A Defence is the defendant’s (also known as the debtor, the person or business who owes the money) formal notice to the court that they do not accept the claim for money. For claims under $15,000, defended matters are typically transferred to the Small Claims Division of the Magistrates Court (Civil Division), while larger claims remain in the Magistrates Court’s regular jurisdiction.
In most cases, claims proceed to judgment without a defence being filed.
Your Account Manager will advise you if a defence has been lodged and the next steps.