XN000022-1988-06-29 — Page 7

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1988

THESE

WAS

FOR

MOST

WITH

FROM

AS REGARDS THE 18 TO 21 YEAR-OLD AGE GROUP, WHICH PURPOSES THE MOST IMPORTANT BECAUSE THEY WERE THE ECONOMICALLY ACTIVE OF THOSE AFFECTED, THE EFFECT OF PROCEEDING THE REPEAL OF SECTION 46 NOW WOULD BE TO CONFER EXEMPTION LIABILITY BUT THEN TAKE IT AWAY AGAIN WITHIN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS OR 30 WHEN THE REPORT'S RECOMMENDATION ABOUT AGE OF MAJORITY IMPLEMENTED,

WAS

"TO CHANGE THE LAW ON SUCH AN IMPORTANT POINT TWICE IN SUCH SHORT TIME WOULD CREATE UNCERTAINTY AND CONFUSION, MR MATHEWS SAID.

A

ITS

THE

HOWEVER, IF SECTION 46 WAS NEITHER REPEALED NOR AMENDED SCOPE WOULD INCREASE WITH THE INCREASE WHICH THE BILL EFFECTED IN DISTRICT COURT'S JURISDICTION, SO THAT IN FUTURE IT WOULD APPLY IN CASES UP TO $120,000 INSTEAD OF $60,000.

MR MATHEWS SAID THIS WOULD BE A MOVE IN A DIRECTION CONTRARY TO THAT ALREADY DECIDED UPON FOR THE UNDER-18 AGE GROUP.

"THE GOVERNMENT THEREFORE PROPOSES THAT THE SCOPE OF SECTION 46 SHOULD BE HELD AT ITS PRESENT LEVEL, THAT 18, WHERE THE AMOUNT CLAIMED IS $60,000 OR LESS,' HE SAID.

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THIS WOULD SERVE AS AN INTERIM MEASURE UNTIL LEGISLATION WAS BROUGHT FORWARD, HOPEFULLY WITHIN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS, ΤΟ IMPLEMENT THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION'S REPORT ON A BROADER BASIS, INCLUDING REPEAL OF SECTION 46.

THE

REDUCING THE COST OF JUSTICE

1988

THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) BILL WAS ANOTHER POSITIVE STEP TOWARDS IMPROVING THE PRACTICAL ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE, DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

INCREASE THE $15,000 AND DR IP SAID

WHEN

SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL, WHICH WOULD MONETARY JURISDICTION OF THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL то THAT OF THE DISTRICT COURT IN CIVIL MATTERS TO $120,000, THE AMENDMENTS SERVED TO REDUCE THE COSTS THE PUBLIC HAD TO BEAR SEEKING JUSTICE.

DR IP SAID DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE THAT THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL HAD MUCH TO OFFER THE PUBLIC BECAUSE IT PROVIDED A MUCH CHEAPER LEGAL PROCEDURE FOR DEALING WITH DISPUTES.

"FIRSTLY, LEGAL