Section 116.210.

116.210. In each superior court there shall be a small claims division. The small claims division may be known as the small claims court. (Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 784, Sec. 30. Effective January 1, 2003.)

Section 116.220.

116.220. (a) The small claims court has jurisdiction in the following actions: (1) Except as provided in subdivisions (c), (e), and (f), for recovery of money, if the amount of the demand does not exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000). (2) Except as provided in subdivisions (c), (e), and (f), to enforce payment of delinquent unsecured personal property taxes […]

Section 116.221.

116.221. In addition to the jurisdiction conferred by Section 116.220, the small claims court has jurisdiction in an action brought by a natural person, if the amount of the demand does not exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000), except as otherwise prohibited by subdivision (c) of Section 116.220 or subdivision (a) of Section 116.231. (Amended by […]

Section 116.222.

116.222. If the action is to enforce the payment of a debt, the statement of calculation of liability shall separately state the original debt, each payment credited to the debt, each fee and charge added to the debt, each payment credited against those fees and charges, all other debits or charges to the account, and […]

Section 116.223.

116.223. (a) The Legislature hereby finds and declares as follows: (1) There is anticipated to be an unprecedented number of claims arising out of nonpayment of residential rent that occurred between March 1, 2020, and September 30, 2021, related to the COVID-19 pandemic. (2) These disputes are of special importance to the parties and of significant social and […]

Section 116.225.

116.225. An agreement entered into or renewed on or after January 1, 2003, establishing a forum outside of California for an action arising from an offer or provision of goods, services, property, or extensions of credit primarily for personal, family, or household purposes that is otherwise within the jurisdiction of a small claims court of […]

Section 116.230.

116.230. (a) In a small claims case, the clerk of the court shall charge and collect only those fees authorized under this chapter. (b) If the party filing a claim has filed 12 or fewer small claims in the state within the previous 12 months, the filing fee is the following: (1) Thirty dollars ($30) if the amount […]

Section 116.231.

116.231. (a) Except as provided in subdivision (d), no person may file more than two small claims actions in which the amount demanded exceeds two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500), anywhere in the state in any calendar year. (b) Except as provided in subdivision (d), if the amount demanded in any small claims action exceeds two thousand […]

Section 116.232.

116.232. A fee of fifteen dollars ($15) shall be charged and collected from the plaintiff for each defendant to whom the court clerk mails a copy of the claim under Section 116.340. This fee shall be distributed to the court in which it was collected. (Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 31, Sec. 1. (SB 75) […]

Section 116.240.

116.240. (a) With the consent of the parties who appear at the hearing, the court may order a case to be heard by a temporary judge who is a member of the State Bar, and who has been sworn and empowered to act until final determination of the case. (b) Prior to serving as a temporary judge […]

Section 116.250.

116.250. (a) Sessions of the small claims court may be scheduled at any time and on any day, including Saturdays, but excluding other judicial holidays. (b) Each small claims division of a superior court with seven or more judicial officers shall conduct at least one night session or Saturday session each month for the purpose of hearing […]

Section 116.260.

116.260. In each county, individual assistance shall be made available to advise small claims litigants and potential litigants without charge as provided in Section 116.940 and by rules adopted by the Judicial Council. (Added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 1305, Sec. 3. Note: Prior to 1991, this subject matter was in Chapter 5A, comprising Sections 116 […]

Section 116.270.

116.270. Any small claims division may use law clerks to assist the judge with legal research of small claims cases. (Added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 1305, Sec. 3. Note: Prior to 1991, this subject matter was in Chapter 5A, comprising Sections 116 to 117.24.)