If you receive a letter from SACAT naming you as a respondent to a case at SACAT, this means that an application has been made against you.
What is a respondent?
A respondent is a person, organisation or corporation which has had an application made against them.
The person, organisation or corporation who has made the application is known as 'the applicant'.
If you are named as a respondent in an application, this means that the applicant has a dispute with you, and they have applied to SACAT to resolve this dispute.
This can be done either through an agreement at a conference, conciliation or mediation, or through a decision of the Tribunal at a formal hearing.
What you will receive from SACAT
If you have been named as a respondent to an application, SACAT will send you a letter (called a 'Notice') together with a copy of the application against you and any supporting documents given to SACAT by the applicant.
The Notice will tell you things like:
- the type of application that has been made against you
- if you are required to attend a conference, directions hearing or final hearing
- the date, time and place of that conference or hearing
- the information or documents you need to provide to respond to the application.
The type of conference or hearing you are required to attend and the type of information you need to provide will depend on the issue being resolved.
If you are given notice to attend a conference or hearing, you should familiarise yourself with how to prepare for a hearing at SACAT.
Why did SACAT accept this application?
SACAT must accept and process all applications that are received within its jurisdiction.
SACAT's jurisdiction is the specific areas of law where it can help people resolve issues, or where it can make a formal decision after a hearing - for example, a decision about a residential tenancy dispute or a guardianship order.
Find out more about the types of matters SACAT can resolve.
