National Credit Act, 2005 (Act No. 34 of 2005)
Chapter 7 : Dispute Settlement other than debt enforcement
Part B : Initiating complaints or applications

136. Initiating a complaint to National Credit Regulator

1)        Any person may submit a complaint concerning an alleged contravention of this Act to the National Credit Regulator in the prescribed manner and form.

2)        The National Credit Regulator may initiate a complaint in its own name.

137. Initiating applications to Tribunal

1)        The National Credit Regulator may apply to the Tribunal in the prescribed manner and form-

a)        for an order resolving a dispute over information held by a credit bureau, in terms of Part B of Chapter 4;

b)        for an order compelling the delivery of a statement of account or a review of a statement in terms of Part D of Chapter 5;

c)        to review the conduct of a sale of goods in terms of section 127 or the distribution of proceeds from such a sale;

d)        for leave to bring a complaint directly before the Tribunal; or

e)        for an order condoning late filing.

2)        A registrant, or applicant for registration, may file an application in terms of section 59 at any time within-

a)        20 business days after the National Credit Regulator makes the decision that is the subject of the application; or

b)        such longer time as the Tribunal may allow on good cause shown.

3)        A consumer or credit provider who has unsuccessfully attempted to resolve a dispute directly with the other party and through alternative dispute resolution in terms of section 134(4) may file an application contemplated in this Act at any time within-

a)        20 business days after the failure of the attempted alternative dispute resolution; or

b)        such longer time as the Tribunal may allow on good cause shown.

4)        The National Credit Regulator may intervene before the Tribunal in respect of any application contemplated in this section in which the National Credit Regulator is not already a party.

138. Consent orders

1)        If a matter has been-

a)        resolved through the ombud with jurisdiction, consumer court or alternative dispute resolution agent; or

b)        investigated by the National Credit Regulator, and the National Credit Regulator and the respondent agree to the proposed terms of an appropriate order,

the Tribunal or a court, without hearing any evidence, may confirm that resolution or agreement as a consent order.

2)        With the consent of a complainant, a consent order confirmed in terms of subsection (1)(b) may include an award of damages to the complainant.