Dispute Settlements
| Divorce | Debts and Damages | Neighbour Disputes | Discrimination | Consumer Complaints | Govt Complaints | Unfair Dismissal | Complaints about Lawyers |
Divorce
The Federal Magistrates Court deals with applications for divorce. For an easy-to-use guide to the legal aspects of divorce and separation please read the relevant section in the Law Handbook found on the Legal Services Commission website www.lsc.sa.gov.au.
Debts and Damages
The Magistrates Court hears claims for damages as well as debts. Broadly speaking, damages are compensation for a loss suffered by one person as the result of another person's unlawful action or failure to act. A debt, however, is an amount that is owed by one person (the debtor) to another (creditor).
For more information on debts or damages claims, including how to make a demand for payment and how to make a claim visit the Legal Services Commission website (www.lsc.sa.gov.au) and read the relevant section of the Law Handbook.
Neighbour Disputes
Disputes between neighbours can arise over a number of issues and in a number of situations, ranging from arguments about the exact position of boundaries to complaints about noisy children.
For more information on neighbour disputes visit the Legal Services Commission website (www.lsc.sa.gov.au).
Discrimination
Most people at sometime in their life will feel they have been treated unfairly. Unfair treatment based on a person's; race, nationality, age, sex, sexuality, marital status or disability can be against the law. The Equal Opportunity Commission website (www.eoc.sa.gov.au) contains information for anyone who feels they have been treated unfairly or discriminated against on any of these grounds. It also explains what you can do to resolve the issue.
Consumer Complaints
If you buy, hire, or lease goods and services in South Australia you are entitled to a fair deal. The Office of Consumer and Business Affairs (OCBA) website www.ocba.sa.gov.au has a range of information your rights as a consumer as well as information on how to make a complaint.
OCBA can also assist with complaints where the goods and services are advertised and purchased in South Australia. For those outside South Australia please refer to your local consumer/business affairs agency.
OCBA also provides services to tenants and landlords/agents of residential properties and proprietors and residents of rooming houses in South Australia. (www.ocba.sa.gov.au/tenancies/)
Government Complaints
The South Australian Ombudsman (www.ombudsman.sa.gov.au)can assist you with your complaint about the administrative actions of a State government agency or authority, or local government council, and review government agencies’ decisions about Freedom of Information.
Unfair Dismissal
The SafeWork SA website(www.safework.sa.gov.au) can assist you with information about safe, fair and productive working environments for employers, employees, unions and industry representatives. SafeWork SA is responsible for administering industrial relations legislation and managing all occupational health, safety and welfare functions in our State (including some functions previously managed by WorkCover).
For more information on unfair dismissal and industrial relations and to download its booklet on this issue visit the SafeWork SA website www.safework.sa.gov.au.
Complaints about Lawyers
A person who is concerned about the conduct of a lawyer can complain in writing to the Legal Practitioners Conduct Board. If a complainant has difficulty with writing or with the English language, she or he may contact the Board for assistance.
Contact details and further information can be found on its website www.legalcomplaints.com.au.
