ACAT Adjournment and Extension of Time — How to Request More Time

Sometimes 21 days is not enough. A medical emergency, missing records, or a key witness overseas can make it impossible to file a complete ACAT civil dispute response on time. The tribunal has mechanisms for extending the response period and requesting an adjournment. An extension request does not itself change the response deadline.

Extending the 21-Day Response Period

There are two routes:

Consent extension. If the applicant agrees to give you more time, obtain written agreement for a specified date and lodge a joint written stipulation or consent order request with the registry before the original 21-day deadline expires. An informal agreement alone does not stay the deadline.

Formal application. If the applicant refuses, file an Application for Interim or Other Orders (the 231KB PDF form from the ACAT website) under Rule 62 of the Procedures Rules 2024. Set out the specific reasons you need more time, such as medical incapacity or records you are waiting to obtain, and attach supporting evidence where available.

File before the 21 days expire. If the deadline has passed, act promptly: an unfiled response exposes you to adverse determinations, and an extension application does not guarantee extra time.

Adjourning a Scheduled Hearing

If your Directions Hearing or final hearing is listed on a date you cannot attend, contact the registry as early as possible, explain the reason, and request an adjournment. Do not assume the hearing has been moved until ACAT confirms it.

For a formal order, ask the registry which application to file and provide the reason and any supporting evidence.

What Counts as Good Cause

Examples to explain in an application include medical incapacity and records you are waiting to obtain. Attach supporting evidence where available; no example guarantees an extension.

If you have missed the deadline, do not assume a reason excuses the delay. The applicant may seek adverse orders, so act promptly.

What Happens If You Miss Everything

If you miss both the response deadline and the Directions Hearing without filing anything, the tribunal can proceed in your absence and make default orders. You can apply to set aside an order under Rule 56 or Rule 70, but you need a reasonable explanation for the absence, prompt action after learning of the order, and an arguable defence on the merits.

The ACT ACAT Response Guide includes a deadline calculator and an extension application checklist to help you act before time runs out.

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