How to Apply for an Adjournment Disputes Tribunal NZ

When You Can Request an Adjournment

Under Rule 7 of the Disputes Tribunals Rules 1989, a Referee or Registrar can extend or alter a hearing date on application by either party or on their own initiative. Adjournments aren't granted automatically — you need a valid reason and you need to ask properly.

Explain the specific reason and include supporting evidence where available. Examples include sudden illness, required medical treatment, or unavoidable travel; a medical certificate or travel record may help the Registrar or Referee assess the request. The decision-maker determines whether to change the date.

How to Apply

Submit a formal written application to the court registry as early as possible. Include:

• Your CIV reference number
• The current hearing date
• The specific reason you need an adjournment, with supporting evidence (medical certificate, travel booking confirmation, etc.)
• Suggested alternative dates if you have them

Send this by email or deliver it to the District Court registry in person. A phone call to the registry is a starting point — it lets you flag the issue — but it doesn't constitute a formal application and doesn't automatically postpone anything. You need written confirmation from the Registrar or Referee that the adjournment has been granted.

What Happens Next

If the adjournment is approved, the registry notifies both parties of the new hearing date. You'll receive written confirmation. If it's refused, the original hearing date stands and you need to attend.

Don't assume an adjournment request means the hearing is on hold. Until you receive formal written confirmation that it's been rescheduled, the original date is live. Not attending because you assumed your request would be approved is treated the same as not attending at all — the Referee can proceed without you.

If the Hearing Venue Is Impractical

If distance makes in-person attendance difficult, you can ask the registry about remote attendance. A party who lives far from the hearing venue, lives overseas, or has a mobility challenge can request a phone or video hearing. Send the request in writing as soon as possible, include your CIV reference, and explain the reason; the registry decides whether to approve it.

Timing Matters

The earlier you apply, the better your chances. An adjournment request filed weeks before the hearing date, with clear documentation, looks very different from one filed the day before. Late requests are harder to grant because the other party, the Referee, and potentially witnesses have already committed to the date.

If the hearing is imminent and something genuinely prevents attendance, contact the registry immediately by phone to flag the situation, then follow up with a written application the same day.

For a structured approach to navigating adjournments, remote attendance, and hearing preparation timelines, the NZ Disputes Tribunal Response Guide covers the full respondent procedure.

See more New Zealand guides →