Legal moves to stop 'time wasters' in small claims courts has been given a 'thumbs up' by Keys members.

North Douglas member John Houghton's (pictured) amendment to the Justice Bill is aimed at those who say they want a hearing but then fail to go ahead with proceedings.

James Davis explains (audio file attached):

What happens presently is that respondents can tick a box saying 'yes' they want a hearing.

So a hearing is duly arranged , sometimes months later, only for some respondents to fail to turn up.

In the meantime, the palintiff has wasted time preparing a case and then taking time off work to go to the hearing.

If this amendment goes through with the Bill, then a judicial officer can award costs against either party at his discretion or consider claims for costs following an aborted hearing.

Mr Houghton says it will 'help stem the tide of a developing proliferation of time wasters who know how the system works and set out to frustrate everyone.'