Part Part 4 - Supreme Court (General Civil Procedure) Rules 2025 - Miscellaneous 6 | ZoeVICIn ForceRegulation
Supreme Court (General Civil Procedure) Rules 2025
Part 4Miscellaneous 6
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Part 4—Miscellaneous 6
1.14 Exercise of power 6
1.14.1 Exercise of powers of Registrar by Associate Judge 7
1.15 Procedure wanting or in doubt 7
1.16 Act by corporation 8
1.17 Corporation a party 8
1.18 Power to act by solicitor 8
1.19 Continuation of address for service 9
Order 2—Non-compliance with the Rules 10
2.01 Effect of non-compliance 10
2.02 Originating process 10
2.03 Application to set aside for irregularity 10
2.04 Dispensing with compliance 11
Order 3—Time, sittings and Court office 12
3.01 Calculating time 12
3.02 Extension and abridgement 12
3.03 Fixing time 13
3.04 Process in vacation 13
3.05 Time for service 13
3.06 Proceedings after a year 13
3.07 Sittings and vacation 14
3.08 Office 14
3.09 Office hours 14
Order 4—Process in the Court 15
Part 1—General 15
4.01 How proceeding commenced 15
4.02 Interlocutory application 15
4.03 Names of parties 15
4.04 When writ required 16
4.05 When originating motion required 16
4.06 Optional commencement by originating motion 16
4.07 Continuance as writ of proceeding by originating motion 16
4.08 Urgent case 17
Part 2—Certifications requirements for proceedings 17
4.09 Overarching obligations certification 17
4.09.1 Certification of prior overarching obligations certification 18
4.10 Proper basis certification 18
Order 5—Content, filing and duration of originating process 19
5.01 Definitions 19
5.02 Form of originating process 19
5.03 Appearance 19
5.04 Indorsement of claim on writ 19
5.05 Indorsement of claim on motion 20
5.06 Indorsement as to capacity 20
5.07 Address of parties 20
5.08 Place and mode of trial 21
5.09 Stay on payment of costs 21
5.10 Petition 22
5.11 Filing of originating process 22
5.12 Duration and renewal of originating process 23
Order 6—Service 25
6.01 When personal service necessary 25
6.02 Personal service of originating process 25
6.03 How personal service effected 25
6.04 Service on particular defendants 25
6.05 Motor car death or bodily injury 26
6.06 Address for service 27
6.06.1 Solicitor changing address 27
6.06.2 Email address for service 28
6.06.3 Party changing email address for service 28
6.07 How ordinary service effected 28
6.08 Identity of person served 31
6.09 Acceptance of service by solicitor 32
6.10 Substituted service 32
6.11 Confirmation of informal service 34
6.12 Service by filing 34
6.14 Service under contract 35
6.15 Recovery of vacant land 35
6.16 Service of notice by the Court 36
6.17 Affidavit of service 36
Order 7—Service out of Australia 37
Part 1—Service out of Australia 37
7.01 Part does not apply to service in New Zealand of documents for or in certain Trans-Tasman proceedings 37
7.02 When allowed without leave 37
7.03 When allowed with leave 42
7.04 Court's discretion whether to assume jurisdiction 42
7.05 Notice to person served out of Australia 43
7.06 Time for filing appearance 43
7.07 Leave to proceed where no appearance by person 44
7.08 Service of other documents out of Australia 44
Part 2—Service in foreign country 44
7.10 Documents required 45
7.12 Request and undertaking 46
7.13 Procedure on lodgment and filing 46
7.14 Evidence of service 47
7.15 Order for payment of expenses 47
Order 7A—Trans-Tasman proceedings 48
7A.02 Application of Order 49
7A.03 Commencement of proceeding for order under Trans-Tasman Proceedings Act 49
7A.04 Interlocutory application under Trans‑Tasman Proceedings Act 49
7A.05 Application for interim relief 49
7A.06 Application for leave to serve subpoena in New Zealand 50
7A.07 Form of subpoena 52
7A.08 Application to set aside subpoena 52
7A.09 Application for issue of certificate of non‑compliance with subpoena 52
7A.10 Form of certificate of non-compliance 53
7A.11 Application for registration of NZ judgment 53
7A.12 Notice of registration of NZ judgment 54
7A.13 Application for extension of time to give notice of registration of NZ judgment 54
7A.14 Application to set aside registration of NZ judgment 55
7A.15 Application for stay of enforcement of registered NZ judgment to enable liable person to appeal 55
7A.16 Application for extension of time to apply for stay of enforcement of registered NZ judgment to enable liable person to appeal 56
7A.17 Application for order for use of audio link or audiovisual link 56
8.02 Appearance before taking step 57
8.03 Who to file appearance 57
8.04 Time for appearance 57
8.05 Mode of filing appearance 58
8.06 Address for service of defendant 58
8.08 Conditional appearance 60
8.09 Setting aside writ or originating motion 60
Order 9—Joinder of claims and parties 61
9.01 Joinder of claims 61
9.02 Permissive joinder of parties 61
9.03 Joinder of necessary parties 61
9.04 Joinder inconvenient 62
9.05 Effect of misjoinder or non-joinder of party 63
9.06 Addition, removal, substitution of party 63
9.07 Procedure for addition of party 64
9.08 Defendant dead at commencement of proceeding 64
9.09 Change of party on death, bankruptcy 67
9.10 Failure to proceed after death of party 68
9.11 Amendment of proceedings after change of party 69
9.12 Consolidation or trial together 70
9.13 Conduct of proceeding 70
10.01 Application of Order 71
10.02 When counterclaim allowed 71
10.03 Counterclaim against plaintiff and another person 71
10.04 Procedure after counterclaim against another person 71
10.05 Trial of counterclaim 73
10.06 Counterclaim inconvenient 73
10.08 Counterclaim on stay etc., of original proceeding 73
10.09 Judgment for balance 74
Order 11—Third party procedure 75
11.01 Claim by third party notice 75
11.02 Statement of claim on third party notice 75
11.03 Time for appearance 75
11.04 Filing and service of third party notice 76
11.05 Time for third party notice 76
11.06 Leave to file third party notice 77
11.07 Other requirements for service 77
11.08 Appearance by third party 78
11.09 Defence of third party 78
11.10 Counterclaim by third party 79
11.11 Default by third party 79
11.12 Discovery and trial 80
11.13 Third party directions 81
11.14 Judgment between defendant and third party 82
11.15 Claim against another party 82
11.16 Fourth and subsequent parties 83
12.02 Stakeholder's interpleader 85
12.03 Sheriff's interpleader 86
12.04 Sheriff's summons to state claim 86
12.05 Notice to execution creditor 87
12.06 Admission of claim 87
12.07 Interpleader summons 88
12.09 Default by claimant 89
12.10 Neutrality of applicant 90
12.11 Order in several proceedings 90
12.12 Trial of interpleader question 91
13.01 Formal requirements 92
13.02 Content of pleading 92
13.03 Document or conversation 93
13.04 Fact presumed true 93
13.05 Condition precedent 93
13.06 Implied contract or relation 93
13.07 Matter which must be pleaded 93
13.09 Inconsistent pleading 94
13.10 Particulars of pleading 95
13.11 Order for particulars 96
13.12 Admission and denials 96
13.13 Denial by joinder of issue 97
13.14 Money claim as defence 97
Order 14—Service of pleadings 99
14.01 Statement of claim indorsed on writ 99
14.02 Statement of claim not indorsed on writ 99
14.03 Alteration of claim as indorsed on writ 99
14.04 Service of defence 99
14.06 Pleading after reply 100
14.07 Defence to counterclaim 100
14.08 Close of pleadings 100
14.09 Order as to pleadings 101
14.10 Filing of pleadings 101
Order 15—Persons under disability 102
15.02 Litigation guardian of person under disability 102
15.03 Appointment of litigation guardian 102
15.04 No appearance by person under disability 104
15.05 Application to discharge or vary certain orders 104
15.06 Pleading admission by person under disability 104
15.08 Compromise of claim by a person under disability 105
15.09 Execution against money in court 106
15.10 Counterclaim and claim by third party notice 107
Order 16—Executors, administrators and trustees 108
16.01 Representation of unascertained persons 108
16.03 Deceased person 110
Order 17—Partners and sole proprietors 111
17.02 Disclosure of partners 111
17.03 Service of originating process 112
17.04 Appearance by partners 112
17.05 No appearance except by partners 113
17.06 Appearance under objection of person sued as partner 113
17.07 Enforcement of judgment 114
17.08 Enforcement between partners 115
17.09 Attachment of debts 115
17.10 Person using the business name 116
17.11 Charge on partner's interest 116
Order 18—Representative proceeding 118
18.02 Proceeding by or against representative 118
18.03 Order for representation by defendant 118
18.04 Effect of judgment 118
Order 18A—Group proceeding 120
18A.02 Consent to be group member 120
18A.05 Order involving notice 120
Order 19—Notice of constitutional matter 121
19.03 Filing and service 121
Order 20—Change of solicitor 123
20.01 Notice of change 123
20.02 Party appointing solicitor 123
20.03 Solicitor ceasing to act 123
20.04 Removal of solicitor from record 124
20.05 Address for service 125
20.06 Death, retirement etc., of Victorian Government Solicitor or Australian Government Solicitor 126
Order 21—Judgment in default of appearance or pleading 127
21.01 Default of appearance 127
21.02 Default of defence 127
21.03 Judgment for recovery of debt, damages or property 128
21.04 Judgment other than for recovery of debt, damages or property 130
21.05 Proceeding continued against other defendants 130
21.06 Default of defence to counterclaim 130
21.07 Setting aside judgment 130
Order 22—Summary judgment 131
Part 2—Application by plaintiff for summary judgment 131
22.03 Application by plaintiff for judgment 131
22.04 Summons and affidavit in support 131
22.05 Defendant to show cause 132
22.06 Affidavit in reply 133
22.07 Cross-examination on affidavit 133
22.08 Hearing of application 133
22.09 Assessment of damages 134
22.10 Judgment where debt amount unascertained 134
22.12 Continuing for other claim or against other defendant 135
22.13 Judgment for delivery up of chattel 136
22.14 Relief against forfeiture 136
22.15 Setting aside judgment 136
Part 3—Application by defendant for summary judgment 136
22.16 Application by defendant for judgment 136
22.18 Affidavit in support 136
22.19 Plaintiff to show cause 137
22.20 Affidavit in reply 137
22.21 Cross-examination on affidavit 138
22.22 Hearing of application 138
22.23 Setting aside judgment 139
Part 4—Application by or against third or subsequent party 139
22.24 Third or subsequent party 139
Order 23—Summary stay or dismissal of claim and striking out pleading 140
23.01 Stay or judgment in proceeding 140
23.02 Striking out pleading 140
23.04 Affidavit evidence 141
23.05 Declaratory judgment 141
Order 24—Judgment on failure to prosecute or obey order for particulars or discovery 142
24.01 Judgment on dismissal 142
24.02 Failure to obey order 142
24.03 Stay on non-payment of costs 143
24.04 Counterclaim and third party claim 143
24.05 Inherent jurisdiction 143
24.06 Setting aside judgment 143
Order 25—Discontinuance and withdrawal 145
25.01 Withdrawal of appearance 145
25.02 Discontinuance or withdrawal of proceeding or claim 145
25.03 Proceeding not commenced by writ 146
25.04 Notice of discontinuance or withdrawal 146
25.06 Discontinuance or withdrawal no defence 147
25.07 Stay on non-payment of costs 147
25.08 Dismissal of inactive proceedings 147
Order 26—Offers of compromise and offers to compromise on appeal 149
Part 1—Interpretation 149
Part 2—Offers of compromise 149
26.02 Offers of compromise generally 149
26.03 Time for making, accepting etc. offer 150
26.03.1 Time for payment 151
26.04 Effect of offer 151
26.05 Disclosure of offer to Court 152
26.06 Party under disability 152
26.07 Withdrawal of acceptance 152
26.07.1 Failure to comply with accepted offer 153
26.07.2 Multiple defendants 153
26.08 Costs consequences of failure to accept 154
26.08.1 Pre-litigation offers 156
26.10 Contributor parties 157
Part 3—Offer to compromise on appeal 158
26.12 Appeal to Court of Appeal 158
Order 27—Content and form of Court documents 161
27.01 Conformity with Rules 161
27.02 Heading and title of document 161
27.03 Form of document 162
27.05 Copies on request 164
27.07 Scandalous matter 164
Order 28—Filing, sealing and inspection of documents 165
28.00 Application of this Order 165
28.02 How and when a document is filed 166
28.03 Powers of Prothonotary or Registrar 166
28.03.1 Powers of Prothonotary in relation to usernames and passwords 168
28.03.2 Authentication of judgments and orders 168
28.03.3 Confidentiality and privacy 169
Part 2—Sealing and inspection of Court documents 169
28.04 Seal of the Court 169
28.05 Inspection of documents 170
Order 29—Discovery and inspection of documents 172
29.01 Application and definition 172
29.01.1 Scope of discovery 172
29.02 Notice for discovery 173
29.03 Discovery after notice 174
29.04 Affidavit of documents 174
29.05 Order limiting discovery 175
29.05.1 Order for general discovery 175
29.05.2 Order for expanded discovery 175
29.06 Co-defendants and third party 175
29.07 Order for discovery 176
29.08 Order for particular discovery 176
29.09 Inspection of documents referred to in affidavit of documents 177
29.10 Inspection of documents referred to in pleadings and affidavits 178
29.11 Order for discovery 180
29.12 Direction as to documents 180
29.12.1 Default notice 181
29.13 Inspection of document by Court 182
29.14 Default on discovery 182
29.15 Continuing obligation to make discovery 182
29.16 Discovery after directions 183
Order 30—Interrogatories 184
30.02 When interrogatories allowed 184
30.03 Statement as to who to answer 184
30.04 Filing interrogatories and time for answers 185
30.05 Source for answers to interrogatories 185
30.06 How interrogatories to be answered 187
30.07 Ground of objection to answer 187
30.08 Who to answer interrogatories 188
30.09 Failure to answer interrogatories 189
30.09.1 Default notice 189
30.10 Non-compliance with order 190
30.11 Answers as evidence 190
30.12 Interrogatories after directions 191
Order 31—Discovery by oral examination 192
31.03 Party a corporation 192
31.04 How consent given 193
31.05 Effect of consent 193
31.06 Appointment of examiner 193
31.07 Attendance on examination 194
31.08 Party a corporation 194
31.09 Powers of examiner 194
31.10 Record of examination 194
31.11 How party to be examined 195
31.12 Procedure on objection to question 196
31.13 Order to answer question 196
Order 32—Preliminary discovery and discovery from non-party 197
32.03 Discovery to identify a defendant 197
32.04 Party an applicant 198
32.05 Discovery from prospective defendant 198
32.06 Party an applicant 199
32.07 Discovery from non-party 199
32.09 Inspection of documents 200
32.10 Directions as to documents 200
Order 33—Medical examination and service of hospital and medical reports 202
33.04 Notice for examination 204
33.06 Report of examination of plaintiff 205
33.07 Service of reports by plaintiff 205
33.08 Service of reports by defendant 206
33.08.1 Other medical reports to be served 207
33.09 Opinion on liability 207
33.10 Material for Court 208
33.11 Medical report admissible 208
33.12 No evidence unless disclosed in report 209
34.01 Powers of Court 210
34.02 Nature of directions 210
34.03 Admissions and agreements 210
34.04 Duty to obtain directions 211
34.05 Associates may adjourn directions hearings 211
35.02 Voluntary admission of facts 212
35.03 Notice for admission of facts 212
35.04 Judgment on admissions 213
35.05 Notice for admission of documents 213
35.06 Cost of non-admission of fact or document 214
35.07 Restrictive effect of admission 214
35.08 Notice to produce documents 214
36.02 Failure to amend within time limited 216
36.03 Amendment of writ or other originating process before service and disallowance of amendment 216
36.04 Amendment of pleading and disallowance of amendment 217
36.05 How pleading amendment made 218
36.06 Pleading to an amended pleading 218
36.07 Amendment of judgment or order 219
Order 37—Inspection, detention and preservation of property 220
37.01 Inspection, detention etc. of property 220
37.02 Inspection from prospective defendant 221
37.04 Disposal of perishable property 223
37.05 Payment into Court in discharge of lien 223
37.06 Interim distribution of property or income 223
37.07 Jurisdiction of Court not affected 224
Order 37A—Freezing orders 225
37A.02 Freezing order 225
37A.03 Ancillary order 226
37A.04 Respondent need not be party to proceeding 227
37A.05 Order against judgment debtor or prospective judgment debtor or third party 227
37A.06 Jurisdiction of Court not limited 229
37A.09 Application to be heard by Judge of the Court 230
Order 37B—Search orders 231
37B.03 Requirements for grant of search order 232
37B.04 Jurisdiction of Court not limited 234
37B.05 Terms of search order 234
37B.06 Independent solicitors 235
37B.09 Application to be heard by Judge of the Court 236
38.01 When Court may grant 237
38.02 Application before trial 237
38.03 Costs and expenses of non-party 237
38.04 Ouster of office 237
39.01 Application and definitions 239
39.02 Appointment of receiver 239
39.03 Service of order 239
39.04 Consent of receiver 239
39.05 Security by receiver 240
39.06 Remuneration of receiver 240
39.07 Receiver's accounts 240
39.08 Default by receiver 241
39.09 Directions to receivers 242
Order 40—Evidence generally 243
40.02 Evidence of witness 243
40.03 Contrary direction as to evidence 243
40.04 Examination on affidavit 244
40.05 Evidence of particular facts 244
40.06 Revocation or variation of order 245
40.07 Deposition as evidence 245
40.08 Proof of Court documents 246
40.09 Evidence of consent 246
40.11 Subsequent use of evidence at trial 247
40.12 Attendance and production 247
Order 41—Evidence before trial 249
Part 1—Evidence by deposition 249
41.01 Order for witness examination 249
41.02 Documents for examiner 249
41.03 Appointment for examination 249
41.04 Conduct of examination 250
41.05 Examination of additional persons 250
41.07 Taking of depositions 252
41.08 Authentication and filing 252
41.08.1 Confidentiality of deposition 253
41.09 Report of examiner 253
41.10 Default of witness 253
41.11 Witness allowance 254
41.12 Perpetuation of testimony 254
41.13 Letter of request 254
41.16 Order for payment of expenses 256
Part 2—Applications for taking evidence abroad under Part 2 of the Foreign Evidence Act 1994 of the Commonwealth 257
41.19 How application made 257
41.21 Notice of application 257
42.02 Issuing of subpoena 258
42.03 Form of subpoena 259
42.03.1 Alteration of date for attendance or production 260
42.04 Setting aside or other relief 261
42.06 Compliance with subpoena 261
42.07 Production otherwise than upon attendance 263
42.08 Removal, return, inspection, copying and disposal of documents and things 264
42.09 Inspection of, and dealing with, documents and things produced otherwise than on attendance 264
42.10 Disposal of documents and things produced 266
42.11 Costs and expenses of compliance 267
42.12 Failure to comply with subpoena—contempt of court 267
42.13 Documents and things in the custody of a court 268
Order 42A—Subpoena for production to Prothonotary 269
42A.02 Issuing subpoena 269
42A.03 Form of subpoena 269
42A.04 Affidavit of service 269
42A.05 Compliance with subpoena 270
42A.06 Receipt for document 271
42A.07 Objection by addressee or other person 271
42A.08 Objection by party to inspection by other party 271
42A.09 Procedure after objection 272
42A.10 Inspection of document produced 272
42A.11 Removal of document 272
42A.12 Return or disposal of document 273
42A.13 Production of document at trial 274
42A.14 Subpoena for trial not affected 275
43.00 Definitions for this Order 276
43.01 Form of affidavit 276
43.02 Affidavit by illiterate or blind person 277
43.02.1 Affidavit where interpreter required 278
43.03 Content of affidavit 279
43.04 Affidavit by 2 or more deponents 279
43.07 Time for swearing 281
Order 44—Expert evidence 282
44.02 Application of Order 282
44.03 Report of expert 282
44.04 Other party's report as evidence 283
44.05 No evidence unless disclosed in report 283
44.06 Conference between experts 284
Order 44A—Interpreters 285
44A.02 When interpreters may be engaged 285
44A.03 Who may act as an interpreter 286
44A.04 Functions of interpreters 288
44A.05 Code of conduct 289
44A.06 Translated evidence 290
44A.07 Court may give directions concerning interpreters 291
Order 45—Originating motion 293
45.01 Application and definitions 293
45.02 Evidence by affidavit 293
45.03 Judgment where no appearance 293
45.04 Proceedings after appearance 294
45.05 Special procedure 294
Order 46—Applications 296
46.01 Application of this Order 296
46.02 Application by summons 296
46.03 Notice of application 296
46.04 Form of summons 296
46.05.1 Day for hearing 297
46.07 Absence of party to summons 298
Order 47—Place and mode of trial 299
47.03 Payment of jury fees 299
47.04 Separate trial of question 300
47.05 Judgment after determination of preliminary question 300
Order 48—Fixing a date for trial 302
48.03 Notice of trial 302
48.04 Default by plaintiff 302
48.04.1 Payment of setting down fees 303
48.05 Subsequent interlocutory steps 303
48.06 Vacating date for trial 304
48.07 Pre-trial conferences 304
49.01 Order of evidence and addresses 306
49.02 Absence of party 307
49.03 Adjournment of trial 308
49.04 Death before judgment 308
50.01 Reference to special referee 309
50.02 Directions as to procedure 309
50.03 Report on reference 310
50.06 Remuneration of special referee 311
50.07 Reference to mediator 311
50.07.1 Mediation by Associate Judge 312
50.07.2 Mediation by Costs Registrars 313
50.07.3 Mediation by Prothonotary or Deputy Prothonotary 313
50.07.4 Mediation by judicial registrar 314
50.08 Reference to arbitration 314
Order 51—Assessment of damages or value 316
51.01 Mode of assessment 316
51.02 Notice to other party 316
51.03 Procedure on assessment 316
51.04 Order for damages 316
51.05 Default judgment against some defendants 316
51.06 Continuing cause of action 317
Order 52—Accounts and inquiries 318
52.01 Account or inquiry at any stage 318
52.02 Directions for account 318
52.03 Form and verification of account 319
52.04 Filing and service of account 319
52.05 Notice of charge, error in account 319
52.08 Fund distribution before all entitled ascertained 320
52.09 Restrictive covenant 320
Order 53—Summary proceeding for recovery of land 321
53.01 Application of Order 321
53.02 Originating process 321
53.03 Who to be defendant 321
53.04 Affidavit in support 321
53.06 Occupier made a party 322
53.07 Judgment for possession 323
53.08 Warrant of possession 323
Order 54—Administration of estates and execution of trusts 324
54.02 Relief without general administration 324
54.04 Notice of proceeding and judgment 326
54.05 Relief in proceeding by originating motion 326
54.06 Judgment in administration proceeding 327
54.07 Conduct of sale 328
Order 55—Sale of land by order of Court 329
55.02 Power to order sale 329
55.03 Notice of application 329
55.05 Certifying result of sale 330
55.06 Mortgage, exchange or partition 331
Order 56—Judicial review 332
56.01 Judgment or order instead of writ 332
56.02 Time for commencement of proceeding 334
56.03 Service of originating motion and of summons for directions 334
56.04 Appearance and summons for directions 334
56.05 Directions generally 335
Order 57—Habeas corpus 336
57.02 Application for writ 336
57.03 Order on application 337
57.04 Further application for writ 337
57.07 Return to the writ 338
57.08 Person detained before Court 339
57.09 Other habeas corpus 339
57.10 Departing debtor 339
Order 58—Appeals from lower jurisdictions 340
Part 1—Appeals from the County Court 340
Part 2—Appeals from an associate judge of the County Court 340
58.02 Appeal from associate judge of the County Court by leave 340
58.03 Application for leave 340
58.04 Hearing of appeal 341
Part 3—Appeals on a question of law 342
58.06 Application of Part 342
58.07 Commencement of appeal 343
58.08 Notice of appeal 343
58.09 Appellant to file affidavit 344
58.11 Leave to appeal 345
Part 4—Appeals under section 271 of, or clause 13 or 18 of Schedule 1 to, the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 346
58.17 Application of Part 346
58.18 Institution of appeal 346
58.19 Affidavit in support 347