A state court that handles civil claims for small amounts of money. In small claims court, people often represent themselves instead of hiring an attorney.
A branch of the Municipal Court. The rules of this court forbid parties to be assisted by attorneys, dispense with most formal rules of evidence, and have all trials heard by judges. The monetary limit of cases before the court is $1,500. Back to the Top
An informal legal proceeding that can be used to settle disputes. Maximum amounts that can be claimed or awarded differ from state to state, but most small claims courts hear cases involving amounts from $25 to $2,000.
A particular court that presides over small disputes (e.g., not exceeding $3,500)
Small Claims Court is an informal and relatively inexpensive method of resolving disputes where the amount claimed is less than $3,000 to $10,000, depending on the province. There is a fee to file a claim, and later there may be other costs for such things as serving orders, payments to witnesses and travelling expenses. Legal problems can be presented here without the expense of a lawyer, although in most provinces the help of a lawyer is allowed. The court staff is experienced in helping people prepare the necessary forms, and the judge is capable of settling disputes without the assistance of lawyers. The emphasis in this court is on each side explaining their story, not legal technicalities. For information on how to proceed, contact the Small Claims Court or Provincial Court nearest you.
A state court that is established to handle disputes involving relatively small amounts of money, usually without the services of lawyers.
As this site explains, there is no small claims court as such. It's actually a short hand term for the "small claims track of the county court", which doesn't have quite the same ring to it.
The division of the trial court that handles civil cases seeking monetary awards of $15,000 or less. Small Claims Court is designed to be simple, quick and less costly than a regular civil lawsuit. In Small Claims Court, either party may appear pro se (without a lawyer), and there is no jury. The plaintiff and defendant may appeal an adverse decision by the judge.
The division of the trial court that handles civil cases seeking monetary awards of $5,000 or less. The plaintiff has the option of filing a small claims case or a regular civil [limited jurisdiction] case in superior court. Small claims court is designed to be simple, quick, and less costly than a regular civil lawsuit. In small claims court there are no attorneys, no rules of evidence, and no juries. However, the plaintiff has no right to appeal an adverse decision by the judge, but the defendant may appeal. An appeal consists of a new trial before a different judge. Attorneys are allowed to participate in the appeal.
A particular court that presides over small disputes (e.g., those involving sums of less than $2,500).
A division of the county courts of Nebraska.
a court set up to deal quickly with claims for
In Wisconsin, a special court which provides quicker, more informal and inexpensive judgments in actions for evictions; replevin of property valued at $1,000 or less and money judgments for $1,000 or less.
Court of limited jurisdiction available for resolution of disputes by the parties without attorneys. Original purpose was to "bring justice home to every man's door". Limited to claims not in excess of $2,500.00. Parties represent themselves at the hearing. Attorneys are restricted from participating.
A state court that handles civil claims for small amounts of money. People often represent themselves rather than hire an attorney.
Courts set up for the express purpose of settling small claims. Decisions in such litigations are made by a judge within a short period of time, thereby avoiding a prolonged trial.
The court of exclusive jurisdiction for claims up to $10,000. The Small Claims Court has its own rules of practice modeled loosely on the 'Rules of Civil Procedure'. The Small Claims Court is designed to be a ‘user friendly’ court in which parties may represent themselves without a lawyer. While a creditor may opt into the Small Claims Court by reducing a greater claim to $10,000, the benefits of doing so are no longer as apparent as they once were. The Simplified Procedure now provides a cost effective way of litigating slightly larger claims in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.
A Court with quick, cheap and simple procedures which can handle civil cases (ie. non-criminal cases) involving up to R7,000.
A court which deals with small civil claims using simplified procedures to reach settlements.
All civil cases claiming monetary awards of $5,000 or less and certain unlawful detainer actions. In such cases, there are no attorneys, no rules of evidence, no juries, and no formal findings.
Special court for the purpose of providing fast, inexpensive and informal settlement of small financial claims between a plaintiff and a defendant with the parties representing themselves.
A state court that resolves disputes involving relatively small amounts of money -- usually between $2,000 and $10,000, depending on the state. Adversaries usually appear without lawyers -- in fact, some states forbid lawyers in small claims court -- and recount their side of the dispute in plain English. Evidence, including the testimony of eye witnesses and expert witnesses, is relatively easy to present because small claims courts do not follow the formal rules of evidence that govern regular trial cases. A small claims judgment has the same force as does the judgment of any other state court, meaning that if the loser -- now called the "judgment debtor" -- fails to pay the judgment voluntarily, it can be collected using normal collection techniques, such as property liens and wage garnishments.
'For the Australian television movies see Small Claims.