Mediation and arbitration are very good alternatives to small claims court. They can be especially attractive if your claim exceeds the small claims court jurisdictional limit, or if you cannot afford expensive legal fees.
Mediation is a process where you and the other party sit down with a neutral third party and work out a mutually agreeable solution to the dispute. Mediation proceedings are strictly confidential, and anything said in mediation cannot be used in a court of law. Mediation is desirable because it can be set up within weeks, whereas it takes up to a year to get to trial in civil court (or even small claims court). Both parties will spare the expense and stress of hiring attorneys and having a court trial. If you are skeptical, remember that mediation boasts an 80% success rate; why not give it a try? Mediation puts you in control of resolving your dispute.
Arbitration is a process where both parties sit down before a neutral third party (usually a practicing attorney or retired judge) and present their cases. While it is somewhat like a court trial, there are important differences. First of all, the proceedings are closed to the public. Second, the "trial date" is usually within 3 months, not 12 months like civil court. Finally, the arbitrator's decision is final unless there was irregularity in the proceedings or the parties agreed to non-binding arbitration before the arbitration award was made. However, both parties must agree to arbitrate the dispute.
No. The small claims court works locally.
Yes. There is no minimum amount you can sue for in small claims court.
There is no court named "Small Court" so I assume you are asking about Small Claims Court. In NJ, there is no separate "Small Claims Court" - all small claims cases are heard in the Special Civil Part of the Civil Division of Superior Court in each county. To find your local information, use the related link below. Select your county and look for that county's Superior Court - Civil Division. That will be the contact information for small claims cases. The link to the court website is the court name in blue; the court website will have details about small claims cases in that county.
Maybe. Each state has different laws regarding whether or not towns can be sued in small claims court. For example, Washington State does not allow the practice, while in California, people can sue towns, cities, and even the state in small claims court. Most small claims courts give free brochures explaining the small claims process, including who can and cannot be sued in small claims. Contact your local small claims court for details.
no
i also want to take my doctor to small claims court. is there anything in law to prevent this
In Colorado state, the maximum amount you can sue for in small claims court is $7,500. To have the court award more than that, you would need to file the case outside small claims court. Small claims court is usually a division of County Court. Civil cases for more than $7,500 can be filed in regular County Court or in District Court. For more information on filing a small claims case in Colorado, view the Colorado Small Claims Court Information related link. To locate the County Court nearest you, visit the Colorado Courts Guide related link, which will provide a directory of Colorado state courts, as well as online court resources.
how dose trying a case in small claims court differ from trying a case in a court of record
Sonoma County's small claims court is at 1450 Guerneville Road, Santa Rosa.
DRIVE-DH!
Yes. You can sue the business in small claims court.Yes. You can sue the business in small claims court.Yes. You can sue the business in small claims court.Yes. You can sue the business in small claims court.
The current limit for small claims in Oregon is $10,000.