How to file and serve documents

The Tribunal will order that certain documents are 'filed and served'. Filing documents gives the Tribunal the document. Serving documents means the other party has a copy of that document too.

Filing

To file a document, the original has to be delivered to the Tribunal Registry with at least 2 (two) copies. The Tribunal Registry will stamp the original and copies and will keep the original and 1 (one) copy. The Tribunal Registry does not copy documents, so make sure you have enough copies.

You have to give a copy of each document you file to every other party to the complaint. Use this to work out how many copies of a document you need to file:

• The Tribunal Registry will keep the original AND one (1) copy

• You need one (1) copy for each other party

• You need one (1) copy for yourself

Documents can be filed by:

• Delivering them to the Tribunal Registry in person

• Sending them by post to the Tribunal Registry

Serving

You can serve a copy of a document on a party by delivering or posting it to their address for service.

The easiest way to serve a document is to post it to the other party’s address for service. It can be sent in the ordinary post or you can send it by express post or registered mail.

Alternatively, you can deliver a document yourself or ask someone to do it for you. If you do this, you should make a note for yourself of the date and time that the document is delivered, and the name of the person who delivered the document. Documents should only be served this way on week days during office hours.

Back to Self Help Kit contents list