​Responding to a statement of claim 

This figure is a flowchart with labelled boxes linked by lines. The flowchart describes the steps you can take if you have been served with a Statement of claim for money or goods. Each box in the flowchart contains a hyperlink to further information. The action you take will depend on your responses to each step in the flowchart. The flowchart is described as a list of five steps. Where there are possible actions, these are listed beneath that step. 

Step 1. You are served with a Statement of Claim [link to Responding to a Statement of Claim]. Possible action:

• If the debt is about money owed for a consumer credit debt, you apply to an External Dispute Resolution (EDR) scheme, the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) [link to External Dispute Resolution].
• You file a defence [link to Filing a defence]. Go to step 3.
• You file a cross claim [link to Filing a cross claim]. Go to step 3.
• You ask for more information [link to Asking for more information]. Go to step 2.
• You agree any pay the debt in full or return the goods [link to If you agree].
• You agree with the claim and apply to the court to pay the debt by instalments [link to If you agree​].
• You do nothing [link to What if you do nothing?]. Go to step 5.

Step 2. You ask for more information [link to Asking for more information].  Possible action:

• ​You agree and pay the debt in full or return the goods [link to If you agree​].
• You file a Defence [link to Filing a defence]. Go to step 3.
• You reach an agreement with the plaintiff [link to Settling the case].

Step 3. You go to the pre-trial review [link to Pre-trial review]. Possible action:

• You settle the case [link to Settling the case​].
  

• If you are unable to settle your case, you go to the hearing [link to The hearing]. Go to step 4.

Step 4.  The court makes a decision [link to The decision].

Step 5.  The plaintiff applies for default judgment against you after 28 days [link to Do nothing]