Report: Civil Dispute Resolution Bill 2010
23 July 2010
© Commonwealth of Australia 2010
View the report as a single document - (PDF 41KB)
23 July 2010
Senator the Hon John Hogg
President of the Senate
INQUIRY INTO THE PROVISIONS OF THE CIVIL DISPUTE RESOLUTION BILL 2010
Background
On 23 June 2010, the Senate referred the provisions of the Civil Dispute Resolution Bill 2010 (Bill) to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 30 July 2010.
The Bill encouraged the resolution of civil disputes outside of the courts and sought to improve access to justice by focusing parties and their lawyers on the early resolution of disputes (by requiring parties to take 'genuine steps' to resolve a civil dispute before proceedings are able to be commenced in the Federal Court of Australia or the Federal Magistrates Court).
Conduct of the inquiry
The committee advertised the inquiry in The Australian newspaper on 30 June 2010 and 14 July 2010, and invited submissions by 30 July 2010 (the committee had indicated an intention to seek an extension of time to report in late August 2010). Details of the inquiry, the Bill and associated documents were placed on the committee's website. The committee also wrote to over 40 organisations and individuals.
The committee did not receive any submissions for this inquiry.
On 19 July 2010, the Governor-General prorogued the 42nd Parliament and dissolved the House of Representatives. Accordingly, the committee has resolved not to continue its inquiry into the provisions of the Bill. This decision is consistent with the approach to inquiries during elections adopted by other Senate committees. If the Bill is reintroduced in the new parliament, the Senate can again refer it to the committee for inquiry.
Senator Trish Crossin
Chair
For further information, contact:
Committee Secretary
Senate Standing Committees on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Australia