South Australian Consolidated Acts

RESIDENTIAL TENANCIES ACT 1995 - SECT 32

32—Procedural powers of the Tribunal

        (1)         In proceedings the Tribunal may—

            (a)         hear an application in the way the Tribunal considers most appropriate;

            (b)         decline to entertain an application, or adjourn a hearing, until the fulfilment of conditions fixed by the Tribunal with a view to promoting the settlement of matters in dispute between the parties;

            (c)         decline to entertain an application if it considers the application frivolous;

            (d)         proceed to hear and determine an application in the absence of a party;

            (e)         extend a period prescribed by or under this Act within which an application or other step in respect of proceedings must be made or taken (even if the period had expired);

            (f)         vary or set aside an order if the Tribunal considers there are proper grounds for doing so;

            (g)         adjourn a hearing to a time or place or to a time and place to be fixed;

            (h)         allow the amendment of an application;

                  (i)         hear an application jointly with another application;

            (j)         receive in evidence a transcript of evidence in proceedings before a court and draw conclusions of fact from that evidence;

            (k)         adopt, as in its discretion it considers proper, the findings, decision or judgment of a court that may be relevant to the proceedings;

            (l)         generally give directions and do all things that it thinks necessary or expedient in the proceedings.

        (2)         The Tribunal's proceedings must be conducted with the minimum of formality and in the exercise of its jurisdiction the Tribunal is not bound by evidentiary rules but may inform itself as it thinks appropriate.

        (3)         The Tribunal may, on the application of the South Australian Co-operative Housing Authority, allow the Authority to intervene in proceedings before the Tribunal.

        (4)         The Authority may only be allowed to intervene if the Tribunal is satisfied that it is fair and reasonable that the Authority participate in the proceedings.

        (5)         If the Authority is allowed to intervene in proceedings, it may intervene in the manner and to the extent directed by the Tribunal, and on other conditions determined by the Tribunal.