a claim in the $30,001 – $60,000 range in the District Court was not always justifiable. The total cost of pursuing the claim could sometimes be higher than the amount being claimed.
Access to Justice
The cost of bringing a claim in the Disputes Tribunal is modest. Fees are structured in accordance with the amount an applicant (the person bringing a claim in the Disputes Tribunal) is seeking. The fees as at the date of writing are as follows:
| Value of claim | Fee |
| $0 – $1,999.99 | $61 |
| $2,000 – $4,999.99 | $121 |
| $5,000 – $30,000.99 | $243 |
| $30,001 – $60,000 | $468 |
Parties cannot be represented by lawyers at a Disputes Tribunal hearing. This means that the total cost of bringing a claim in the Disputes Tribunal could be as little as the filing fee, as well as the time you personally need to spend preparing the documents and appearing in the Tribunal.
While potential applicants may feel uncertain arguing their case in front of a Disputes Tribunal referee, it is important to remember that the Tribunal is designed for non-lawyers and the outcome of a hearing may not be based strictly on the legal position, but rather where the merit and justice of the case lie.
Depending on the complexity of the claim, an applicant may want to consider engaging a lawyer to provide advice on their claim, or to assist with preparation of the hearing (including explaining the legal position).
The increase to the Disputes Tribunal limit signals a positive change in increasing access to civil justice for those New Zealanders who have a dispute of up to $60,000, but who would struggle to finance the cost of bringing a claim in the District Court.
As was the case before the claim limit increased, an applicant can still abandon any part of their claim to bring it within the jurisdiction of the Disputes Tribunal. For example, if an applicant whose claim is for $75,000 wanted to bring their claim in the Disputes Tribunal, they can abandon recovery of $15,000, and limit their claim to $60,000. You also need to be aware that there are limits on the types of cases that can be made in the Disputes Tribunal.
If you need advice in relation to a Disputes Tribunal claim, or require assistance with an upcoming hearing, please don’t hesitate to contact the team at Harmans.
