At a CTTT hearing you will need to give evidence in order to prove your case and answer any questions or challenges from the other party.

Bring all your relevant documents and materials to the hearing to support your case. If it is your first hearing you do not need to bring witnesses.

Make sure all your evidence is ready for the hearing day.  For example, place your evidence in a folder and label them for easy access during the hearing.  Bring copies of your evidence to give to the other party and to the Tribunal Member.

Be truthful and accurate as you will be asked questions about your evidence.  You may also be asked to take an oath or affirmation.

What evidence should I bring to the hearing?

Your evidence should be relevant to your dispute.  Bring documents and items such as:

• Residential tenancy agreement and condition report
• Written proof of sale or service invoice, original purchase agreement or sales advice
• Invoices or demands for payment, receipts, quotes, reports and payment records
• Warranties in relation to the goods or service
• Correspondence between you and the other party
• Photographs showing the condition and state of repair of the goods or the rented premises
• Witness statements, statutory declarations or affidavits
• Any enforcement action undertaken
• Copy of the contract, expert reports and certificates of insurance.

Witnesses

If somebody else was very involved in the events of your dispute, you may consider having them as a witness to give evidence at your hearing. 

If your witness appears in person at the hearing they will need to give their evidence under oath or affirmation.  Alternatively you can ask your witness to give you a written statement in the form of an affidavit or statutory declaration.

Expert witnesses 

If you need evidence of a technical nature, you may want to engage an expert to provide you with a report and give evidence at your hearing. 

For more information read the Engaging an expert fact sheet (PDF size: 200kb).

Summons

If you believe a person or company representative should attend your hearing to provide evidence, or that they have documents that could be used as evidence, you can request the CTTT to issue a summons. 

Learn more about requesting a summons.