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S.M. 1988-89, c. 10

Bill 8, 1st Session, 34th Legislature

The Court of Queen's Bench Small Claims Practices Amendment Act

(Assented to December 20, 1988)

HER MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, enacts as follows:

C.C.S.M. c. C285 amended

1

The Court of Queen's Bench Small Claims Practices Act is amended in the manner set out in this Act.

Definition of "document" amended

2

The definition of "document" in subsection 1(1) is amended by striking out the words "a notice of objection and statement of defence filed under section 7 or subsection 9(4)" .

Definition of "court officer" am.

3

The definition of "court officer" in subsection 1(1) is amended in the English version by striking out "(«officier du tribunal»)" and substituting "(«auxiliaire de la justice»)", and in the French version by striking out the definition of "«officier du tribunal»" and substituting the following before the definition of "«défendeur»" :

«auxiliaire de la justice» Le registraire, un registraire adjoint ou un assistant du registraire adjoint du tribunal. ("court officer")

Sections 3 to 5 amended

4

Sections 3, 4 and 5 are amended by striking out "$3,000." wherever it occurs and substituting "$5,000.".

French version amended

5

The French version is amended by striking out the words "officier du tribunal" and substituting "auxiliaire de la justice" in the following provisions: subsections 5(1), 5(2), 6(2), 6(3), 8(1), 8(2), 9(2), 10(1), 10(3), 11(2), 12(4), 14(1), 20(1), 21(2) and clause 9(3)(a).

Subsection 6(4) added

5.1

Section 6 is amended by adding the following after subsection (3):

No interlocutory proceedings

6(4)

No interlocutory proceedings shall be taken.

Section 7 repealed

6

Section 7 is repealed.

Subsection 9(1) rep. and sub.

7

Subsection 9(1) is repealed and the following is substituted:

Hearing

9(1)

On the date set for hearing under subsection 8(1) or subsection 9(3), a judge or court officer shall

(a) hear and determine the matter, including any counterclaim or set-off, or

(b) adjourn the matter for not more than 60 days.

Subsection 9(3) amended

8

Subsection 9(3) is amended by striking out clause (e).

Subsections 9(4) to 9(6) repealed

9

Subsections 9(4), 9(5) and 9(6) are repealed.

Subsection 11(1) rep. and sub.

10

Subsection 11(1) is repealed and the following is substituted:

Failure of defendant to appear

11(1)

Where a defendant, or someone on behalf of a defendant, does not appear at the time and place fixed for the hearing of an action, a judge or court officer may allow the claimant to prove service of the statement, give default judgment against the defendant and dismiss any counterclaim made by the defendant.

Subsections 12(1), (2) and (3) rep. and sub.

11

Subsections 12(1), (2) and (3) are repealed and the following is substituted:

Decision is a judgment of the court

12(1)

Subject to subsection (2), the decision of a court officer under subsections 9(1), 11(1) or 20(2), when filed in the court office, is a judgment of the court.

Appeal to a judge

12(2)

Where a decision under subsections 9(1), 11(1) or 20(2) is made by a court officer, a party aggrieved by the decision may, within 30 days after the signing of the decision, or within such further time as a judge may by order allow, appeal from the decision to a judge of the court.

Appeal conducted as a new trial

12(3)

An appeal under subsection (2) shall be a new trial, and shall be launched by filing a simple notice of appeal.

Summary procedure

12(3.1)

An appeal shall be dealt with in a summary manner and the general rules of the court do not apply unless, on the application of a party to the appeal, a judge otherwise orders.

Section 13 amended

12

Section 13 is amended by striking out clause (a) and substituting the following:

(a) a decision of a judge under subsections 9(1), 11(1) or 20(2);

Section 17 repealed

13

Section 17 is repealed.

Subsections 18(1) and (3) repealed

14

Subsections 18(1) and (3) are repealed, and subsection 18(2) is renumbered as section 18.

Subsection 20(2) rep. and sub.

15

Subsection 20(2) is repealed and the following is substituted:

Consideration of counterclaim

20(2)

Where a claimant's claim is dismissed under subsection (1), and the defendant has made a counterclaim, the judge or court officer may allow the defendant to prove service of the counterclaim and give default judgment against the claimant.

Section 23 added

16

The Act is amended by adding the following after section 22:

Certificate of decision in default cases

23(1)

Where a default judgment is given under subsections 11(1) or 20(2), the court shall, within seven days of the decision, send a certificate of decision by ordinary mail to the person against whom the default judgment was given.

Form of certificate

23(2)

The certificate of decision referred to in subsection (1) shall be in the form prescribed by the rules.

Commencement of Act

17

This Act comes into force on a day fixed by proclamation.