116.310. (a) No formal pleading, other than the claim described in Section 116.320 or 116.360, is necessary to initiate a small claims action. (b) The pretrial discovery procedures described in Section 2019.010 are not permitted in small claims actions. (Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 182, Sec. 7. Effective January 1, 2005. Operative July 1, 2005, by Sec. […]
116.320. (a) A plaintiff may commence an action in the small claims court by filing a claim under oath with the clerk of the small claims court in person, by mail, by facsimile transmission if authorized pursuant to Section 1010.5, or by electronic means as authorized by Section 1010.6. (b) The claim form shall be a simple […]
116.330. (a) When a claim is filed, the clerk shall schedule the case for hearing and shall issue an order directing the parties to appear at the time set for the hearing with witnesses and documents to prove their claim or defense. The case shall be scheduled for hearing no earlier than 20 days but not […]
116.340. (a) Service of the claim and order on the defendant may be made by any one of the following methods: (1) The clerk may cause a copy of the claim and order to be mailed to the defendant by any form of mail providing for a return receipt. (2) The plaintiff may cause a copy of the […]
116.360. (a) The defendant may file a claim against the plaintiff in the same action in an amount not to exceed the jurisdictional limits stated in Sections 116.220, 116.221, and 116.231. The claim need not relate to the same subject or event as the plaintiff’s claim. (b) The defendant’s claim shall be filed and served in the […]
116.370. (a) Venue and court location requirements in small claims actions shall be the same as in other civil actions. The court may prescribe by local rule the proper court locations for small claims actions. (b) A defendant may challenge venue or court location by writing to the court and mailing a copy of the challenge to […]
116.390. (a) If a defendant has a claim against a plaintiff that exceeds the jurisdictional limits stated in Sections 116.220, 116.221, and 116.231, and the claim relates to the contract, transaction, matter, or event which is the subject of the plaintiff’s claim, the defendant may commence an action against the plaintiff in a court of competent […]
