3Interpretation

### 3 Interpretation > In these rules – > > > ***Act*** means the [Magistrates Court (Civil Division) Act 1992](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1992-027) ; > > [*\[Rule 3 Amended by S.R. 2013, No. 69, Applied:04 Sep 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-09-04/sr-2013-069#GS4@Hpa@EN) > > > [*\[Rule 3 Amended by S.R. 2013, No. 69, Applied:04 Sep 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-09-04/sr-2013-069#GS4@Hpa@EN) ***action*** means an action commenced by a claim; > > > [*\[Rule 3 Amended by S.R. 2013, No. 69, Applied:04 Sep 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-09-04/sr-2013-069#GS4@Hpb@EN) ***address for service***, in relation to a party or a practitioner acting on behalf of a party, is the address shown on any document filed by the party or practitioner in the course of a proceeding; > > > [*\[Rule 3 Amended by S.R. 2013, No. 69, Applied:04 Sep 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-09-04/sr-2013-069#GS4@Hpc@EN) ***application*** means – > > > > > > (a) an originating application, in writing, by which a proceeding mentioned in [Division 4A](#HP3@HD4A@EN) of [Part 3](#HP3@EN) is commenced; or > > > > > > > (b) an interlocutory application, whether oral or in writing, made to the Court in the course of any proceedings already commenced in the Court; > > > [*\[Rule 3 Amended by S.R. 2013, No. 69, Applied:04 Sep 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-09-04/sr-2013-069#GS4@Hpc@EN) ***approved*** means approved by the Chief Magistrate; > > > ***approved document exchange*** means a document exchange approved under [rule 159(1)](#GS158@Gs1@EN) ; > > > ***assessed***, in relation to costs, means assessed under [Division 2](#HP9@HD2@EN) of [Part 9](#HP9@EN) ; > > > ***assessment of costs*** means an assessment of costs under [rule 148](#GS148@EN) ; > > > ***assessment officer*** means the Court or a registrar who conducts an assessment of costs; > > > ***attachment order*** means an order made under [rule 125(1)](#GS125@Gs1@EN) ; > > > ***bill of costs*** means a bill of costs referred to in [rule 146](#GS146@EN) ; > > > ***certified rate*** means the rate of interest applicable to the Litigants Fund for the period of 6 months immediately preceding 30 June or 31 December in any year; > > > [*\[Rule 3 Amended by S.R. 2003, No. 119, Applied:03 Oct 2003\]*](/view/html/inforce/2003-10-03/sr-2003-119#GS4@EN) ***claim*** includes any minor civil claim, any other claim commencing an action or any defence, counterclaim, set-off, reply, interpleader or third party claim; > > > ***claimant*** includes a claimant in a counterclaim or third party claim; > > [*\[Rule 3 Amended by S.R. 2013, No. 69, Applied:04 Sep 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-09-04/sr-2013-069#GS4@Hpd@EN) > > > [*\[Rule 3 Amended by S.R. 2013, No. 69, Applied:04 Sep 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-09-04/sr-2013-069#GS4@Hpd@EN) ***complex proceeding*** means a complex proceeding referred to in [rule 139](#GS139@EN) ; > > > ***conciliation conference*** means a conference held to consider the matters specified in [rule 87](#GS87@EN) ; > > > [*\[Rule 3 Amended by S.R. 2000, No. 195, Applied:15 Nov 2000\]*](/view/html/inforce/2000-11-15/sr-2000-195#GS4@EN) ***conciliator*** means a person appointed under rule 80A to conduct conciliation conferences and mediation conferences; > > [*\[Rule 3 Amended by S.R. 2013, No. 69, Applied:04 Sep 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-09-04/sr-2013-069#GS4@Hpe@EN) > > > [*\[Rule 3 Amended by S.R. 2013, No. 69, Applied:04 Sep 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-09-04/sr-2013-069#GS4@Hpe@EN) ***conduct a proceeding*** includes compromise a proceeding; > > > ***consent judgment*** means a judgment entered in the terms of a consent filed jointly by the parties; > > > ***Court seal*** means – > > > > > > (a) the seal of the Magistrates Court within the meaning of the [Magistrates Court Act 1987](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1987-045) ; or > > > > > > > (b) a seal in the custody of a district registrar under the [Magistrates Court Act 1987](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1987-045) ; > > > ***Court stamp*** means the stamp of the Court bearing an imprint identical to the Court seal; > > > ***date of judgment*** means the date on which a judgment takes effect; > > > ***default judgment*** means judgment entered against a party – > > > > > > (a) in default of defence; or > > > > > > > (b) in default of compliance with an order of the Court; > > > ***defence*** means a defence filed under [rule 48](#GS48@EN) ; > > > ***defendant*** includes a defendant to a counterclaim or third party claim; > > > ***directions hearing*** means a hearing referred to in [rule 80(1)(a)](#GS80@Gs1@Hpa@EN) ; > > > ***district registrar*** means a district registrar appointed under the [Magistrates Court Act 1987](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1987-045) ; > > > ***district registry*** means a district registry established under the [Magistrates Court Act 1987](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1987-045) ; > > > ***document*** includes – > > > > > > (a) a copy of a document; and > > > > > > > (b) in addition to a document in writing – > > > > > > > > > > (i) an audio tape; or > > > > > > > > > > > (ii) a computer program or software, and any data or information recorded in or processed by a computer; or > > > > > > > > > > > (iii) a film; or > > > > > > > > > > > (iv) a microfiche record; > > > ***DX number*** means the identifying number of a box at an approved document exchange from where a person is entitled to collect documents; > > > ***EDX*** means the electronic exchange of documents approved under [rule 159(1)](#GS158@Gs1@EN) ; > > > ***evidentiary material*** means any document, object or substance of evidentiary value – > > > > > > (a) that is produced in proceedings before the Court; or > > > > > > > (b) that, in the opinion of the Court, ought to be produced for the purpose of enabling the Court to determine whether or not it has evidentiary value; > > > ***execution*** means the enforcement of a judgment; > > > ***fax*** means a facsimile of a document transmitted electronically through a telecommunications system; > > > ***filed*** means filed in a registry; > > > ***film*** includes a photograph, videotape or cinematographic film; > > > ***final judgment*** means – > > > > > > (a) a consent judgment; or > > > > > > > (b) any judgment given at the conclusion of a trial; or > > > > > > > (c) any judgment made in the terms of the acceptance of – > > > > > > > > > > (i) an offer of compromise; or > > > > > > > > > > > (ii) a payment into Court; or > > > > > > > (d) a summary judgment; > > > ***function*** includes duty; > > > ***infant*** means a person who has not attained the age of 18 years; > > > ***interlocutory judgment*** means any judgment that is not a final judgment; > > > ***judgment*** means – > > > > > > (a) [*\[Rule 3 Amended by S.R. 2013, No. 69, Applied:04 Sep 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-09-04/sr-2013-069#GS4@Hpf@EN) a judgment, declaration, decree, decision or order of the Court finally disposing of a proceeding; or > > > > > > > (b) an interlocutory judgment, declaration, decree, decision or order of the Court; > > > ***judgment debt*** includes costs and interest; > > > [*\[Rule 3 Amended by S.R. 2009, No. 78, Applied:08 Jul 2009\]*](/view/html/inforce/2009-07-08/sr-2009-078#GS4@Hpa@EN) ***law practice*** has the same meaning as in the [Legal Profession Act 2007](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2007-024) ; > > > ***listing conference*** means a conference held under [rule 80(1)(d)](#GS80@Gs1@Hpd@EN) ; > > > ***Litigants Fund*** means the Magistrates Court (Civil Division) Litigants Fund established under [rule 159](#GS159@EN) ; > > > ***litigation guardian*** means a litigation guardian appointed or self-appointed under [rule 21](#GS21@EN) ; > > > ***magistrate*** means a magistrate within the meaning of the [Magistrates Court Act 1987](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1987-045) ; > > > ***mediation conference*** means a conference referred to in [rule 80(1)(c)](#GS80@Gs1@Hpc@EN) ; > > > ***Motor Accidents Insurance Board*** means the Motor Accidents Insurance Board established under [section 4 of the](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1973-071#GS4@EN) [Motor Accidents (Liabilities and Compensation) Act 1973](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1973-071) ; > > > ***operative date*** means the earlier of – > > > > > > (a) 21 days after the issue of a notice of trial; or > > > > > > > (b) the date on which a conciliation conference is concluded; or > > > > > > > (c) if the Court adjourns a conciliation conference, the date to which the conference has been adjourned; > > > ***order*** includes – > > > > > > (a) a direction; and > > > > > > > (b) the granting of leave; > > > [*\[Rule 3 Amended by S.R. 2013, No. 69, Applied:04 Sep 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-09-04/sr-2013-069#GS4@Hpg@EN) ***originating process*** means – > > > > > > (a) any document by which an original proceeding is commenced; and > > > > > > > (b) a claim; > > > [*\[Rule 3 Amended by S.R. 2013, No. 69, Applied:04 Sep 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-09-04/sr-2013-069#GS4@Hph@EN) ***party*** means a party to any proceeding; > > > ***payment into Court*** means a payment to a registrar under [rule 92(1)](#GS92@Gs1@EN) ; > > > ***person under disability*** means – > > > > > > (a) an infant; or > > > > > > > (b) [*\[Rule 3 Amended by S.R. 2013, No. 69, Applied:04 Sep 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-09-04/sr-2013-069#GS4@Hpi@EN) any other party who by reason of physical, mental or intellectual impairment is unable to give sufficient instructions to conduct a proceeding; > > > ***pleadings*** includes a statement in writing of the claim of a party and any particulars of that statement; > > > ***practice direction*** means a practice direction under [rule 9](#GS9@EN) ; > > [*\[Rule 3 Amended by S.R. 2009, No. 78, Applied:08 Jul 2009\]*](/view/html/inforce/2009-07-08/sr-2009-078#GS4@Hpb@EN) > > > [*\[Rule 3 Amended by S.R. 2009, No. 78, Applied:08 Jul 2009\]*](/view/html/inforce/2009-07-08/sr-2009-078#GS4@Hpb@EN) ***practitioner*** means an Australian legal practitioner; > > [*\[Rule 3 Amended by S.R. 2009, No. 78, Applied:08 Jul 2009\]*](/view/html/inforce/2009-07-08/sr-2009-078#GS4@Hpc@EN) > > > ***prescribed rate*** means the prescribed rate for the purpose of Division 2 of Part 5 of the Act; > > [*\[Rule 3 Amended by S.R. 2013, No. 69, Applied:04 Sep 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-09-04/sr-2013-069#GS4@Hpj@EN) > > > [*\[Rule 3 Amended by S.R. 2013, No. 69, Applied:04 Sep 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-09-04/sr-2013-069#GS4@Hpj@EN) ***proceeding*** means any matter commenced by originating process; > > > ***property*** means real or personal property; > > > ***representation order*** means an order under [rule 16](#GS16@EN) ; > > [*\[Rule 3 Amended by S.R. 2013, No. 69, Applied:04 Sep 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-09-04/sr-2013-069#GS4@Hpk@EN) > > > [*\[Rule 3 Amended by S.R. 2013, No. 69, Applied:04 Sep 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-09-04/sr-2013-069#GS4@Hpk@EN) ***routine proceeding*** means any action other than a complex proceeding; > > > ***sealed*** means – > > > > > > (a) sealed with the Court seal; or > > > > > > > (b) stamped with the Court stamp; > > > ***service*** means service under [rule 40](#GS40@EN) ; > > > ***substituted service*** means service in accordance with an order of the Court under [rule 42](#GS42@EN) ; > > > ***summary judgment*** means a summary judgment under [rule 115](#GS115@EN) ; > > > ***summons*** means a summons to a witness under [rule 102](#GS102@EN) ; > > > ***third party*** includes any subsequent party; > > > ***third party claim*** means a claim filed against a third party under [rule 52](#GS52@EN) ; > > > ***time for service*** means the period of time within which a document is to be served; > > > ***time limit*** means the period of time within which a party is to take a proceeding or do any other thing.