What Happens if There is a Dispute over Queensland Food Exports? A Survey Report

Abstract

In Queensland, disputes between traders both domestic and international can be settled by a range of different mechanisms, from simple informal mediation (with a referee) to more formal arbitration (using a referee or a panel of referees, and set rules of procedure) and ultimately to full legal actions in court, the choice of court depending on the amounts involved. Parties to a dispute can use commercial organizations to help them resolve disputes (e.g. the Australian Commercial Dispute Centres in each State), or they can approach the Queenland Law Society or the Queensland Bar Association, which provide lists of experienced practitioners available to resolve disputes out of court. This is a much quicker and cheaper alternative to a court action, but where parties still cannot agree, the dispute must be finally resolved in court. Even then, the parties can still settle before the court makes a binding determination.