remedies Flashcards
chapter 12
Define access
One of the principles of justice. Access means that all people should be able to engage with the justice system and its processes on an informed basis.
Define arbitration
A method of dispute resolution in which an independent person is appointed to listen to both sides of a dispute and to make a decision that is legally binding on the parties. The decision is known as a arbitral award
Conciliation
A methods of dispute resolution that uses an independent third party to help the disputing parties reach a resolution. A conciliator has more influence over the outcome as they are someone with specialist knowledge and can suggest options and possible solutions to resolve the dispute.
Define damages
An amount of money that one party is ordered to pay to another party for loss or harm suffered. It is the most common remedy in a civil claim.
Define equality
One of the principles of justice. Equality means all people should be treated in the same way, but if the same treatment creates disparity or disadvantage, adequate measures should be implemented to allow all to engage with the justice system without disparity or disadvantage.
Define fairness
One of the principles of justice. Fairness means all people can participate in the justice system and its processes should be impartial and open.
Define injunction
A remedy in the form of a court order requiring the defendant to do or not do something. An injunction is designed to prevent a person doing harm (or further harm), or to rectify a wrong
Define jury
An independent group of people chosen at random to determine questions of fact in a trial and reach a decision
Mediation
A method of dispute resolution that uses an independent third party to help the disputing parties reach a resolution. It is a joint problem-solving process in which the parties in conflict try to reach an agreement through negotiation and compromise with the help of a mediator
Remedy
Any order made by a court or tribunal designed to address a civil wrong or a breach. A remedy should provide a legal solution for the plaintiff for a breach of the civil law by the defendant
Define plaintiff
A party who makes a legal claim against another person (i.e. the defendant) in court
Define defendant
A party who is alleged to have breached civil law and who is being sued by a plaintiff
Ways mediation can be used…
- Parities can arrange a private mediation
- Parties in a court case can be referred to mediation by a court before a final trial/hearing
- Parties in a tribunal case are referred to mediation to try and resolve the dispute before the hearing
Ways conciliation can be used…
Federal Circuit Court, Family Court of Australia, Consumer Affairs Victoria
Strengths of mediation and conciliation
- The decision made is more likely to be acceptable to the parties as they have reached the decision themselves
- Less formal and less confrontation, which may alleviate stress
- Confidentiality
- Save time and money
Weaknesses of mediation and conciliation
- Decision are not binding
- One party may dominate or influence the other party and the independent party
- Both parties must be willing to participate
- Not appropriate for some disputes
Weaknesses of arbitration
- Not always available
- May take a long time for the decision to be reached
- The parties have no control over the outcome
- Arbitration is more expensive than mediation and conciliation
- Can be as formal as the court process
- Not as flexible as mediation and conciliation
Arbitration can be used when…
- Parties have previously agreed that any dispute between them will be resolved through arbitration
- The Magistrates’ Court uses arbitration to resolve civil claims less that $10,000
Strength of arbitration
- Privacy allows for flexibility
- Less formal than court processes
- Cheaper than courts
- The arbitral award is legally binding
- Private and confidential
Define tribunal
A tribunal is a dispute resolution body that resolves civil disputes and is intended to be a less costly more informal and faster way to resolve disputes
Tribunals can be used when…
- Tribunals develop expertise in particular types of disputes
- Tribunals can make decisions that are binding
- Tribunals cannot hear every type of dispute (e.g. cannot hear class actions)
Examples of tribunals
National Sports Tribunal, Fair Work Commission, National Native Title Tribunal, Mental Health Tribunal, Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal
Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal
VCAT deals with a large variety of civil disputes
It is made of 5 divisions which hear different kind of disputes
- Administrative Division
- Civil division
- Human Rights Division
- Planning and Environment Division
- Residential Tenancies division
Features of VCAT
- Low fees
- More informal than courts
- Accessible (many VCAT locations, teleconferencing, online portal)
- Cases heard quickly
- Offers dispute resolution methods before making a binding decision on the parties
Define ombudsman
An ombudsman is an official appointed by the government to investigate complaints made by individuals against certain bodies/institutions
Types of ombudmen
Government ombudsman, industry ombudsman
Government ombudsman
Deals with disputes about government agencies
Industry ombudsman
Deals with disputes between consumers and businesses in particular industries
E.g. telecommunications, financial services, public transport, energy and water