Property damages dispute not caused by a motor vehicle accident

Property damage is loss suffered as a result of damage to property other than a motor vehicle. For example, damage to clothing, luggage or other property.

If you are claiming less than $12,000 or an order for work of the value of less than $12,000, the minor civil rules and costs scale will generally apply and a lawyer will not be able to represent you at the trial (subject to some exceptions).

What you need

If your claim is filed in the Magistrates Court –

• If the claim is for the cost of repair to your property, and –
  • the repairs are yet to be completed - a detailed quote from a repairer showing the cost of the repair of the property; or
  • the repairs have been completed – a detailed invoice of the costs of the property.
• If the claim is for the loss of your property – evidence of the value of the property, being at least a valuation by a valuer or loss adjuster.
• If you are claiming for the cost of hiring property while your property was being repaired or replaced – and invoice showing a detailed breakdown of the cost of hire.
• If you are claiming any other costs you have had to pay as a result of the loss of your property – detailed invoices showing a breakdown of these costs.

If you are claiming $12,000 or less or the claim is not genuinely contestable you can either:

• Enter a summary of your claim into the form (less than 100 words); or
• Complete Form 1S Statement of Claim uploaded with Claim

If you are claiming more than $12,000 and you believe your claim is genuinely contestable you must complete Form 1S Statement of Claim uploaded with Claim. You will need to provide the details of your dispute, including:

• The amount of money you are claiming
• The date(s) of the dispute
• Why you believe the other person owes you the money
• The correct names and addresses of all parties involved
• To answer all the questions marked with an asterisk ( * )

The cost

You will need to pay a fee for lodging this form using a credit/debit card.

See the Civil Court fees page for more information.

Before you begin

You may be required to file and serve file a final notice or serve a pre-action claim or pre-action notice of intention to commence an action before filing the claim or application. For more information click here for the Uniform Civil Rules.

How to lodge a property damages dispute not caused by a motor vehicle accident

Steps:

1. Log in to CourtSA
2. Select "Start a new case" in the drop down field
3. Then "Yes" if you know what you would like to do
4. Select "Claim" in the case type drop down field
5. Read the information in the blue information box then click the "Lodge a claim" button
6. On the form when asked "What is your main claim type?", select "Property Damage" and the subtype "Property Damage - Other"
7. Complete the form and click proceed
8. Upload your Form 1S (if required)
9. Complete the online payment process
10. Once your claim has been paid for, you will receive a receipt confirmation
11. To view your claim document once it is approved, go to "My Cases" and click on the "My existing cases" tab
12. Select the "View Case" in the Action column
13. The summary screen will display a case details panel and parties panel
14. To download and print a copy of your Claim to serve, click the "Documents" tab and then the Claim hyperlink within the Filed Documents panel

What happens next

Your claim will be automatically approved (unless you are a self-represented litigant in the District or Supreme Courts).

Using the information you provided, CourtSA will generate the following:

• A sealed Form 1 Claim (with Form 1S Statement of Claim Uploaded with Claim if uploaded)
• Multilingual Notice
• A Form 34 Notice to Party Served - Interstate (if one of the Respondents has an interstate address)
• A Form 35 Notice to Party Served - New Zealand (if one of the Respondents has a New Zealand address)

You will receive an email from CourtSA letting you know the forms listed above are available on CourtSA along with information about what happens next.

If you are a self-represented litigant in the District or Supreme Courts

If you are a self-represented litigant in the District or Supreme Courts, you will receive an email from CourtSA letting you know that your claim has been received for review by the Court.

If it is accepted for filing:

CourtSA will generate the forms listed above. You will receive an email from CourtSA letting you know that your claim has been approved, and that the forms listed above are available on CourtSA.

If it is rejected:

You will receive an email from CourtSA explaining why your claim was rejected and your lodgement fee will be refunded to the credit/debit card you used to pay.