The Commission was given the reference following increasing complaints that access to the Small Claims Tribunal was restricted to a very narrow range of litigants and did not address the needs of a significant section of the commercial community.
Terms of Reference
In 1976 the Commission was asked to examine the desirability of expanding the jurisdiction of the Small Claims Tribunal into a comprehensive Small Debts Court or of making some other special provision for the hearing of claims in respect of small debts.
Outcomes
The Commission’s recommendations were legislatively implemented by the Local Courts Amendment Act 1982 (WA).
