An unpaid invoice, a builder who left the job half-done, a deposit a trader won't refund, a faulty car, or a fence fight with a neighbour in Richmond or Motueka — these everyday civil problems in the Tasman region run on legal clocks that quietly expire. Under the Limitation Act 2010 most money claims must be filed within 6 years, and small disputes go to a fast, low-cost tribunal that doesn't even allow lawyers in the room. You don't have to guess where to start. A free AI legal assistant trained on New Zealand law can explain, in plain English, whether your dispute belongs in the Disputes Tribunal or the District Court, what your deadline is, and what to do next. We are not a law firm and this is general legal information, not legal advice — but it's a fast, free way to get your bearings. This service is live now on 0800 461 100.
Free legal information. Not legal advice. Available 24/7 across Tasman.
If someone owes you money or has breached an agreement in Tasman, the first question is which forum hears it — and the second is your deadline. Civil claims of up to $60,000 go to the Disputes Tribunal, a deliberately informal venue where lawyers are not allowed to represent either side, so you present your own case. Larger claims, up to $350,000, go to the District Court of New Zealand; anything above that goes to the High Court (which sits in nearby Nelson/Whakatū). The overriding clock is the Limitation Act 2010: a defendant has a complete defence if you file a money claim 6 years or more after the act or omission you are suing on, so don't sit on a debt or a defective-work claim. One important New Zealand difference: if your problem is a personal injury, you generally cannot sue for it at all — the ACC scheme replaces those lawsuits. Before you file anything or let a deadline slip, get free information on which path fits your facts.
On 24 January 2026 the Disputes Tribunal's limit jumped from $30,000 to $60,000, which means a lot of disputes that once had to go to the District Court — with its formality, cost and lawyers — can now be resolved in the cheaper, faster, lawyer-free Tribunal instead. That is a real change in what your options look like in the Tasman region, but it also creates confusion: people either undervalue a claim to squeeze it into the old $30,000 cap, or assume any size of dispute can go to the Tribunal when claims over $60,000 still belong in the District Court. Getting the forum right at the start saves time and filing fees, and getting it wrong can mean starting over. Before you file in Richmond, Nelson or online, get free information on which path actually fits your dispute and how much it will cost.
If you can't afford a lawyer, the Tasman region has free and low-cost help. Community Law and the Citizens Advice Bureau give free initial guidance, and government-funded legal aid may cover some civil matters if you qualify. These are independent resources, not part of our service; the hotline can help you work out which one fits and what to ask.
Someone owes me money in Tasman — where do I take the claim?
It depends on the amount. If it's $60,000 or less, the Disputes Tribunal is usually the best venue — it's fast, low-cost, informal, and no lawyers represent either side. Above $60,000 (up to $350,000) the claim goes to the District Court of New Zealand, which for Tasman sits at Nelson/Whakatū. Keep the 6-year Limitation Act deadline in mind. Call 0800 461 100 any hour for free information on the right path for your situation.
How much can the Disputes Tribunal deal with now?
As of 24 January 2026 the Disputes Tribunal can hear claims worth up to $60,000 — doubled from the previous $30,000 limit by the Disputes Tribunal Amendment Act 2025. It handles debts, faulty goods and services, consumer guarantee and contract disputes, and property damage. A Referee decides, hearings are private and informal, and filing fees rise with the size of the claim. The hotline can explain whether your dispute fits.
Can I bring a lawyer to the Disputes Tribunal?
Generally no — and that's by design. The Disputes Tribunal Act 1988 does not allow either party to be represented by a lawyer at the hearing, so the process stays accessible and you present your own case to the Referee. You can still get advice beforehand to prepare. For free information on how to get ready and what evidence to bring, call the hotline on 0800 461 100.
How long do I have to bring a civil claim in New Zealand?
For most money claims, the Limitation Act 2010 gives the other side a complete defence once 6 years have passed from the act or omission you are suing on. There's a 'late knowledge' extension of 3 years from when you reasonably could have found out, capped by a 15-year longstop. The lesson is simple: don't sit on a dispute. Get free information early so you don't lose a good claim to the clock.
Which court serves the Tasman region?
The District Court and High Court of New Zealand that serve Tasman sit at Nelson/Whakatū, 200 Bridge Street, Nelson — the nearest complex for Richmond, Motueka and Tākaka. The Disputes Tribunal can be used online and by phone hearing for smaller claims. Note the Nelson courthouse was temporarily closed in early 2025 for seismic strengthening and reopened in June 2025; confirm current arrangements on 0800 COURTS (0800 268 787).
I was injured in an accident — can I sue for compensation?
Usually not in the way people expect. New Zealand's accident compensation scheme replaces most personal-injury lawsuits: under section 317 of the Accident Compensation Act 2001 you generally cannot sue for compensatory damages for a personal injury covered by ACC. Instead you claim ACC entitlements — treatment, rehabilitation and weekly compensation. Knowing this early avoids wasting time on a court case that can't run. The hotline can point you in the right direction.
My builder or tradesperson did a bad job — what are my rights?
Under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, services must be carried out with reasonable care and skill, and you can seek repair, a price reduction, or compensation when they aren't. If the trader won't make good, the Disputes Tribunal (for claims up to $60,000) can order them to fix it or pay the cost of getting it done elsewhere. Keep your contract, quotes, photos and messages. Get free information on the strongest way to put your claim.
A business misled me — is that something I can act on?
Yes. The Fair Trading Act 1986 prohibits misleading or deceptive conduct and false claims by businesses, and you may recover the loss you suffered from being misled. Serious or widespread conduct can also be reported to the Commerce Commission, which is separate from your own claim for your loss. The Disputes Tribunal or District Court can hear your claim depending on its size. The hotline can explain your options.
What does the free hotline actually do, and is it a law firm?
No — we are not a law firm. The hotline lets you speak with a free AI assistant trained on New Zealand law that gives you general legal information: which forum fits your dispute, your deadlines, and your next steps. It is not legal advice and creates no lawyer-client relationship. If you want a lawyer, we can help you arrange a paid consultation with a New Zealand-qualified civil lawyer — with no obligation.
Do I have to go to a hearing, or can disputes settle first?
Many disputes settle before a hearing. It's often expected — and sensible — to put your complaint and your demand in writing first, which can resolve things without a Referee or judge. The Disputes Tribunal also encourages the parties to reach agreement at the start of a hearing. Documenting your position clearly strengthens your hand either way. For free information on how to frame your written demand, call the hotline on 0800 461 100.
We connect people across the Tasman region and wider New Zealand who are facing debts, consumer disputes, contract problems, Fair Trading and Consumer Guarantees Act claims, and Disputes Tribunal and District Court matters with lawyers who can help. If you're a New Zealand-qualified civil lawyer and want vetted client referrals from people who've already had their issue triaged, we'd like to hear from you. Reach out to ask about joining our referral network — a separate path from the free client hotline.
General legal information, not legal advice. We research every page from primary sources — legislation, the courts, and government legal-aid bodies — and check it for accuracy. Spotted something out of date? Tell us at admin@platfirm.ai.
Whether it's an unpaid debt, a faulty job, a contract gone wrong or a consumer rip-off, civil disputes in the Tasman region run on real deadlines — most money claims expire after 6 years under the Limitation Act 2010, and getting the right forum (the $60,000 Disputes Tribunal or the District Court at Nelson) matters from day one. You don't need money, a lawyer, or a web form to understand where you stand. This free service is live now on 0800 461 100: a free AI legal assistant trained on New Zealand law, available to explain your options in plain English. We are not a law firm; it's general legal information, not legal advice, and it creates no lawyer-client relationship — just the clarity you need to act before the clock closes.
Free legal information. Not legal advice.