ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT) - Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

scott M.

Total waste of time. We attended ACTAS to settle a civil dispute for unfinished renovations that were meant to be completed in October 2023.

The respondent in this matter didn’t even turn up for the hearing and who instead sent his lawyer who told us at the very beginning they were not there to settle. The ACTAS Member overseeing this matter stumbled her way through the hearing only to continually seek guidance from the respondents Lawyer.

The ACAT Member then referred the matter to the ACT Tribunal after citing a number of requirements that she wanted completed prior which would cost us another $15,000. ACTAS was originally sold to me that it was a place to resolve small claims matters on an even playing field and without the cost of Lawyers etc. IT IS NOT!

James S.

I think I had an extremely biased interaction in 2023 with Snr. Member Daniel Stewart who opened the session with "I'm not even going to pretend I read this [my submission which I'd prepared]".

Justice appears to operate on bias and prejudice indeed.

I would think that most people shouldn't expect justice out of ACAT.

It's expensive, but pay for a lawyer. And in my humble opinion, avoid Snr Member Stewart as much as you can. I think his conduct was incredibly unprofessional and unbecoming.

Matt I.

They let professional mechanics lies cloud there Judgment!
I lost 20 thousands dollars and my vehicle + 3yrs of my life of enjoyment.

Nicole A.

And landlords get away with a mould infested house and stating that the tenants should have been responsible for dealing with it, despite it making us sick.

The mould WAS IN THE INCOMING REPORT, yet we're supposedly to blame as it just got worse over time even though we reported it again and again and again and got shot down and belittled.

The ACAT member deliberately cherry picked evidence without a balanced perspective on the issues presented. Apparently my doctor was supposed to come to my house and inspect the mould... like really?. Genuinely felt like we were ignored again.

Cecilia L.

She, a deputy registrar, dismissed my appeal without processing it, as if she is being paid to just dismiss the case. What an easy job!

Ben S.

Pretty underwhelming and informal rental dispute process. The remediator tries to pressure and rush a decision so they don't have to process further. If you're a tenant, don't let them pressure you, stand your ground and make sure you have evidence available.

Not a fun job for them working there though to be fair.

Juan Q.

Whilst the member ruled in my favour the whole experience of dealing with ACAT was riddle with having to put up with rude and unprofessional behaviour with just about everyone that works there. Almost everyone that works there is rude, obnoxious and unprofessional including the members themselves. The ruling was only 90% in my favour when the other party was 100% at fault. How does that work?

Ting L.

Remember , there were lies in those unrecorded meetings. Their objective is less hearing rate and settle the disputes as early as possible by whatever means.

Former presidential member Bill Stefaniac deceived me into accepting his mediation by lying about the rules with very aggressive and rude attitudes. That's his strategy to solve the disputes. Both the former ACAT president and Attorney-General replied there were nothing they can do about it when complaints were made. How Pathetic!

The former team only thing ACAT cares is to decrease hearing rate and they