Civil Procedure Act 2005

The court may, by order, give such directions as it thinks fit (whether or not inconsistent with rules of court) for the speedy determination of the real issues between the parties to the proceedings.

In particular, the court may, by order, do any one or more of the following—

it may direct any party to proceedings to take specified steps in relation to the proceedings,

it may direct the parties to proceedings as to the time within which specified steps in the proceedings must be completed,

it may give such other directions with respect to the conduct of proceedings as it considers appropriate.

If a party to whom such a direction has been given fails to comply with the direction, the court may, by order, do any one or more of the following—

it may dismiss the proceedings, whether generally, in relation to a particular cause of action or in relation to the whole or part of a particular claim,

it may strike out or limit any claim made by a plaintiff,

it may strike out any defence filed by a defendant, and give judgment accordingly,

it may strike out or amend any document filed by the party, either in whole or in part,

it may strike out, disallow or reject any evidence that the party has adduced or seeks to adduce,

it may direct the party to pay the whole or part of the costs of another party,

it may make such other order or give such other direction as it considers appropriate.

Subsection (3) does not limit any other power the court may have to take action of the kind referred to in that subsection or to take any other action that the court is empowered to take in relation to a failure to comply with a direction given by the court.