The tribunal has concurrent jurisdiction in respect of certain consumer claims with the normal civil courts of New South Wales.
[1] This issue is currently under discussion in the NSW Parliament and is likely to be subject to amending legislation shortly.
The current tribunal is the latest attempt to improve consumer dispute resolution in New South Wales.
The Tribunal has eight Divisions, i.e. General, Motor Vehicles, Tenancy, Home Building, Commercial, Strata and Community Schemes, Residential Parks, and Retirement Villages.
Registries of the tribunal are located in Sydney, Parramatta, Hurstville, Penrith, Liverpool, Newcastle, Wollongong and Tamworth.
These disputes relate to strata by-laws, maintenance levies, reallocation of unit entitlements, and alterations to common property.
A party who disagrees with the determination of the Tribunal can apply for a rehearing if specific criteria are met.
The Peer Review Panel consists of the two Deputy Chairpersons and one other person appointed by the Minister for Fair Trading.
The panel reviews matters referred to it by the Chairperson, Director-General of the Department of Fair Trading or the Minister, and in due course, provides advice in response.