This regulation sets rules for how money and securities lodged in court are paid, held, invested, credited with interest and released, and when dormant court monies may be moved to the government consolidated fund. It affects litigants, solicitors, registrars and the chief executive: payers must file affidavits when lodging funds (s.6); registrars and the chief executive handle receipts, remittances and information requests (ss.5,8,24). Interest is the RBA cash rate plus 0.5% (s.13).
The Civil Proceedings Regulation 2024 sets out a statutory framework for how money and securities lodged in court are to be handled, credited, invested, recorded, paid out, and, where inactive, transferred to the consolidated fund. Mechanically the regulation:
Commences on 1 September 2024 (sec 2) and is cited as the Civil Proceedings Regulation 2024 (sec 1).
Requires payments into court and deposits of securities to be made to or with the registrar (sec 5).
Compels the person making a payment or deposit to file a prescribed affidavit with specified contents (sec 6).
Requires the registrar to issue a receipt that identifies the payer and the proceeding or account credited (sec 7) and to remit received money to the chief executive for payment into the court suitors fund, and to notify the chief executive of deposited securities (sec 8).
Provides rules for interest on money held in court, including the applicable rate (Reserve Bank of Australia official cash rate plus 0.5%, sec 13), the mechanics of accrual (monthly on a minimum monthly balance, rounding, conditions for accrual, sec 14), and the timing and frequency for calculating and crediting interest (within 15 days after each half-year; and before payout, sec 15).
Directs treatment of interest accrued on securities (chief executive must pay interest into the court suitors fund and credit the originating proceeding or account, unless the court orders otherwise, sec 9).
Allocates certain administrative uses of interest not credited to proceedings (chief executive may use excess interest to make good deficiencies or pay administrative expenses, sec 16).
Creates processes for dealing with money or securities in court when a court order directs a particular dealing or payment (registrar must be given copy of the order; registrar then forwards to the chief executive; chief executive must comply, sec 10; payments include interest unless the court orders otherwise, sec 11; securities acquired with court money are credited to the same proceeding unless court orders otherwise, sec 12).
Current sections
Direct links to the current provisions in Civil Proceedings Regulation 2024.
52
pt.1
Preliminary
Preliminary
sec.1
Short title
sec.1 Short title
This regulation may be cited as the Civil Proceedings Regulation 2024 .
sec.2
Commencement
sec.2 Commencement
This regulation commences on 1 September 2024.
sec.3
Dictionary
sec.3 Dictionary
The dictionary in schedule 1 defines particular words used in this regulation.
pt.2
Court funds
Court funds
pt.2-div.1
Paying money or depositing securities into court
Paying money or depositing securities into court
sec.4
References to payments or deposits into court
sec.4 References to payments or deposits into court
In this division—
a reference to paying an amount into court is a reference to paying an amount into court under a law or a court order; and
a reference to depositing securities into court is a reference to depositing securities into court under a law or a court order.
(a) a reference to paying an amount into court is a reference to paying an amount into court under a law or a court order; and
(b) a reference to depositing securities into court is a reference to depositing securities into court under a law or a court order.
sec.5
Payment or deposit to be made to or with registrar
sec.5 Payment or deposit to be made to or with registrar
An amount to be paid into court must be paid to the registrar.
Securities to be deposited into court must be deposited with the registrar.
(sec.5-ssec.1) An amount to be paid into court must be paid to the registrar.
(sec.5-ssec.2) Securities to be deposited into court must be deposited with the registrar.
sec.6
Affidavit to be filed for payment or deposit
sec.6 Affidavit to be filed for payment or deposit
If a person pays an amount into court or deposits securities into court, the person must file an affidavit in the court.
The affidavit must—
state the name of the person by or for whom the payment or deposit is made; and
state—
for a payment—the amount; or
for a deposit—the number and face value of the securities; and
state the way the payment or deposit is made; and
either—
for a payment or deposit made under a law—specify the law, including the provision of the law; or
for a payment or deposit made under a court order—include, as an exhibit, a copy of the order; and
briefly describe the circumstances in which the payment or deposit is made; and
ask the registrar to receive the money or securities.
If the person files an affidavit but the registrar considers it does not give enough information about the payment or deposit, the registrar may, by written notice, require the person to file another affidavit giving further stated information relating to the payment or deposit.
The person must comply with the requirement.
A requirement under this section is in addition to any requirement under rules of court or another law to file, serve or give an affidavit or other document relating to the payment or deposit.
(sec.6-ssec.1) If a person pays an amount into court or deposits securities into court, the person must file an affidavit in the court.
(sec.6-ssec.2) The affidavit must— state the name of the person by or for whom the payment or deposit is made; and state— for a payment—the amount; or for a deposit—the number and face value of the securities; and state the way the payment or deposit is made; and either— for a payment or deposit made under a law—specify the law, including the provision of the law; or for a payment or deposit made under a court order—include, as an exhibit, a copy of the order; and briefly describe the circumstances in which the payment or deposit is made; and ask the registrar to receive the money or securities.
(sec.6-ssec.3) If the person files an affidavit but the registrar considers it does not give enough information about the payment or deposit, the registrar may, by written notice, require the person to file another affidavit giving further stated information relating to the payment or deposit.
(sec.6-ssec.4) The person must comply with the requirement.
(a) state the name of the person by or for whom the payment or deposit is made; and
(b) state— (i) for a payment—the amount; or (ii) for a deposit—the number and face value of the securities; and
(i) for a payment—the amount; or
(ii) for a deposit—the number and face value of the securities; and
(c) state the way the payment or deposit is made; and
(d) either— (i) for a payment or deposit made under a law—specify the law, including the provision of the law; or (ii) for a payment or deposit made under a court order—include, as an exhibit, a copy of the order; and
(i) for a payment or deposit made under a law—specify the law, including the provision of the law; or
(ii) for a payment or deposit made under a court order—include, as an exhibit, a copy of the order; and
(e) briefly describe the circumstances in which the payment or deposit is made; and
(f) ask the registrar to receive the money or securities.
(i) for a payment—the amount; or
(ii) for a deposit—the number and face value of the securities; and
(i) for a payment or deposit made under a law—specify the law, including the provision of the law; or
(ii) for a payment or deposit made under a court order—include, as an exhibit, a copy of the order; and
sec.7
Receipt for money or securities
sec.7 Receipt for money or securities
The registrar must issue a receipt for an amount paid into court or securities deposited into court.
The receipt must—
state the name of the person by or for whom the payment or deposit was made; and
identify the proceeding or account to which the payment or deposit has been credited; and
state—
for a payment—the amount; or
for a deposit—a description of the securities.
(sec.7-ssec.1) The registrar must issue a receipt for an amount paid into court or securities deposited into court.
(sec.7-ssec.2) The receipt must— state the name of the person by or for whom the payment or deposit was made; and identify the proceeding or account to which the payment or deposit has been credited; and state— for a payment—the amount; or for a deposit—a description of the securities.
(a) state the name of the person by or for whom the payment or deposit was made; and
(b) identify the proceeding or account to which the payment or deposit has been credited; and
(c) state— (i) for a payment—the amount; or (ii) for a deposit—a description of the securities.
(i) for a payment—the amount; or
(ii) for a deposit—a description of the securities.
(i) for a payment—the amount; or
(ii) for a deposit—a description of the securities.
sec.8
Registrar to remit amounts received or notify securities deposited
sec.8 Registrar to remit amounts received or notify securities deposited
As soon as practicable after an amount is paid into court, the registrar must remit the amount to the chief executive for payment into the court suitors fund.
As soon as practicable after securities are deposited into court, the registrar must give written notice of the deposit to the chief executive.
(sec.8-ssec.1) As soon as practicable after an amount is paid into court, the registrar must remit the amount to the chief executive for payment into the court suitors fund.
(sec.8-ssec.2) As soon as practicable after securities are deposited into court, the registrar must give written notice of the deposit to the chief executive.
pt.2-div.2
Dealing with interest received on securities in court
Dealing with interest received on securities in court
sec.9
Payment of interest into fund
sec.9 Payment of interest into fund
This section applies if the chief executive receives an amount of interest that has accrued on securities in court.
Unless a court orders otherwise, the chief executive must—
pay the amount into the court suitors fund; and
credit the proceeding or account for which the securities are deposited with the amount of the interest.
(sec.9-ssec.1) This section applies if the chief executive receives an amount of interest that has accrued on securities in court.
(sec.9-ssec.2) Unless a court orders otherwise, the chief executive must— pay the amount into the court suitors fund; and credit the proceeding or account for which the securities are deposited with the amount of the interest.
(a) pay the amount into the court suitors fund; and
(b) credit the proceeding or account for which the securities are deposited with the amount of the interest.
pt.2-div.3
Dealing with money or securities in court
Dealing with money or securities in court
sec.10
Court order about payment or other dealing
sec.10 Court order about payment or other dealing
This section applies if a person obtains a court order that money in court or securities in court be dealt with in a particular way or that the chief executive make a particular payment.
The person must give a copy of the order to the registrar.
On receiving the copy, the registrar must give a copy to the chief executive.
On receiving the copy, the chief executive must deal with the money in court or securities in court, or make the payment, in accordance with the court order.
In this section—
dealt with means paid, invested or sold.
(sec.10-ssec.1) This section applies if a person obtains a court order that money in court or securities in court be dealt with in a particular way or that the chief executive make a particular payment.
(sec.10-ssec.2) The person must give a copy of the order to the registrar.
(sec.10-ssec.3) On receiving the copy, the registrar must give a copy to the chief executive.
(sec.10-ssec.4) On receiving the copy, the chief executive must deal with the money in court or securities in court, or make the payment, in accordance with the court order.
(sec.10-ssec.5) In this section— dealt with means paid, invested or sold.
sec.11
Court order to pay money or securities in court includes interest
sec.11 Court order to pay money or securities in court includes interest
This section applies if a court orders money in court or securities in court to be paid to a person.
Unless the court orders otherwise, the amount or securities to be paid to the person includes any interest accrued on the money in court or securities in court.
(sec.11-ssec.1) This section applies if a court orders money in court or securities in court to be paid to a person.
(sec.11-ssec.2) Unless the court orders otherwise, the amount or securities to be paid to the person includes any interest accrued on the money in court or securities in court.
sec.12
Securities acquired using money or securities in court
sec.12 Securities acquired using money or securities in court
This section applies if securities are acquired using money in court or securities in court.
Unless a court orders otherwise, the chief executive must credit the acquired securities to the same proceeding or account to which the money in court or securities in court are credited.
(sec.12-ssec.1) This section applies if securities are acquired using money in court or securities in court.
(sec.12-ssec.2) Unless a court orders otherwise, the chief executive must credit the acquired securities to the same proceeding or account to which the money in court or securities in court are credited.
pt.2-div.4
Interest payable on money in court
Interest payable on money in court
sec.13
Interest rate
sec.13 Interest rate
The interest rate applying to money in court is the Reserve Bank of Australia’s official cash rate plus 0.5%.
sec.14
Accrual of interest on money in court
sec.14 Accrual of interest on money in court
Interest accrues on the money in court credited to a proceeding or account as follows—
interest accrues at the rate applying under section 13 ;
interest accrues each month on the minimum monthly balance of the proceeding or account;
for paragraph (b) , the minimum monthly balance is rounded down to the nearest whole dollar amount;
interest accrues for a month only if there is an amount credited to the proceeding or account on every day of the month;
Interest does not accrue for a month if, after the first day of the month, an amount is paid into court and credited to the proceeding or account for the first time.
interest does not accrue for a month during which the entire amount credited to the proceeding or account is paid out of the court suitors fund.
(a) interest accrues at the rate applying under section 13 ;
(b) interest accrues each month on the minimum monthly balance of the proceeding or account;
(c) for paragraph (b) , the minimum monthly balance is rounded down to the nearest whole dollar amount;
(d) interest accrues for a month only if there is an amount credited to the proceeding or account on every day of the month; Example— Interest does not accrue for a month if, after the first day of the month, an amount is paid into court and credited to the proceeding or account for the first time.
(e) interest does not accrue for a month during which the entire amount credited to the proceeding or account is paid out of the court suitors fund.
sec.15
Calculation and crediting of interest
sec.15 Calculation and crediting of interest
Within 15 days after the end of each half-year, the chief executive must, for each proceeding or account to which money in court is credited—
calculate the interest that accrued during the half year on the amount of the money in court; and
credit the proceeding or account with the amount of the interest.
Before paying an amount of money in court credited to a proceeding or account to a person entitled to it, the chief executive must—
calculate the interest that accrued on the amount since interest was last calculated and credited to the proceeding or account under subsection (1) ; and
credit the proceeding or account with the amount of the interest.
In this section—
half year means a period of 6 months ending on 30 June or 31 December in a year.
(sec.15-ssec.1) Within 15 days after the end of each half-year, the chief executive must, for each proceeding or account to which money in court is credited— calculate the interest that accrued during the half year on the amount of the money in court; and credit the proceeding or account with the amount of the interest.
(sec.15-ssec.2) Before paying an amount of money in court credited to a proceeding or account to a person entitled to it, the chief executive must— calculate the interest that accrued on the amount since interest was last calculated and credited to the proceeding or account under subsection (1) ; and credit the proceeding or account with the amount of the interest.
(sec.15-ssec.3) In this section— half year means a period of 6 months ending on 30 June or 31 December in a year.
(a) calculate the interest that accrued during the half year on the amount of the money in court; and
(b) credit the proceeding or account with the amount of the interest.
(a) calculate the interest that accrued on the amount since interest was last calculated and credited to the proceeding or account under subsection (1) ; and
(b) credit the proceeding or account with the amount of the interest.
sec.16
Use of excess interest
sec.16 Use of excess interest
The chief executive may use an amount of interest earned by the court suitors fund that is not credited to any proceeding or account—
to make good any deficiency in the fund arising from an administrative error or in another way; or
to pay an expense incurred in administering the fund.
(a) to make good any deficiency in the fund arising from an administrative error or in another way; or
(b) to pay an expense incurred in administering the fund.
pt.2-div.5
Payment of money or securities out of court
Payment of money or securities out of court
sec.17
Payment of amount awarded as costs after paying outstanding fees
sec.17 Payment of amount awarded as costs after paying outstanding fees
This section applies if a court orders an amount of costs to be ascertained and then paid to a person out of money in court.
The chief executive must pay the amount to the person under the order to the extent of the balance of the relevant proceeding or account.
However, if the person has not paid a fee payable by the person to the registrar in relation to the proceeding, the chief executive must—
if the amount of the unpaid fee is not more than the amount payable under subsection (2) —
retain the amount of the unpaid fee and remit it to the registrar in payment of the fee; and
pay the balance of the amount payable under subsection (2) to the person; or
if the amount of the unpaid fee is more than the amount payable under subsection (2) —retain the amount payable under subsection (2) and remit it to the registrar in partial payment of the fee.
(sec.17-ssec.1) This section applies if a court orders an amount of costs to be ascertained and then paid to a person out of money in court.
(sec.17-ssec.2) The chief executive must pay the amount to the person under the order to the extent of the balance of the relevant proceeding or account.
(sec.17-ssec.3) However, if the person has not paid a fee payable by the person to the registrar in relation to the proceeding, the chief executive must— if the amount of the unpaid fee is not more than the amount payable under subsection (2) — retain the amount of the unpaid fee and remit it to the registrar in payment of the fee; and pay the balance of the amount payable under subsection (2) to the person; or if the amount of the unpaid fee is more than the amount payable under subsection (2) —retain the amount payable under subsection (2) and remit it to the registrar in partial payment of the fee.
(a) if the amount of the unpaid fee is not more than the amount payable under subsection (2) — (i) retain the amount of the unpaid fee and remit it to the registrar in payment of the fee; and (ii) pay the balance of the amount payable under subsection (2) to the person; or
(i) retain the amount of the unpaid fee and remit it to the registrar in payment of the fee; and
(ii) pay the balance of the amount payable under subsection (2) to the person; or
(b) if the amount of the unpaid fee is more than the amount payable under subsection (2) —retain the amount payable under subsection (2) and remit it to the registrar in partial payment of the fee.
(i) retain the amount of the unpaid fee and remit it to the registrar in payment of the fee; and
(ii) pay the balance of the amount payable under subsection (2) to the person; or
sec.18
Payment if person named in court order has died
sec.18 Payment if person named in court order has died
This section applies if—
a court orders money in court or securities in court to be paid to a person; and
the order is to pay the person in the person’s own right or for the person’s own use, and not to pay the person as a trustee or personal representative; and
the person dies before the payment is made; and
the court does not, in that court order or any other court order of which a copy has been given to the registrar, state how payment is to be made if the person dies before payment is made; and
for an order that named the person other than as a creditor—the registrar is satisfied the person died after the order was made.
The chief executive may pay the money or securities under the court order to the person’s personal representative.
(sec.18-ssec.1) This section applies if— a court orders money in court or securities in court to be paid to a person; and the order is to pay the person in the person’s own right or for the person’s own use, and not to pay the person as a trustee or personal representative; and the person dies before the payment is made; and the court does not, in that court order or any other court order of which a copy has been given to the registrar, state how payment is to be made if the person dies before payment is made; and for an order that named the person other than as a creditor—the registrar is satisfied the person died after the order was made.
(sec.18-ssec.2) The chief executive may pay the money or securities under the court order to the person’s personal representative.
(a) a court orders money in court or securities in court to be paid to a person; and
(b) the order is to pay the person in the person’s own right or for the person’s own use, and not to pay the person as a trustee or personal representative; and
(c) the person dies before the payment is made; and
(d) the court does not, in that court order or any other court order of which a copy has been given to the registrar, state how payment is to be made if the person dies before payment is made; and
(e) for an order that named the person other than as a creditor—the registrar is satisfied the person died after the order was made.
sec.19
Payment if personal representative has died
sec.19 Payment if personal representative has died
This section applies if—
a court orders money in court or securities in court to be paid to 2 or more persons as the personal representatives of a person; and
any of the personal representatives dies before the payment is made; and
the registrar is satisfied the personal representative died after the order was made.
The chief executive may pay the money or securities under the court order to the surviving personal representative or representatives.
(sec.19-ssec.1) This section applies if— a court orders money in court or securities in court to be paid to 2 or more persons as the personal representatives of a person; and any of the personal representatives dies before the payment is made; and the registrar is satisfied the personal representative died after the order was made.
(sec.19-ssec.2) The chief executive may pay the money or securities under the court order to the surviving personal representative or representatives.
(a) a court orders money in court or securities in court to be paid to 2 or more persons as the personal representatives of a person; and
(b) any of the personal representatives dies before the payment is made; and
(c) the registrar is satisfied the personal representative died after the order was made.
sec.20
Intestacy involving net estate assets of not more than $2,000
sec.20 Intestacy involving net estate assets of not more than $2,000
This section applies if—
a court orders money in court or securities in court to be paid to a person; and
the person dies before the payment is made; and
the person’s net estate assets, including the money or securities, are not more than $2,000; and
the registrar is satisfied the person died intestate.
The chief executive may pay the money or securities under the court order to a spouse, child, sibling or parent of the deceased person who—
is entitled to apply for letters of administration of the deceased person’s estate; and
files an affidavit in the court stating the facts relied on.
(sec.20-ssec.1) This section applies if— a court orders money in court or securities in court to be paid to a person; and the person dies before the payment is made; and the person’s net estate assets, including the money or securities, are not more than $2,000; and the registrar is satisfied the person died intestate.
(sec.20-ssec.2) The chief executive may pay the money or securities under the court order to a spouse, child, sibling or parent of the deceased person who— is entitled to apply for letters of administration of the deceased person’s estate; and files an affidavit in the court stating the facts relied on.
(a) a court orders money in court or securities in court to be paid to a person; and
(b) the person dies before the payment is made; and
(c) the person’s net estate assets, including the money or securities, are not more than $2,000; and
(d) the registrar is satisfied the person died intestate.
(a) is entitled to apply for letters of administration of the deceased person’s estate; and
(b) files an affidavit in the court stating the facts relied on.
sec.21
Partnerships
sec.21 Partnerships
This section applies if a court orders money in court or securities in court to be paid to a partnership.
The chief executive may pay the money or securities under the court order to 1 or more of the partners.
(sec.21-ssec.1) This section applies if a court orders money in court or securities in court to be paid to a partnership.
(sec.21-ssec.2) The chief executive may pay the money or securities under the court order to 1 or more of the partners.
pt.2-div.6
Requests by persons claiming entitlement to money or securities in court
Requests by persons claiming entitlement to money or securities in court
sec.22
Definition for div 6
sec.22 Definition for div 6
In this division—
claimant means a person who claims an entitlement to money in court or securities in court.
sec.23
Request to record entitlement
sec.23 Request to record entitlement
A claimant or a claimant’s solicitor may ask the registrar of the court to record the claimant’s claimed entitlement.
The request must—
be in writing, signed by the claimant or solicitor; and
include the following information—
the name and address of the claimant or their solicitor;
the proceeding or account to which the money in court or securities in court are credited;
the grounds for the claimed entitlement.
If the claimed entitlement arises under a court order, the request must be accompanied by a copy of the court order.
The registrar must record the claimed entitlement and associated information in an appropriate way.
(sec.23-ssec.1) A claimant or a claimant’s solicitor may ask the registrar of the court to record the claimant’s claimed entitlement.
(sec.23-ssec.2) The request must— be in writing, signed by the claimant or solicitor; and include the following information— the name and address of the claimant or their solicitor; the proceeding or account to which the money in court or securities in court are credited; the grounds for the claimed entitlement.
(sec.23-ssec.3) If the claimed entitlement arises under a court order, the request must be accompanied by a copy of the court order.
(sec.23-ssec.4) The registrar must record the claimed entitlement and associated information in an appropriate way.
(a) be in writing, signed by the claimant or solicitor; and
(b) include the following information— (i) the name and address of the claimant or their solicitor; (ii) the proceeding or account to which the money in court or securities in court are credited; (iii) the grounds for the claimed entitlement.
(i) the name and address of the claimant or their solicitor;
(ii) the proceeding or account to which the money in court or securities in court are credited;
(iii) the grounds for the claimed entitlement.
(i) the name and address of the claimant or their solicitor;
(ii) the proceeding or account to which the money in court or securities in court are credited;
(iii) the grounds for the claimed entitlement.
sec.24
Request for information about money or securities in court
sec.24 Request for information about money or securities in court
A claimant or a claimant’s solicitor may ask the registrar for any of the following information—
for money in court—the balance of the relevant proceeding or account;
for securities in court—a description of the securities;
details of any transactions relating to the money in court or securities in court.
The request must—
be in writing, signed by the claimant or solicitor; and
include the following information—
the name and address of the claimant or their solicitor;
the proceeding or account to which the money in court or securities in court are credited;
the grounds for the claimed entitlement.
If the claimed entitlement arises under a court order, the request must be accompanied by a copy of the court order.
The registrar may give the requested information if the registrar is satisfied the claimant has a sufficient interest in the money or securities.
If the registrar gives the requested information, it must be current as at the start of the day on which it is given.
If the registrar gives the requested information, it must be accompanied by a statement of the following—
that the information is current as at the start of the day on which it is given;
if the claimed entitlement relates to a proceeding or account on the most recently prepared list of inactive accounts—
that the proceeding or account is on the list; and
the matters mentioned in section 26 (2) (b) and (c) ;
if the registrar has notice of a restraining order affecting the money or securities—
that the registrar has notice of the restraining order; and
the date of the order; and
whether the order affects interest accruing on the money or securities; and
the name of each person for whom the order was made; and
the name of each person who, under the order, must be notified of the order;
if the claimed entitlement relates to securities in court and the registrar has notice of a charging order affecting the securities—
that the registrar has notice of the charging order; and
the date of the order; and
whether the order affects interest accruing on the securities; and
the name of each person for whom the order was made; and
the name of each person who, under the order, must be notified of the order.
In this section—
charging order see section 90 (5) of the Act .
restraining order , for money in court or securities in court, means a court order restraining the payment, transfer, delivery, sale or other dealing with the money or securities.
(sec.24-ssec.1) A claimant or a claimant’s solicitor may ask the registrar for any of the following information— for money in court—the balance of the relevant proceeding or account; for securities in court—a description of the securities; details of any transactions relating to the money in court or securities in court.
(sec.24-ssec.2) The request must— be in writing, signed by the claimant or solicitor; and include the following information— the name and address of the claimant or their solicitor; the proceeding or account to which the money in court or securities in court are credited; the grounds for the claimed entitlement.
(sec.24-ssec.3) If the claimed entitlement arises under a court order, the request must be accompanied by a copy of the court order.
(sec.24-ssec.4) The registrar may give the requested information if the registrar is satisfied the claimant has a sufficient interest in the money or securities.
(sec.24-ssec.5) If the registrar gives the requested information, it must be current as at the start of the day on which it is given.
(sec.24-ssec.6) If the registrar gives the requested information, it must be accompanied by a statement of the following— that the information is current as at the start of the day on which it is given; if the claimed entitlement relates to a proceeding or account on the most recently prepared list of inactive accounts— that the proceeding or account is on the list; and the matters mentioned in section 26 (2) (b) and (c) ; if the registrar has notice of a restraining order affecting the money or securities— that the registrar has notice of the restraining order; and the date of the order; and whether the order affects interest accruing on the money or securities; and the name of each person for whom the order was made; and the name of each person who, under the order, must be notified of the order; if the claimed entitlement relates to securities in court and the registrar has notice of a charging order affecting the securities— that the registrar has notice of the charging order; and the date of the order; and whether the order affects interest accruing on the securities; and the name of each person for whom the order was made; and the name of each person who, under the order, must be notified of the order.
(sec.24-ssec.7) In this section— charging order see section 90 (5) of the Act . restraining order , for money in court or securities in court, means a court order restraining the payment, transfer, delivery, sale or other dealing with the money or securities.
(a) for money in court—the balance of the relevant proceeding or account;
(b) for securities in court—a description of the securities;
(c) details of any transactions relating to the money in court or securities in court.
(a) be in writing, signed by the claimant or solicitor; and
(b) include the following information— (i) the name and address of the claimant or their solicitor; (ii) the proceeding or account to which the money in court or securities in court are credited; (iii) the grounds for the claimed entitlement.
(i) the name and address of the claimant or their solicitor;
(ii) the proceeding or account to which the money in court or securities in court are credited;
(iii) the grounds for the claimed entitlement.
(i) the name and address of the claimant or their solicitor;
(ii) the proceeding or account to which the money in court or securities in court are credited;
(iii) the grounds for the claimed entitlement.
(a) that the information is current as at the start of the day on which it is given;
(b) if the claimed entitlement relates to a proceeding or account on the most recently prepared list of inactive accounts— (i) that the proceeding or account is on the list; and (ii) the matters mentioned in section 26 (2) (b) and (c) ;
(i) that the proceeding or account is on the list; and
(ii) the matters mentioned in section 26 (2) (b) and (c) ;
(c) if the registrar has notice of a restraining order affecting the money or securities— (i) that the registrar has notice of the restraining order; and (ii) the date of the order; and (iii) whether the order affects interest accruing on the money or securities; and (iv) the name of each person for whom the order was made; and (v) the name of each person who, under the order, must be notified of the order;
(i) that the registrar has notice of the restraining order; and
(ii) the date of the order; and
(iii) whether the order affects interest accruing on the money or securities; and
(iv) the name of each person for whom the order was made; and
(v) the name of each person who, under the order, must be notified of the order;
(d) if the claimed entitlement relates to securities in court and the registrar has notice of a charging order affecting the securities— (i) that the registrar has notice of the charging order; and (ii) the date of the order; and (iii) whether the order affects interest accruing on the securities; and (iv) the name of each person for whom the order was made; and (v) the name of each person who, under the order, must be notified of the order.
(i) that the registrar has notice of the charging order; and
(ii) the date of the order; and
(iii) whether the order affects interest accruing on the securities; and
(iv) the name of each person for whom the order was made; and
(v) the name of each person who, under the order, must be notified of the order.
(i) that the proceeding or account is on the list; and
(ii) the matters mentioned in section 26 (2) (b) and (c) ;
(i) that the registrar has notice of the restraining order; and
(ii) the date of the order; and
(iii) whether the order affects interest accruing on the money or securities; and
(iv) the name of each person for whom the order was made; and
(v) the name of each person who, under the order, must be notified of the order;
(i) that the registrar has notice of the charging order; and
(ii) the date of the order; and
(iii) whether the order affects interest accruing on the securities; and
(iv) the name of each person for whom the order was made; and
(v) the name of each person who, under the order, must be notified of the order.
pt.2-div.7
Inactive accounts
Inactive accounts
sec.25
Meaning of inactive account
sec.25 Meaning of inactive account
A proceeding or account to which money in court or securities in court are credited is an inactive account on a particular day if, during the 6 year period before that day—
there has been no dealing with the money or securities other than—
the accrual of interest; or
the ongoing investment of the money or securities under a court order; and
a party has not taken a step in the relevant proceeding.
(a) there has been no dealing with the money or securities other than— (i) the accrual of interest; or (ii) the ongoing investment of the money or securities under a court order; and
(i) the accrual of interest; or
(ii) the ongoing investment of the money or securities under a court order; and
(b) a party has not taken a step in the relevant proceeding.
(i) the accrual of interest; or
(ii) the ongoing investment of the money or securities under a court order; and
sec.26
Notice about inactive accounts
sec.26 Notice about inactive accounts
On or before 1 April in each year, the registrar of a court must—
prepare a list of the proceedings or accounts that were inactive accounts on 1 January in the year; and
file the list in the court; and
prepare a notice under subsection (2) ; and
display the notice at an appropriate place in the registry visible to members of the public; and
send a copy of the notice to each party to a proceeding to which an inactive account relates; and
publish the notice on the Queensland Courts website.
The notice must—
contain the list of inactive accounts; and
state that a person claiming an entitlement to money in court or securities in court credited to a proceeding or account on the list of inactive accounts may apply to the court under section 27 for an order for the payment of the money or securities; and
state that, if an application mentioned in paragraph (b) is not made by a stated day (the closing day ), the court may make an order—
for money in court—that the money be paid into the consolidated fund; or
for securities in court—that the securities be sold and that the net proceeds of the sale, including any interest that accrued on the securities, be paid into the consolidated fund.
The closing day may not be earlier than 42 days after the later of the following days—
the day the notice starts being displayed under subsection (1) (d) ;
the day the notice starts being published under subsection (1) (f) .
The notice must be sent to a party under subsection (1) (e) at least 42 days before the closing day.
The notice must remain displayed under subsection (1) (d) and published under subsection (1) (f) until the closing day.
As well as publishing the notice on the Queensland Courts website, the registrar may publish the notice in another way the registrar considers appropriate.
If the registrar incurs a cost for publishing the notice, the registrar may redeem the amount of the cost from the court suitors fund and debit the amount against the amounts held for the inactive accounts in proportion to the balance of each inactive account.
(sec.26-ssec.1) On or before 1 April in each year, the registrar of a court must— prepare a list of the proceedings or accounts that were inactive accounts on 1 January in the year; and file the list in the court; and prepare a notice under subsection (2) ; and display the notice at an appropriate place in the registry visible to members of the public; and send a copy of the notice to each party to a proceeding to which an inactive account relates; and publish the notice on the Queensland Courts website.
(sec.26-ssec.2) The notice must— contain the list of inactive accounts; and state that a person claiming an entitlement to money in court or securities in court credited to a proceeding or account on the list of inactive accounts may apply to the court under section 27 for an order for the payment of the money or securities; and state that, if an application mentioned in paragraph (b) is not made by a stated day (the closing day ), the court may make an order— for money in court—that the money be paid into the consolidated fund; or for securities in court—that the securities be sold and that the net proceeds of the sale, including any interest that accrued on the securities, be paid into the consolidated fund.
(sec.26-ssec.3) The closing day may not be earlier than 42 days after the later of the following days— the day the notice starts being displayed under subsection (1) (d) ; the day the notice starts being published under subsection (1) (f) .
(sec.26-ssec.4) The notice must be sent to a party under subsection (1) (e) at least 42 days before the closing day.
(sec.26-ssec.5) The notice must remain displayed under subsection (1) (d) and published under subsection (1) (f) until the closing day.
(sec.26-ssec.6) As well as publishing the notice on the Queensland Courts website, the registrar may publish the notice in another way the registrar considers appropriate.
(sec.26-ssec.7) If the registrar incurs a cost for publishing the notice, the registrar may redeem the amount of the cost from the court suitors fund and debit the amount against the amounts held for the inactive accounts in proportion to the balance of each inactive account.
(a) prepare a list of the proceedings or accounts that were inactive accounts on 1 January in the year; and
(b) file the list in the court; and
(c) prepare a notice under subsection (2) ; and
(d) display the notice at an appropriate place in the registry visible to members of the public; and
(e) send a copy of the notice to each party to a proceeding to which an inactive account relates; and
(f) publish the notice on the Queensland Courts website.
(a) contain the list of inactive accounts; and
(b) state that a person claiming an entitlement to money in court or securities in court credited to a proceeding or account on the list of inactive accounts may apply to the court under section 27 for an order for the payment of the money or securities; and
(c) state that, if an application mentioned in paragraph (b) is not made by a stated day (the closing day ), the court may make an order— (i) for money in court—that the money be paid into the consolidated fund; or (ii) for securities in court—that the securities be sold and that the net proceeds of the sale, including any interest that accrued on the securities, be paid into the consolidated fund.
(i) for money in court—that the money be paid into the consolidated fund; or
(ii) for securities in court—that the securities be sold and that the net proceeds of the sale, including any interest that accrued on the securities, be paid into the consolidated fund.
(i) for money in court—that the money be paid into the consolidated fund; or
(ii) for securities in court—that the securities be sold and that the net proceeds of the sale, including any interest that accrued on the securities, be paid into the consolidated fund.
(a) the day the notice starts being displayed under subsection (1) (d) ;
(b) the day the notice starts being published under subsection (1) (f) .
sec.27
Payment out order
sec.27 Payment out order
This section applies if a person claims an entitlement to money in court or securities in court credited to a proceeding or account on the most recently prepared list of inactive accounts.
The person may apply to the court for an order that the chief executive pay the money or securities to the person from the court suitors fund under this section (a payment out order ).
The application must be made on or before the closing day or within the further time the court allows.
The person must file in the court an affidavit stating the facts relied on for the claim.
The person must serve a copy of the application and affidavit on—
the registrar of the court; and
each party to the proceeding to which the money in court or securities in court relate.
Before deciding the application, the court may, on application by the person—
order that the registrar may not apply for a consolidated fund order before a stated day; or
if the registrar has applied for a consolidated fund order—stay proceedings on the registrar’s application.
The court may decide the application by making—
a payment out order; or
another order the court considers appropriate.
(sec.27-ssec.1) This section applies if a person claims an entitlement to money in court or securities in court credited to a proceeding or account on the most recently prepared list of inactive accounts.
(sec.27-ssec.2) The person may apply to the court for an order that the chief executive pay the money or securities to the person from the court suitors fund under this section (a payment out order ).
(sec.27-ssec.3) The application must be made on or before the closing day or within the further time the court allows.
(sec.27-ssec.4) The person must file in the court an affidavit stating the facts relied on for the claim.
(sec.27-ssec.5) The person must serve a copy of the application and affidavit on— the registrar of the court; and each party to the proceeding to which the money in court or securities in court relate.
(sec.27-ssec.6) Before deciding the application, the court may, on application by the person— order that the registrar may not apply for a consolidated fund order before a stated day; or if the registrar has applied for a consolidated fund order—stay proceedings on the registrar’s application.
(sec.27-ssec.7) The court may decide the application by making— a payment out order; or another order the court considers appropriate.
(a) the registrar of the court; and
(b) each party to the proceeding to which the money in court or securities in court relate.
(a) order that the registrar may not apply for a consolidated fund order before a stated day; or
(b) if the registrar has applied for a consolidated fund order—stay proceedings on the registrar’s application.
(a) a payment out order; or
(b) another order the court considers appropriate.
sec.28
Consolidated fund order
sec.28 Consolidated fund order
This section applies in relation to money in court or securities in court credited to a proceeding or account on the most recently prepared list of inactive accounts.
At any time after the closing day, the registrar may apply to the court for an order (a consolidated fund order )—
for money in court—that the money be paid into the consolidated fund; or
for securities in court—that the securities be sold and that the net proceeds of the sale, including any interest that accrued on the securities, be paid into the consolidated fund.
However, the registrar may not, without the leave of the court, apply for a consolidated fund order if there is a current application for a payment out order for the money or securities.
See also section 27 (6) .
For this section, an application for a payment out order for the money or securities is current if—
a person made the application on or after the day the notice under section 26 was published and served a copy of the application on the registrar under section 27 (5) ; and
the application has not been finally dealt with.
The court may grant leave under subsection (3) if the applicant for the payment out order has not prosecuted the application to finality within 3 months after the day it was made or the further time the court allows.
The registrar must file in the court—
a copy of the notice published under section 26 ; and
an affidavit stating that—
the registrar has complied with section 26 ; and
there is no current application for a payment out order for the money or securities.
The court may make a consolidated fund order if satisfied of the matters mentioned in subsection (6) (b) (i) and (ii) .
(sec.28-ssec.1) This section applies in relation to money in court or securities in court credited to a proceeding or account on the most recently prepared list of inactive accounts.
(sec.28-ssec.2) At any time after the closing day, the registrar may apply to the court for an order (a consolidated fund order )— for money in court—that the money be paid into the consolidated fund; or for securities in court—that the securities be sold and that the net proceeds of the sale, including any interest that accrued on the securities, be paid into the consolidated fund.
(sec.28-ssec.3) However, the registrar may not, without the leave of the court, apply for a consolidated fund order if there is a current application for a payment out order for the money or securities. See also section 27 (6) .
(sec.28-ssec.4) For this section, an application for a payment out order for the money or securities is current if— a person made the application on or after the day the notice under section 26 was published and served a copy of the application on the registrar under section 27 (5) ; and the application has not been finally dealt with.
(sec.28-ssec.5) The court may grant leave under subsection (3) if the applicant for the payment out order has not prosecuted the application to finality within 3 months after the day it was made or the further time the court allows.
(sec.28-ssec.6) The registrar must file in the court— a copy of the notice published under section 26 ; and an affidavit stating that— the registrar has complied with section 26 ; and there is no current application for a payment out order for the money or securities.
(sec.28-ssec.7) The court may make a consolidated fund order if satisfied of the matters mentioned in subsection (6) (b) (i) and (ii) .
(a) for money in court—that the money be paid into the consolidated fund; or
(b) for securities in court—that the securities be sold and that the net proceeds of the sale, including any interest that accrued on the securities, be paid into the consolidated fund.
(a) a person made the application on or after the day the notice under section 26 was published and served a copy of the application on the registrar under section 27 (5) ; and
(b) the application has not been finally dealt with.
(a) a copy of the notice published under section 26 ; and
(b) an affidavit stating that— (i) the registrar has complied with section 26 ; and (ii) there is no current application for a payment out order for the money or securities.
(i) the registrar has complied with section 26 ; and
(ii) there is no current application for a payment out order for the money or securities.
(i) the registrar has complied with section 26 ; and
(ii) there is no current application for a payment out order for the money or securities.
sec.29
Transfer back order
sec.29 Transfer back order
This section applies if—
under a consolidated fund order—
money in court is paid from the court suitors fund into the consolidated fund; or
securities in court are sold and the net proceeds of the sale, including any interest that accrued on the securities, are paid into the consolidated fund; and
a person claims an entitlement to the money or securities.
The person may apply to the court for an order that the chief executive pay the amount of the money or proceeds into the court suitors fund to the credit of the same proceeding or account to which the consolidated fund order was made (a transfer back order ).
The person must file in the court an affidavit stating the facts relied on for the claim.
The person must serve a copy of the application and affidavit on—
the registrar of the court; and
each party to the proceeding to which the money in court or securities in court relates.
The court may decide the application by making—
a transfer back order; or
another order the court considers appropriate.
Unless the court orders otherwise, no interest accrues on an amount during the period from the day the amount is paid into the consolidated fund under the consolidated fund order to the day the amount is paid into the court suitors fund under the transfer back order.
A transfer back order does not authorise the payment of an amount from the consolidated fund.
(sec.29-ssec.1) This section applies if— under a consolidated fund order— money in court is paid from the court suitors fund into the consolidated fund; or securities in court are sold and the net proceeds of the sale, including any interest that accrued on the securities, are paid into the consolidated fund; and a person claims an entitlement to the money or securities.
(sec.29-ssec.2) The person may apply to the court for an order that the chief executive pay the amount of the money or proceeds into the court suitors fund to the credit of the same proceeding or account to which the consolidated fund order was made (a transfer back order ).
(sec.29-ssec.3) The person must file in the court an affidavit stating the facts relied on for the claim.
(sec.29-ssec.4) The person must serve a copy of the application and affidavit on— the registrar of the court; and each party to the proceeding to which the money in court or securities in court relates.
(sec.29-ssec.5) The court may decide the application by making— a transfer back order; or another order the court considers appropriate.
(sec.29-ssec.6) Unless the court orders otherwise, no interest accrues on an amount during the period from the day the amount is paid into the consolidated fund under the consolidated fund order to the day the amount is paid into the court suitors fund under the transfer back order.
(sec.29-ssec.7) A transfer back order does not authorise the payment of an amount from the consolidated fund.
(a) under a consolidated fund order— (i) money in court is paid from the court suitors fund into the consolidated fund; or (ii) securities in court are sold and the net proceeds of the sale, including any interest that accrued on the securities, are paid into the consolidated fund; and
(i) money in court is paid from the court suitors fund into the consolidated fund; or
(ii) securities in court are sold and the net proceeds of the sale, including any interest that accrued on the securities, are paid into the consolidated fund; and
(b) a person claims an entitlement to the money or securities.
(i) money in court is paid from the court suitors fund into the consolidated fund; or
(ii) securities in court are sold and the net proceeds of the sale, including any interest that accrued on the securities, are paid into the consolidated fund; and
(a) the registrar of the court; and
(b) each party to the proceeding to which the money in court or securities in court relates.
(a) a transfer back order; or
(b) another order the court considers appropriate.
sec.30
Request for information about inactive account
sec.30 Request for information about inactive account
A person who claims an entitlement to money in court or securities in court relating to a proceeding or account on the most recently prepared list of inactive accounts, or the person’s solicitor, may ask the registrar for information about the money or securities.
The request must—
be in writing, signed by the person or their solicitor; and
include the following information—
the name and address of the person or their solicitor;
the proceeding or account to which the money in court or securities in court are credited;
the grounds for the claimed entitlement.
The registrar may give the requested information to the person or their solicitor if the registrar is satisfied the person has a sufficient interest in the money or securities.
(sec.30-ssec.1) A person who claims an entitlement to money in court or securities in court relating to a proceeding or account on the most recently prepared list of inactive accounts, or the person’s solicitor, may ask the registrar for information about the money or securities.
(sec.30-ssec.2) The request must— be in writing, signed by the person or their solicitor; and include the following information— the name and address of the person or their solicitor; the proceeding or account to which the money in court or securities in court are credited; the grounds for the claimed entitlement.
(sec.30-ssec.3) The registrar may give the requested information to the person or their solicitor if the registrar is satisfied the person has a sufficient interest in the money or securities.
(a) be in writing, signed by the person or their solicitor; and
(b) include the following information— (i) the name and address of the person or their solicitor; (ii) the proceeding or account to which the money in court or securities in court are credited; (iii) the grounds for the claimed entitlement.
(i) the name and address of the person or their solicitor;
(ii) the proceeding or account to which the money in court or securities in court are credited;
(iii) the grounds for the claimed entitlement.
(i) the name and address of the person or their solicitor;
(ii) the proceeding or account to which the money in court or securities in court are credited;
(iii) the grounds for the claimed entitlement.
pt.2-div.8
Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous
sec.31
Affidavits
sec.31 Affidavits
If the registrar of a court requires evidence of a matter to give effect to an order of the court under the Act , the registrar may accept an affidavit filed in the court as evidence of the matter.
An affidavit under subsection (1) must be sworn by the person making it if—
the affidavit is made by—
a person entitled to the payment of interest under an order; or
the solicitor of a person entitled to the payment of interest under an order; and
the affidavit is made to provide—
evidence of compliance with a condition affecting the payment of the interest; or
evidence that the person is alive.
(sec.31-ssec.1) If the registrar of a court requires evidence of a matter to give effect to an order of the court under the Act , the registrar may accept an affidavit filed in the court as evidence of the matter.
(sec.31-ssec.2) An affidavit under subsection (1) must be sworn by the person making it if— the affidavit is made by— a person entitled to the payment of interest under an order; or the solicitor of a person entitled to the payment of interest under an order; and the affidavit is made to provide— evidence of compliance with a condition affecting the payment of the interest; or evidence that the person is alive.
(a) the affidavit is made by— (i) a person entitled to the payment of interest under an order; or (ii) the solicitor of a person entitled to the payment of interest under an order; and
(i) a person entitled to the payment of interest under an order; or
(ii) the solicitor of a person entitled to the payment of interest under an order; and
(b) the affidavit is made to provide— (i) evidence of compliance with a condition affecting the payment of the interest; or (ii) evidence that the person is alive.
(i) evidence of compliance with a condition affecting the payment of the interest; or
(ii) evidence that the person is alive.
(i) a person entitled to the payment of interest under an order; or
(ii) the solicitor of a person entitled to the payment of interest under an order; and
(i) evidence of compliance with a condition affecting the payment of the interest; or
(ii) evidence that the person is alive.
sec.32
Things that are not securities— Act , s 75A , definition securities
sec.32 Things that are not securities— Act , s 75A , definition securities
For section 75A of the Act , definition securities , paragraph (b) , bank guarantees and personal guarantees are not securities.
pt.3
Transitional
Transitional
sec.33
Definitions for part
sec.33 Definitions for part
In this part—
repealed regulation means the repealed Court Funds Regulation 2009 .
sec.34
Court orders
sec.34 Court orders
This section applies in relation to a court order, made before the commencement, that the chief executive deal with money in court or securities in court in a particular way or that the chief executive make a particular payment.
The following provisions apply in relation to the court order to the extent the chief executive did not carry out the dealing or make the payment before the commencement—
sections 10 and 11;
part 2, division 5.
(sec.34-ssec.1) This section applies in relation to a court order, made before the commencement, that the chief executive deal with money in court or securities in court in a particular way or that the chief executive make a particular payment.
(sec.34-ssec.2) The following provisions apply in relation to the court order to the extent the chief executive did not carry out the dealing or make the payment before the commencement— sections 10 and 11; part 2, division 5.
(a) sections 10 and 11;
(b) part 2, division 5.
sec.35
Requests to record information about claimant
sec.35 Requests to record information about claimant
This section applies in relation to a request made before the commencement under section 27 of the repealed regulation.
Section 23(4) applies in relation to the request to the extent the registrar did not record information under section 27 of the repealed regulation before the commencement.
(sec.35-ssec.1) This section applies in relation to a request made before the commencement under section 27 of the repealed regulation.
(sec.35-ssec.2) Section 23(4) applies in relation to the request to the extent the registrar did not record information under section 27 of the repealed regulation before the commencement.
sec.36
Requests for information about money or securities in court
sec.36 Requests for information about money or securities in court
This section applies in relation to a request for information made before the commencement under section 29 of the repealed regulation.
Section 24(4) to (7) applies in relation to the request to the extent the registrar did not give the information under section 29 of the repealed regulation before the commencement.
(sec.36-ssec.1) This section applies in relation to a request for information made before the commencement under section 29 of the repealed regulation.
(sec.36-ssec.2) Section 24(4) to (7) applies in relation to the request to the extent the registrar did not give the information under section 29 of the repealed regulation before the commencement.
sec.37
Most recently prepared list of inactive accounts
sec.37 Most recently prepared list of inactive accounts
Until a list is first prepared under section 26(1), a reference in this regulation to the most recently prepared list of inactive accounts is a reference to the last list of inactive accounts prepared under section 30 of the repealed regulation.
sec.38
Applications for payment out order
sec.38 Applications for payment out order
This section applies in relation to an application to the court made under section 31 of the repealed regulation that, on the commencement, had not been finally dealt with.
The court may deal with the application under section 27 as if it had been made under that section.
(sec.38-ssec.1) This section applies in relation to an application to the court made under section 31 of the repealed regulation that, on the commencement, had not been finally dealt with.
(sec.38-ssec.2) The court may deal with the application under section 27 as if it had been made under that section.
sec.39
Applications for consolidated fund order
sec.39 Applications for consolidated fund order
This section applies in relation to an application to the court made under section 32 of the repealed regulation that, on the commencement, had not been finally dealt with.
The court may deal with the application under section 28 as if it had been made under that section.
(sec.39-ssec.1) This section applies in relation to an application to the court made under section 32 of the repealed regulation that, on the commencement, had not been finally dealt with.
(sec.39-ssec.2) The court may deal with the application under section 28 as if it had been made under that section.
sec.40
Applications for transfer back order
sec.40 Applications for transfer back order
This section applies in relation to an application to the court made under section 33 of the repealed regulation that, on the commencement, had not been finally dealt with.
The court may deal with the application under section 29 as if it had been made under that section.
(sec.40-ssec.1) This section applies in relation to an application to the court made under section 33 of the repealed regulation that, on the commencement, had not been finally dealt with.
(sec.40-ssec.2) The court may deal with the application under section 29 as if it had been made under that section.
sec.41
Requests for information about accounts in list
sec.41 Requests for information about accounts in list
This section applies in relation to a request for information made before the commencement under section 35 of the repealed regulation.
Section 30(3) applies in relation to the request to the extent the registrar did not give the information under section 35 of the repealed regulation before the commencement.
(sec.41-ssec.1) This section applies in relation to a request for information made before the commencement under section 35 of the repealed regulation.
(sec.41-ssec.2) Section 30(3) applies in relation to the request to the extent the registrar did not give the information under section 35 of the repealed regulation before the commencement.
Source text: opening excerpt
Sourced from Queensland Legislation (legislation.qld.gov.au), CC BY 4.0.
pt.1 Preliminary
Preliminary
sec.1 Short title
sec.1 Short title
This regulation may be cited as the Civil Proceedings Regulation 2024 .
sec.2 Commencement
sec.2 Commencement
This regulation commences on 1 September 2024.
sec.3 Dictionary
sec.3 Dictionary
The dictionary in schedule 1 defines particular words used in this regulation.
pt.2 Court funds
Court funds
pt.2-div.1 Paying money or depositing securities into court
Paying money or depositing securities into court
sec.4 References to payments or deposits into court
sec.4 References to payments or deposits into court
In this division—
a reference to paying an amount into court is a reference to paying an amount into court under a law or a court order; and
a reference to depositing securities into court is a reference to depositing securities into court under a law or a court order.
(a) a reference to paying an amount into court is a reference to paying an amount into court under a law or a court order; and
(b) a reference to depositing securities into court is a reference to depositing securities into court under a law or a court order.
sec.5 Payment or deposit to be made to or with registrar
sec.5 Payment or deposit to be made to or with registrar
An amount to be paid into court must be paid to the registrar.
Securities to be deposited into court must be deposited with the registrar.
(sec.5-ssec.1) An amount to be paid into court must be paid to the registrar.
(sec.5-ssec.2) Securities to be deposited into court must be deposited with the registrar.
sec.6 Affidavit to be filed for payment or deposit
sec.6 Affidavit to be filed for payment or deposit
If a person pays an amount into court or deposits securities into court, the person must file an affidavit in the court.
The affidavit must—
state the name of the person by or for whom the payment or deposit is made; and
state—
for a payment—the amount; or
for a deposit—the number and face value of the securities; and
state the way the payment or deposit is made; and
either—
for a payment or deposit made under a law—specify the law, including the provision of the law; or
for a payment or deposit made under a court order—include, as an exhibit, a copy of the order; and
briefly describe the circumstances in which the payment or deposit is made; and
ask the registrar to receive the money or securities.
If the person files an affidavit but the registrar considers it does not give enough information about the payment or deposit, the registrar may, by written notice, require the person to file another affidavit giving further stated information relating to the payment or deposit.
The person must comply with the requirement.
A requirement under this section is in addition to any requirement under rules of court or another law to file, serve or give an affidavit or other document relating to the payment or deposit.
(sec.6-ssec.1) If a person pays an amount into court or deposits securities into court, the person must file an affidavit in the court.
(sec.6-ssec.2) The affidavit must— state the name of the person by or for whom the payment or deposit is made; and state— for a payment—the amount; or for a deposit—the number and face value of the securities; and state the way the payment or deposit is made; and either— for a payment or deposit made under a law—specify the law, including the provision of the law; or for a payment or deposit made under a court order—include, as an exhibit, a copy of the order; and briefly describe the circumstances in which the payment or deposit is made; and ask the registrar to receive the money or securities.
(sec.6-ssec.3) If the person files an affidavit but the registrar considers it does not give enough information about the payment or deposit, the registrar may, by written notice, require the person to file another affidavit giving further stated information relating to the payment or deposit.
(sec.6-ssec.4) The person must comply with the requirement.
Prescribes how payouts are handled in particular contexts, for example when costs are ordered to be ascertained and paid (fees owing to registrar may be retained from amounts paid, sec 17), when payees are deceased (payment to personal representative or specified relatives in small intestate estates, secs 18-20), and when partnerships are the payee (payment may be made to one or more partners, sec 21).
Establishes a regime dealing with “inactive accounts” (definition in sec 25), including an annual list and notice obligations (sec 26), an applicant’s right to apply for a payment out order (sec 27), the registrar’s right to apply for a consolidated fund order after a statutory notice period (sec 28), and the route to seek a transfer back from the consolidated fund if money has already been paid across (sec 29).
Prescribes information and recording rights for claimants and their solicitors (requests to record claimed entitlement, sec 23; requests for information, sec 24; requests about inactive accounts, sec 30).
Contains miscellaneous procedural rules, including when affidavits may be accepted and when they must be sworn (sec 31), and a definitional clarification that bank guarantees and personal guarantees are not “securities” for the purpose of section 75A of the Act (sec 32).
Includes transitional provisions to carry across certain orders and applications under the repealed Court Funds Regulation 2009 (secs 33-41).
Mechanically the instrument centralises receipt handling through registrars and a single chief executive-managed court suitors fund, standardises the interest rate and accrual rules, and creates a clear administrative path for dealing with inactive accounts culminating in payment to the consolidated fund subject to court processes. The regulation allocates tasks and decision points to three institutional actors: the payer/claimant (obligations to file affidavits, make requests, and pursue payment out), the registrar (receipt, remittance, recording, notices and certain discretionary notifications), and the chief executive (custody of money, crediting of interest and funds, use of excess interest, payments in accordance with court orders). The court remains the gatekeeper for orders that alter prescribed outcomes (secs 10, 11, 27-29).
Main concepts
The regulation repeatedly deploys a small set of operational concepts that determine how court-held funds move, earn interest, and are ultimately distributed.
Payment into court and deposit of securities (sec 4, sec 5). These are distinct acts: paying amounts into court and depositing securities into court. Both must be processed through the registrar (sec 5). A “payment into court” includes payments made under law or under court order (sec 4).
Court suitors fund and chief executive custody (secs 8, 9, 16). Money received by registrars is remitted to the chief executive and held in the court suitors fund (sec 8(1)). Interest accruing on securities in court, when received by the chief executive, is paid into the fund and credited to the originating proceeding (sec 9). The chief executive has authority to use excess interest not credited to proceedings for correcting fund deficiencies or meeting administrative expenses (sec 16).
Interest mechanics (secs 13-15). Interest on money in court is set at the RBA official cash rate plus 0.5% (sec 13). Accrual is monthly on the minimum monthly balance, rounded down to the nearest dollar, but only for months where an amount is credited to the proceeding or account on every day of the month; specific exceptions and a worked example are included (sec 14). Interest is calculated and credited within 15 days after the end of each half-year (sec 15(1)), and any interest accrued since the last calculation must be credited before payment out (sec 15(2)).
Receipts and records (secs 6-7, 23-24). The person making a payment or deposit must file an affidavit that contains detailed information (sec 6). The registrar must issue a receipt showing who made the payment and identifying the proceeding or account credited (sec 7). Claimants or their solicitors can ask the registrar to record a claimed entitlement (sec 23) and request information about balances, descriptions of securities or transaction details (sec 24).
Inactive accounts (secs 25-30). An account becomes “inactive” where, over six years, there has been no dealing other than interest accrual or court-ordered investment and no party has taken a step in the relevant proceeding (sec 25). The registrar must prepare an annual list and run a prescribed notice process, including public display and publication on the Queensland Courts website, service on parties, and at least 42 days before a closing day (sec 26). After the closing day, the registrar may apply for a consolidated fund order (sec 28), but affected persons may apply for a payment out order on or before the closing day (sec 27).
Transfers to the consolidated fund and transfer-back (secs 26(2)(c), 28, 29). If no payment out order is obtained, a consolidated fund order allows money to be paid into the consolidated fund or securities to be sold and proceeds remitted into the consolidated fund (sec 28). A claimant may later apply for a transfer back order to restore amounts to the court suitors fund for credit to the original account; interest does not accrue while amounts are held in the consolidated fund unless the court orders otherwise (sec 29).
Discretion and verification (secs 6(3), 24(4), 31). The registrar has powers to require further affidavits when necessary (sec 6(3)). The registrar may give requested information only if satisfied the claimant has a “sufficient interest” (sec 24(4)). The registrar may accept affidavits as evidence for giving effect to court orders, and certain affidavits must be sworn where they concern entitlement to or conditions attached to interest payments (sec 31).
These concepts interact. For example, the definition of “inactive account” (sec 25) triggers the notice obligations (sec 26), which in turn create windows for claimants to apply for a payment out order (sec 27) and for the registrar to seek a consolidated fund order (sec 28). Interest rules determine how much value remains in accounts before they are transferred and how much the court suitors fund may accumulate to cover administrative costs (secs 13-16). The regulation therefore establishes a pipeline from receipt at the registry, through central custodianship and interest allocation, to either beneficiary discharge or transfer to the consolidated fund after a statutory process.
Who it affects
Directly affected actors are identifiable and their statutory obligations or entitlements are set out in the text.
Payers and depositors. Any person who pays an amount into court or deposits securities into court must make the payment to the registrar and file an affidavit describing the payment or deposit (secs 5 and 6). The affidavit must specify who the payment is by or for, the amount or the number and face value of securities, the method of payment or deposit, the statutory basis or court order authorising it, and the circumstances of the payment (sec 6).
Claimants and their solicitors. Persons who claim an entitlement to money in court or securities in court are able to ask the registrar to record the claimed entitlement (sec 23) and to request balance and transaction information (sec 24). Claimants whose claims relate to accounts on the inactive list may apply for payment out orders (sec 27) or for transfer back orders if funds have been sent to the consolidated fund (sec 29).
Registrars. Registrars are the front-line administrative actors: they must receive payments and securities (sec 5), issue receipts (sec 7), remit money to the chief executive and notify the chief executive of securities deposits (sec 8), prepare and display annual lists of inactive accounts (sec 26), and may be required to request further affidavits if a filing is deficient (sec 6(3)). The registrar is the applicant who, after prescribed notice periods, may apply to the court for a consolidated fund order (sec 28).
The chief executive. The chief executive receives remitted money from registrars into the court suitors fund (sec 8(1)), must pay into the fund interest received on securities (sec 9), credit interest to relevant proceedings (secs 9, 15), and is authorised to use excess interest to make good deficiencies or pay administrative expenses (sec 16). The chief executive must act on court orders as soon as the registrar provides a copy (sec 10).
Courts. The court retains decision-making power to order how money and securities are to be dealt with (sec 10); to direct the inclusion or exclusion of interest in payouts (sec 11); to decide payment out applications (sec 27); to consider registrar applications for consolidated fund orders (sec 28); and to make transfer back orders where appropriate (sec 29).
Estates, personal representatives, partners and relatives. The regulation provides specific distribution rules where payees have died (secs 18-20) or where funds are payable to partnerships (sec 21). For small intestate estates (net assets not exceeding $2,000), the chief executive may pay the funds to certain relatives who can apply for letters of administration and who file an affidavit (sec 20).
The public and parties to proceedings. The annual inactive accounts list must be published on the Queensland Courts website and displayed in registries (sec 26), and parties to proceedings with inactive accounts must be served with the notice (sec 26(1)(e)). The public is consequently placed on constructive notice by publication and display regarding inactive accounts.
Indirect economic effects fall on those managing estates, insolvency practitioners and solicitors who must track payments into and out of court, ensure affidavit and service compliance, and may have to contest consolidated fund orders or pursue transfer-back applications (secs 23-29). Administrative actors bear costs associated with preparing notices and running the inactive-accounts process; the regulation permits those publishing costs to be redeemed from the court suitors fund and debited against inactive accounts proportionately (sec 26(7)). Lastly, where interest is not individually credited to a proceeding and becomes “excess interest,” that interest may be used to offset administrative expenses, altering the net returns to small claimants (sec 16).
Key duties and rights
Duties and rights are predominantly procedural and financial, distributed among registrars, claimants, the chief executive and the court.
Duties of the payer/depositor:
Make payments to the registrar or deposit securities with the registrar (sec 5).
File an affidavit containing named particulars: the payer, amount or description of securities, the method, legal basis or court order (exhibit) and a short statement of circumstances, and request that the registrar receive the money or securities (sec 6(2)).
Comply with any registrar requirement to file a further affidavit if the initial affidavit lacks information (sec 6(3)-(4)).
Registrar duties:
Issue a receipt for amounts paid or securities deposited that states the payer, the proceeding or account credited, and either the amount or a description of the securities (sec 7).
Remit money to the chief executive for payment into the court suitors fund as soon as practicable, and give written notice to the chief executive as soon as practicable of securities deposited (sec 8).
Prepare and file an annual list of inactive accounts as at 1 January and publish, display, and serve notices on parties by prescribed timelines (sec 26).
Record claimed entitlements upon written request including required particulars (sec 23(1)-(4)).
Decide whether a claimant has a “sufficient interest” before releasing requested account information (sec 24(4)).
Chief executive duties and powers:
Receive remitted money into the court suitors fund and credit interest to proceedings or accounts (secs 8, 9, 15).
Pay and invest or sell money or securities as directed by court order upon receiving a copy via the registrar (sec 10).
Before paying an amount out, calculate interest since the last credited calculation and credit it to the proceeding (sec 15(2)).
Use excess interest not credited to any proceeding to make good deficiencies in the fund due to administrative error or to pay administrative expenses (sec 16).
Court powers and duties:
Order particular dealings with money or securities in court; in such cases, the registrar and chief executive are bound to process the order on receiving a copy (sec 10).
Decide payment out applications by either granting payment out orders, other appropriate orders, or making directions preventing a consolidated fund application before a stated day (sec 27).
Authorise consolidated fund orders and grant leave for the registrar to apply where a payment out application is current, including conditions for leave where payment out applicants have not prosecuted their applications (sec 28).
Claimant rights and procedural routes:
Request recording of a claimed entitlement (sec 23) and request account or securities information (sec 24), subject to registrar satisfaction of sufficient interest.
Apply to court for payment out orders for inactive accounts on the most recently prepared list on or before the closing day (sec 27).
Apply for a transfer back order where funds have been transferred into the consolidated fund following a consolidated fund order (sec 29).
Other rights and obligations:
Receipts must be issued and must identify the proceeding (sec 7).
Certain affidavit evidence must be sworn where it concerns payment of interest or evidence that a person is alive (sec 31(2)).
Bank guarantees and personal guarantees are excluded from “securities” in respect of s 75A of the Act (sec 32).
These duties create compliance checkpoints: depositors must prepare and file detailed affidavits; registrars must manage remittal and notices; the chief executive must maintain accounting and crediting processes; courts adjudicate disputed claims and applications. Financial consequences flow from the interest rules and the regulator’s ability to use excess interest to cover administrative costs. The regulation therefore confers specific procedural rights on claimants while imposing recordkeeping and notification duties on registrars and custodial accounting duties on the chief executive.
Penalties and enforcement
The text provided does not include express criminal penalties, fines, or specific enforcement sanctions for non-compliance with particular provisions of the regulation. Instead, the instrument primarily sets duties, procedural mechanisms and administrative powers that create enforcement pathways through court processes and administrative refusal or delay. The following enforcement mechanisms and practical consequences can be drawn from the regulation’s provisions.
Court enforcement and compliance:
Courts exercise enforcement through orders. Where a court has ordered a particular dealing with money or securities, the registrar must provide a copy to the chief executive and the chief executive must comply with the court’s directions (sec 10). Non-compliance with a court order in the broader sense remains subject to the court’s inherent powers, although the regulation itself does not specify penalties.
Payment out and consolidated fund processes are court-supervised (secs 27-29). The court can make payment out orders, grant consolidated fund orders, or make transfer back orders. Failure by a claimant to apply by the closing day prescribed in the notice process will leave the registrar free to proceed to a consolidated fund application after the period expires (secs 26-28).
Administrative enforcement:
Registrars control whether to disclose requested information based on a threshold of “sufficient interest” (sec 24(4)). Practical enforcement of the information regime is therefore administrative discretion to refuse disclosure unless the threshold is met.
Registrars can require further affidavits where an affidavit lacks sufficient information (sec 6(3)). Non-compliance with a registrar’s written requirement to file another affidavit is mandated by the regulation (“The person must comply with the requirement,” sec 6(3)-(4)), but the regulation does not specify a defined penalty for failing to comply. In practice, refusal to produce required affidavits would impede the person’s ability to secure a receipt, to cause funds to be properly processed, or to qualify as a claimant able to obtain information or to apply for payment.
The regulation authorises the chief executive to debit the court suitors fund for certain costs, including publication costs related to notices and administrative expenses paid from excess interest (secs 26(7), 16). This creates an enforcement mechanism where administrative costs are recovered from the fund rather than by direct fines.
Consequential and practical sanctions:
Financial consequences arise from the scheme. If a claimant does not act within statutory notice periods, funds may be transferred to the consolidated fund (sec 26(2)(c), sec 28). Once so transferred, the claimant must bring a transfer back application, with the regulation noting no interest accrues during the period that money is in the consolidated fund unless the court orders otherwise (sec 29(6)). The practical cost to the claimant of delay is therefore loss of interest for the period of transfer.
Administrative retention of fees: where a court orders costs to be paid out of money in court, the chief executive must retain unpaid fees payable to the registrar from amounts ordered to be paid (sec 17). This acts as a statutory set-off and reduces net payments to recipients.
Absence of express penalties:
Because the regulation does not specify offences, fines or punitive enforcement mechanisms, compliance is driven by the practical requirements to have money accepted, to have funds credited, to obtain receipts, and to preserve entitlement. The court’s supervisory role provides the ultimate enforcement channel for disputes or non-execution of court orders (secs 10, 27-29).
In short, enforcement occurs by means of court orders, administrative discretion (disclosure or refusal, requirement for further affidavits), and financial mechanisms (deduction of fees, use of excess interest, transfer to consolidated fund). The regulation does not prescribe criminal or civil penalties within its text for non-compliance with procedural steps.
How it interacts with other laws
The regulation is explicitly structured as subordinate to and interacting with other statutes and court rules; it references the Act and other court rules multiple times and provides transitional treatment for the repealed Court Funds Regulation 2009.
References to the Act:
Several provisions explicitly incorporate or depend on concepts from the Act. For example, the definition of “charging order” used in section 24 is tied to section 90(5) of the Act (sec 24(7)). Section 32 clarifies that, for the purposes of section 75A of the Act (definition of “securities”), bank guarantees and personal guarantees are not to be treated as securities. Those cross-references indicate the regulation is meant to operate in coordination with the Act’s broader court funds and security regimes.
Court rules and other laws:
Section 4 defines “paying an amount into court” to include payments under a law or court order. Section 6(5) expressly states that the affidavit requirements are “in addition to any requirement under rules of court or another law to file, serve or give an affidavit or other document relating to the payment or deposit.” That language places the regulation’s requirements alongside existing procedural rules and other statutes. Practitioners must therefore comply with both the regulation and court rules or statutory provisions that govern filings, service, and affidavits.
Interaction with consolidated fund and public accounts:
The regulation allows money in court or the net proceeds of securities sales to be paid into the consolidated fund under a court order (secs 26(2)(c), 28). The consolidated fund is a public account established under finance or appropriation law; the regulation authorises transfer to it but does not itself change the constitutional or statutory mechanics of the consolidated fund. The transfer-back procedure (sec 29) is therefore a remedial route within the regulation to restore funds to the court suitors fund, but the regulation stresses that a transfer back order does not authorise payments out of the consolidated fund (sec 29(7)).
Transitional interaction with repealed regulation:
Part 3 contains transitional provisions focusing on continuity with the repealed Court Funds Regulation 2009. The regulation provides for carry-over treatment of pre-commencement court orders (sec 34), pre-commencement requests to record claimants (sec 35), pre-commencement requests for information (sec 36), pre-existing lists of inactive accounts (sec 37), and in-progress applications for payment out, consolidated fund or transfer back orders (secs 38-40). This design minimises procedural discontinuities for applications or orders begun under the old regulation.
Administrative law and evidentiary interplay:
Section 31 permits the registrar to accept affidavits filed in court as evidence to give effect to orders under the Act. That creates an evidentiary mechanism tied to existing court processes and possibly to statutory rules of evidence and procedure external to the regulation. The regulation further requires certain affidavits to be sworn when they provide evidence of compliance with conditions affecting payment of interest or to evidence that a person is alive (sec 31(2)).
Limitations and dependencies:
The regulation delegates decisions to registrars and the chief executive while preserving the court’s supervisory jurisdiction for orders (secs 10, 27-29). Consequently, administrative practice under the regulation will be constrained by the Act, the court’s inherent powers, and rules of court. For example, the definition of “charging order” is imported from the Act (sec 24(7)), so the operation of charging orders on securities in court will depend on the terms and operation of the Act’s charging-order provisions.
In sum, the regulation is not self-contained; it operates in a regulatory mesh with the Act, rules of court, and public finance law. It supplies operational detail for court funds and securities, but practitioners must read it alongside the referenced Act provisions and court rules to understand the full rights, obligations and remedies available.
Amendment history
The regulation itself includes only the commencement date and transitional provisions dealing with the repealed Court Funds Regulation 2009. The key amendment-history elements contained in the text are:
Commencement: The regulation commences on 1 September 2024 (sec 2). This is the operative date for the new rules.
Repealed regulation reference: The instrument defines “repealed regulation” as the Court Funds Regulation 2009 for transitional purposes (sec 33).
Transitional carry-overs: Sections 34-41 handle ongoing matters started under the repealed regulation. Specific transitional rules include:
Existing court orders that required the chief executive to deal with money or securities, where the dealing had not been carried out before commencement, continue to be governed by sections 10, 11 and part 2 division 5 of the new regulation (sec 34).
Requests made prior to commencement under the repealed regulation to record claimant information or to request account information are treated as if governed by the corresponding new provisions to the extent registrars had not completed the required actions before commencement (secs 35-36).
Until the first list is prepared under section 26(1), references to the most recently prepared list of inactive accounts refer to the last list prepared under section 30 of the repealed regulation (sec 37).
Applications that were made under the matching provisions of the repealed regulation and not finally dealt with on commencement may be decided under the corresponding new sections (secs 38-40).
Requests for information about accounts that were made under the repealed regulation but not completed before commencement are subject to the new section 30(3) (sec 41).
No other amendment history or prior versions are contained in the text provided. Because the regulation supersedes the Court Funds Regulation 2009, the transitional sections aim to preserve legal continuity for in-flight matters. The regulation itself does not show later amendments or a history of legislative change beyond the replacement of the 2009 instrument and its related transitional treatment.
For practitioners needing a fuller legislative genealogy, the regulation’s internal cross-references to the Act (for example to s 75A and s 90(5)) indicate that other, older statutory provisions remain relevant; but the text supplied contains no schedule of amendments, no notes of amendments, and no subordinate instruments amending the regulation after commencement. The transitional provisions are therefore the principal historical markers contained within the instrument.
Litigation history
The regulation text supplied contains no case names, judicial decisions, or citations to litigation interpreting its provisions. It does, however, create several points where litigation or contested judicial decisions are likely to arise. The regulation itself leaves contested questions to the court and provides mechanisms (payment out orders, consolidated fund orders, transfer back orders, court orders affecting how money or securities are to be dealt with) that will be litigated through ordinary judicial processes. The likely categories of dispute, drawn from the wording of the regulation, include:
Sufficiency of affidavits and registrar requirements (sec 6). The registrar may require a further affidavit if the initial affidavit is insufficient. A party disputing an adverse administrative decision could seek judicial review or apply to the court to compel the registrar to accept or treat the filing in a particular way, though the regulation does not lay out the exact judicial remedy.
Entitlement and “sufficient interest” threshold for disclosure (sec 24(4)). The registrar may withhold information unless satisfied a claimant has a “sufficient interest.” Disputes may arise over what constitutes a sufficient interest for disclosure of balances or transactions, and such questions could be resolved in the court that supervises funds and proceedings.
Interest calculation and accrual (secs 13-15). Points of disagreement could arise about when interest accrues (for example, the requirement for a credited amount on every day of the month under sec 14(d)), the rounding-down of the minimum monthly balance (sec 14(c)), and the treatment of half-yearly calculations (sec 15). These are detailed, formulaic provisions, but disputes about their application to particular balances or dates could result in litigation.
Application and timing of consolidated fund transfers and transfer-back rights (secs 26-29). Litigation may focus on whether the registrar complied with the publication and service requirements before applying for consolidated fund orders (sec 26), whether an application for payment out was “current” and thus precluded the registrar’s application without leave (sec 28(3)-(5)), and whether a transfer back order should restore interest lost while money was in the consolidated fund (sec 29(6) leaves that question to the court).
Payments upon death or intestacy (secs 18-20). Issues could arise about registrar satisfaction that a person died after an order was made (secs 18(1)(e), 19(1)(c)); the circumstances under which the chief executive may pay small intestate estates to certain relatives (sec 20), and the evidentiary requirements for affidavits proving entitlement.
Use of excess interest and debiting of publication costs (secs 16, 26(7)). Parties affected by administrative debits to the court suitors fund, or by publication costs charged proportionately against inactive accounts, may litigate whether those debits were authorised or proportionately allocated.
Because the regulation does not include an express privative clause limiting judicial review, it is reasonable to expect courts will be the primary forum for resolving disputes. The regulation’s reference points,court orders, registrar responsibilities, and chief executive accounting,are all matters that can be brought before a court under standard procedural channels, although the text itself does not outline an exclusive dispute resolution channel. Practitioners should therefore anticipate litigation on factual determinations (for example, the “sufficient interest” threshold or when a person died relative to an order) and on the correct application of mechanical accounting rules such as interest accrual and rounding.
Note: the regulation itself names no decisions or courts as having interpreted its provisions in the past. Any litigation history will therefore need to be obtained from judicial databases and the courts after commencement and through cases decided under the new rules.
Gotchas
This regulation contains a number of technical provisions and discrete traps for the unwary. The following points are practical “gotchas” grounded in the text.
Interest accrual is conditional and can be lost for initial months (sec 14):
Interest only accrues for a month if there is an amount credited to the proceeding or account on every day of the month (sec 14(d)).
If an amount is first credited after the first day of a month, interest does not accrue for that month (sec 14(d), example).
If the entire amount is paid out in a month, no interest accrues for that month (sec 14(e)).
Practitioners should not assume daily pro rata accrual from the day of deposit; the rule requires an amount to be credited every day of the month to attract interest for that month.
Rounding down of the minimum monthly balance (sec 14(c)):
Monthly interest accrues on the minimum monthly balance rounded down to the nearest whole dollar. This penalises small balances: cents are discarded month by month before interest is applied.
Semi-annual calculation and crediting (sec 15):
Interest is only calculated and credited within 15 days of each half-year end (30 June and 31 December). A claimant who expects interest to be reflected more frequently must be aware of this timing.
Before paying out an amount, the chief executive must calculate and credit accrued interest since the last calculation. This creates a timing checkpoint that may delay payment until accounting steps are completed (sec 15(2)).
Excess interest is fungible administrative revenue (sec 16):
Interest not credited to proceedings can be used to meet fund deficiencies or pay administrative expenses. For small balances where interest accrual is minimal, a substantial portion of interest could disappear to administrative costs rather than benefit claimants.
Publication costs can be debited to accounts (sec 26(7)):
If the registrar incurs costs publishing notices, those costs may be redeemed from the court suitors fund and debited against the accounts of inactive accounts in proportion to their balances. Small accounts may be consumed or reduced materially by this allocation.
Registrar satisfaction and discretionary gates (secs 6(3), 24(4), 31):
The registrar can require further affidavits if initial filings lack information (sec 6(3)). Compliance is mandatory, but the regulation does not provide an appeal route within the administrative regime; disputation is likely to require court action.
The registrar must be “satisfied” a claimant has a “sufficient interest” before supplying requested information (sec 24(4)); the regulation gives no definition of “sufficient interest.”
Affidavits used to evidence entitlement or conditions for payment of interest must be sworn in certain circumstances (sec 31(2)).
Fees may be retained from ordered costs (sec 17):
If a court orders costs to be ascertained and paid out of money in court, unpaid fees payable to the registrar in relation to the proceeding can be retained from the amount payable. This statutory set-off reduces net recovery for recipients.
Death and intestacy rules impose evidentiary checks (secs 18-20):
Payment to personal representatives or to relatives for small estates is conditional on registrar satisfaction or affidavits stating facts, and the chief executive is authorised to make payments to a personal representative only in narrow circumstances (sec 18). Practitioners should not assume automatic payment without satisfying these conditions.
Inactive-account process is time-sensitive (secs 25-28):
The registrar must prepare the list by 1 April each year for accounts inactive on 1 January (sec 26(1)). Notices must remain displayed and published until the closing day and must be served at least 42 days before the closing day (sec 26(3)-(5)). Applications for payment out must be made on or before the closing day or within further time the court allows (sec 27(3)). Missing these windows allows the registrar to apply for a consolidated fund order (sec 28).
Transfer-back applications do not restore interest automatically (sec 29(6)):
Unless the court orders otherwise, no interest accrues on amounts while they are in the consolidated fund between the consolidated fund order and a transfer back order. Claimants seeking full restoration should be aware the period in the consolidated fund may erase interest that would otherwise have accrued.
Bank guarantees and personal guarantees are not “securities” for s 75A of the Act (sec 32):
This definitional carve-out changes how such instruments are treated under the Act’s security provisions and may affect whether they are handled as registered securities in court custody regimes.
Each of these points is rooted in a specific section of the regulation. Practitioners and administrators should treat them as operating constraints rather than optional practice rules, and adjust drafting, affidavit evidence, record-keeping and timing of applications accordingly.
How to comply
This section sets out a practical compliance checklist and recommended steps for the principal actors , payers/depositors, claimants and solicitors, registrars, and the chief executive , grounded in specific sections.
A. For payers and depositors (money or securities)
Pay to the registrar. Ensure any amount to be paid into court is delivered to the registrar or securities are deposited with the registrar (sec 5(1)-(2)).
File the required affidavit. Immediately file an affidavit in the court containing:
the name of the person by or for whom the payment or deposit is made;
for payments, the amount; for securities, the number and face value;
the method by which the payment/deposit was made;
either the law and provision under which the payment/deposit is made, or, for payment/deposit under a court order, attach a copy of the order as an exhibit;
a brief description of the circumstances in which the payment/deposit was made; and
an express request that the registrar receive the money or securities (sec 6(2)).
Respond to registrar requests. If the registrar issues a written notice requiring a further affidavit to provide further stated information, comply promptly (sec 6(3)-(4)).
Obtain and retain the receipt. The registrar must issue a receipt that states who made the payment and identifies the proceeding or account credited; keep this for records and for any future claim (sec 7).
B. For claimants and solicitors seeking to protect or assert a claimed entitlement
Record a claimed entitlement. Send a written, signed request to the registrar asking to record the claimant’s claimed entitlement; include name and address, the proceeding/account, grounds of claim, and attach a copy of any court order if the entitlement arises under one (sec 23).
Request information carefully. To obtain balance, securities description or transaction details under sec 24, submit a written, signed request including the claimant’s name and address, proceeding/account, grounds for the claim, and the order if relevant. Be prepared to satisfy the registrar that you have a “sufficient interest” (sec 24(1)-(4)).
Monitor the inactive-account list and time windows. If funds are on the most recently prepared list of inactive accounts, file any payment out application on or before the closing day, or seek the court’s extension as part of the application (sec 26-27). Serve the registrar and each party to the proceeding with the application and supporting affidavit (sec 27(5)).
Affidavit standards. For payment out and transfer-back applications, file an affidavit stating the facts relied upon (secs 27(4), 29(2)-(4)). Where affidavits concern entitlement to interest or proof that a person is alive, be ready to provide a sworn affidavit as required (sec 31(2)).
C. For registrars
Receipt and remittance. On receipt of a payment or deposit ensure issuance of a receipt that complies with sec 7 and remit monies to the chief executive for payment into the court suitors fund as soon as practicable; provide written notice to the chief executive of securities deposits (sec 8).
Record-keeping for claims. When asked to record a claimed entitlement, ensure the request is written, signed and contains the required particulars; record the claimed entitlement “in an appropriate way” (sec 23(1)-(4)).
Information disclosure. Evaluate whether a claimant has a “sufficient interest” before releasing balance and transaction information. If disclosure is given, ensure the information is current as at the start of the day on which it is given and include the required statements (sec 24(4)-(6)).
Inactive-account process. Prepare the list of inactive accounts by 1 April for accounts inactive on 1 January, file the list in the court, display and publish the notice (including on the Queensland Courts website), and send copies to parties as required. Ensure the closing day is at least 42 days after the commencement of display or publication, and keep the notice displayed until the closing day. If publication costs are incurred, process redemption from the court suitors fund and debit proportionately across the inactive accounts if appropriate (sec 26).
Registrar’s procedural safeguards. If an affidavit lacks sufficient information, issue a written notice requiring a further affidavit and enforce compliance (sec 6(3)-(4)). When applying to the court for consolidated fund orders, file the notice and an affidavit stating compliance with sec 26 and that no current payment out application exists (sec 28(6)).
D. For the chief executive and custodial accounting
Credit interest and maintain records. On receipt of interest that has accrued on securities, pay it into the court suitors fund and credit the relevant proceeding or account unless ordered otherwise by a court (sec 9).
Apply the prescribed interest rate. Ensure interest is calculated at the RBA official cash rate plus 0.5% (sec 13). Apply the accrual rules: monthly accrual on the minimum monthly balance (rounded down), only when an amount is credited every day of the month, and with exceptions noted (sec 14).
Timely calculation and crediting. Within 15 days after 30 June and 31 December, calculate and credit interest for each proceeding or account (sec 15(1)). Before any payment out, calculate and credit interest accrued since the last calculation (sec 15(2)).
Use of excess interest. If interest has been earned but is not credited to any proceeding or account, apply it to make good fund deficiencies arising from administrative error or to pay administrative expenses, in accordance with sec 16.
Effecting court orders. Act promptly to deal with funds and securities in accordance with court orders once the registrar provides a copy of the order (sec 10).
E. For estates and representatives
Death and payments. If a person named in a court order dies before payment, check whether the court order addresses payment in the event of death. If not, and the order was to pay the person in their own right, the chief executive may pay the money or securities to the personal representative (sec 18). For small intestate estates with net assets not over $2,000, a spouse, child, sibling or parent entitled to apply for letters of administration and who files an affidavit stating the facts may be paid (sec 20).
Partnerships. If funds are payable to a partnership, the chief executive may pay one or more partners (sec 21).
F. Practical file and process recommendations
Retain copies of affidavits and receipts and keep dates for half-year calculations and inactive-account notice periods. Track the date of deposit relative to month start to determine interest accrual eligibility (sec 14).
When seeking information from registrars, provide robust factual material supporting a “sufficient interest” claim so disclosure is not delayed (sec 24).
For inactive accounts, monitor publication, display, and service dates to conserve statutory rights to payment out or to contest consolidated fund applications (secs 26-28).
Where funds may be small, consider the risk that publication costs and use of excess interest could reduce net recoveries (secs 16, 26(7)).
These compliance steps map directly to the statutory text and are designed to reduce administrative friction, avoid loss of interest or entitlement, and position claimants and administrators to use the court processes provided for disputes and recoveries.
Division pt.2-div.1Paying money or depositing securities into court
(a) state the name of the person by or for whom the payment or deposit is made; and
(b) state— (i) for a payment—the amount; or (ii) for a deposit—the number and face value of the securities; and
(i) for a payment—the amount; or
(ii) for a deposit—the number and face value of the securities; and
(c) state the way the payment or deposit is made; and
(d) either— (i) for a payment or deposit made under a law—specify the law, including the provision of the law; or (ii) for a payment or deposit made under a court order—include, as an exhibit, a copy of the order; and
(i) for a payment or deposit made under a law—specify the law, including the provision of the law; or
(ii) for a payment or deposit made under a court order—include, as an exhibit, a copy of the order; and
(e) briefly describe the circumstances in which the payment or deposit is made; and
(f) ask the registrar to receive the money or securities.
(i) for a payment—the amount; or
(ii) for a deposit—the number and face value of the securities; and
(i) for a payment or deposit made under a law—specify the law, including the provision of the law; or
(ii) for a payment or deposit made under a court order—include, as an exhibit, a copy of the order; and
sec.7 Receipt for money or securities
sec.7 Receipt for money or securities
The registrar must issue a receipt for an amount paid into court or securities deposited into court.
The receipt must—
state the name of the person by or for whom the payment or deposit was made; and
identify the proceeding or account to which the payment or deposit has been credited; and
state—
for a payment—the amount; or
for a deposit—a description of the securities.
(sec.7-ssec.1) The registrar must issue a receipt for an amount paid into court or securities deposited into court.
(sec.7-ssec.2) The receipt must— state the name of the person by or for whom the payment or deposit was made; and identify the proceeding or account to which the payment or deposit has been credited; and state— for a payment—the amount; or for a deposit—a description of the securities.
(a) state the name of the person by or for whom the payment or deposit was made; and
(b) identify the proceeding or account to which the payment or deposit has been credited; and
(c) state— (i) for a payment—the amount; or (ii) for a deposit—a description of the securities.
(i) for a payment—the amount; or
(ii) for a deposit—a description of the securities.
(i) for a payment—the amount; or
(ii) for a deposit—a description of the securities.
sec.8 Registrar to remit amounts received or notify securities deposited
sec.8 Registrar to remit amounts received or notify securities deposited
As soon as practicable after an amount is paid into court, the registrar must remit the amount to the chief executive for payment into the court suitors fund.
As soon as practicable after securities are deposited into court, the registrar must give written notice of the deposit to the chief executive.
(sec.8-ssec.1) As soon as practicable after an amount is paid into court, the registrar must remit the amount to the chief executive for payment into the court suitors fund.
(sec.8-ssec.2) As soon as practicable after securities are deposited into court, the registrar must give written notice of the deposit to the chief executive.
pt.2-div.2 Dealing with interest received on securities in court
Dealing with interest received on securities in court
sec.9 Payment of interest into fund
sec.9 Payment of interest into fund
This section applies if the chief executive receives an amount of interest that has accrued on securities in court.
Unless a court orders otherwise, the chief executive must—
pay the amount into the court suitors fund; and
credit the proceeding or account for which the securities are deposited with the amount of the interest.
(sec.9-ssec.1) This section applies if the chief executive receives an amount of interest that has accrued on securities in court.
(sec.9-ssec.2) Unless a court orders otherwise, the chief executive must— pay the amount into the court suitors fund; and credit the proceeding or account for which the securities are deposited with the amount of the interest.
(a) pay the amount into the court suitors fund; and
(b) credit the proceeding or account for which the securities are deposited with the amount of the interest.
pt.2-div.3 Dealing with money or securities in court
Dealing with money or securities in court
sec.10 Court order about payment or other dealing
sec.10 Court order about payment or other dealing
This section applies if a person obtains a court order that money in court or securities in court be dealt with in a particular way or that the chief executive make a particular payment.
The person must give a copy of the order to the registrar.
On receiving the copy, the registrar must give a copy to the chief executive.
On receiving the copy, the chief executive must deal with the money in court or securities in court, or make the payment, in accordance with the court order.
In this section—
dealt with means paid, invested or sold.
(sec.10-ssec.1) This section applies if a person obtains a court order that money in court or securities in court be dealt with in a particular way or that the chief executive make a particular payment.
(sec.10-ssec.2) The person must give a copy of the order to the registrar.
(sec.10-ssec.3) On receiving the copy, the registrar must give a copy to the chief executive.
(sec.10-ssec.4) On receiving the copy, the chief executive must deal with the money in court or securities in court, or make the payment, in accordance with the court order.
(sec.10-ssec.5) In this section— dealt with means paid, invested or sold.
sec.11 Court order to pay money or securities in court includes interest
sec.11 Court order to pay money or securities in court includes interest
This section applies if a court orders money in court or securities in court to be paid to a person.
Unless the court orders otherwise, the amount or securities to be paid to the person includes any interest accrued on the money in court or securities in court.
(sec.11-ssec.1) This section applies if a court orders money in court or securities in court to be paid to a person.
(sec.11-ssec.2) Unless the court orders otherwise, the amount or securities to be paid to the person includes any interest accrued on the money in court or securities in court.
sec.12 Securities acquired using money or securities in court
sec.12 Securities acquired using money or securities in court
This section applies if securities are acquired using money in court or securities in court.
Unless a court orders otherwise, the chief executive must credit the acquired securities to the same proceeding or account to which the money in court or securities in court are credited.
(sec.12-ssec.1) This section applies if securities are acquired using money in court or securities in court.
(sec.12-ssec.2) Unless a court orders otherwise, the chief executive must credit the acquired securities to the same proceeding or account to which the money in court or securities in court are credited.
pt.2-div.4 Interest payable on money in court
Interest payable on money in court
sec.13 Interest rate
sec.13 Interest rate
The interest rate applying to money in court is the Reserve Bank of Australia’s official cash rate plus 0.5%.
sec.14 Accrual of interest on money in court
sec.14 Accrual of interest on money in court
Interest accrues on the money in court credited to a proceeding or account as follows—
interest accrues at the rate applying under section 13 ;
interest accrues each month on the minimum monthly balance of the proceeding or account;
for paragraph (b) , the minimum monthly balance is rounded down to the nearest whole dollar amount;
interest accrues for a month only if there is an amount credited to the proceeding or account on every day of the month;
Interest does not accrue for a month if, after the first day of the month, an amount is paid into court and credited to the proceeding or account for the first time.
interest does not accrue for a month during which the entire amount credited to the proceeding or account is paid out of the court suitors fund.
(a) interest accrues at the rate applying under section 13 ;
(b) interest accrues each month on the minimum monthly balance of the proceeding or account;
(c) for paragraph (b) , the minimum monthly balance is rounded down to the nearest whole dollar amount;
(d) interest accrues for a month only if there is an amount credited to the proceeding or account on every day of the month; Example— Interest does not accrue for a month if, after the first day of the month, an amount is paid into court and credited to the proceeding or account for the first time.
(e) interest does not accrue for a month during which the entire amount credited to the proceeding or account is paid out of the court suitors fund.
sec.15 Calculation and crediting of interest
sec.15 Calculation and crediting of interest
Within 15 days after the end of each half-year, the chief executive must, for each proceeding or account to which money in court is credited—
calculate the interest that accrued during the half year on the amount of the money in court; and
credit the proceeding or account with the amount of the interest.
Before paying an amount of money in court credited to a proceeding or account to a person entitled to it, the chief executive must—
calculate the interest that accrued on the amount since interest was last calculated and credited to the proceeding or account under subsection (1) ; and
credit the proceeding or account with the amount of the interest.
In this section—
half year means a period of 6 months ending on 30 June or 31 December in a year.
(sec.15-ssec.1) Within 15 days after the end of each half-year, the chief executive must, for each proceeding or account to which money in court is credited— calculate the interest that accrued during the half year on the amount of the money in court; and credit the proceeding or account with the amount of the interest.
(sec.15-ssec.2) Before paying an amount of money in court credited to a proceeding or account to a person entitled to it, the chief executive must— calculate the interest that accrued on the amount since interest was last calculated and credited to the proceeding or account under subsection (1) ; and credit the proceeding or account with the amount of the interest.
(sec.15-ssec.3) In this section— half year means a period of 6 months ending on 30 June or 31 December in a year.
(a) calculate the interest that accrued during the half year on the amount of the money in court; and
(b) credit the proceeding or account with the amount of the interest.
(a) calculate the interest that accrued on the amount since interest was last calculated and credited to the proceeding or account under subsection (1) ; and
(b) credit the proceeding or account with the amount of the interest.
sec.16 Use of excess interest
sec.16 Use of excess interest
The chief executive may use an amount of interest earned by the court suitors fund that is not credited to any proceeding or account—
to make good any deficiency in the fund arising from an administrative error or in another way; or
to pay an expense incurred in administering the fund.
(a) to make good any deficiency in the fund arising from an administrative error or in another way; or
(b) to pay an expense incurred in administering the fund.
pt.2-div.5 Payment of money or securities out of court
Payment of money or securities out of court
sec.17 Payment of amount awarded as costs after paying outstanding fees
sec.17 Payment of amount awarded as costs after paying outstanding fees
T
This is an opening excerpt, not the complete document.