2010

The Parliament of the

Commonwealth of Australia

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Presented and read a first time

Civil Dispute Resolution Bill 2010

No.      , 2010

(Attorney-General)

A Bill for an Act relating to the resolution of civil disputes, and for related purposes

Contents

Part 1—Preliminary                                                                                                              1

1............ Short title............................................................................................. 1

2............ Commencement................................................................................... 1

3............ Object of Act....................................................................................... 2

4............ Genuine steps to resolve a dispute...................................................... 2

5............ Definitions.......................................................................................... 3

Part 2—Obligation to take genuine steps to resolve disputes before proceedings are instituted                5

6............ Genuine steps statement to be filed by applicant................................. 5

7............ Genuine steps statement to be filed by respondent.............................. 5

8............ Genuine steps statements must comply with Rules of Court............... 6

9............ Duty of lawyers to advise people of the requirements of this Act....... 6

10.......... Effect of requirements of this Part....................................................... 6

Part 3—Powers of court                                                                                                     7

11.......... Court may have regard to genuine steps requirements in exercising powers and performing functions   7

12.......... Exercising discretion to award costs................................................... 7

13.......... Powers are in addition to powers under other Acts............................. 7

14.......... Relationship with section 131 of the Evidence Act............................. 8

Part 4—Exclusions                                                                                                                 9

15.......... Proceedings of certain kinds are excluded proceedings....................... 9

16.......... Proceedings under certain Acts are excluded proceedings................ 10

17.......... Proceedings prescribed by the regulations are excluded proceedings 10

Part 5—Other matters                                                                                                        11

18.......... Rules of Court................................................................................... 11

19.......... Regulations....................................................................................... 11

A Bill for an Act relating to the resolution of civil disputes, and for related purposes

The Parliament of Australia enacts: