During the case

This section has information about what happens when you defend the claim and go to court. ​

​Pre-trial review 

Once you have filed your defence, the court will send you a notice for a pre-trial review. 

The pre-trial review is the first time that you and the plaintiff will go into a courtroom. It will usually be within 6 weeks of the date you filed your defence.​

This section has information on:

• ​preparing for the pre-trial review
  
• going to the pre-trial review
• changing your address with the court. 

For more information, see Pre-trial review​.

​The hearing

If the case does not settle at the pre-trial review, it will be listed for a hearing on another date. At the hearing you will be given the chance to present your case and the reasons why you disagree with the claim. 

This section has information on:

• ​preparing for the hearing
• going to the hearing.

​For more information, see The hearing​. 

The decision 

After considering all the evidence from both you and the plaintiff at the hearing, the magistrate or assessor will make a decision about the plaintiff's claim.

For more information, see The decision.