Section 116.510.

116.510. The hearing and disposition of the small claims action shall be informal, the object being to dispense justice promptly, fairly, and inexpensively. (Amended by Stats. 1991, Ch. 915, Sec. 13.)

Section 116.520.

116.520. (a) The parties have the right to offer evidence by witnesses at the hearing or, with the permission of the court, at another time. (b) If the defendant fails to appear, the court shall still require the plaintiff to present evidence to prove his or her claim. (c) The court may consult witnesses informally and otherwise investigate […]

Section 116.530.

116.530. (a) Except as permitted by this section, no attorney may take part in the conduct or defense of a small claims action. (b) Subdivision (a) does not apply if the attorney is appearing to maintain or defend an action in any of the following capacities: (1) By or against himself or herself. (2) By or against a partnership […]

Section 116.531.

116.531. Nothing in this article shall prevent a representative of an insurer or other expert in the matter before the small claims court from rendering assistance to a party in the litigation except during the conduct of the hearing, either before or after the commencement of the action, unless otherwise prohibited by law; nor shall […]

Section 116.540.

116.540. (a) Except as permitted by this section, no individual other than the plaintiff and the defendant may take part in the conduct or defense of a small claims action. (b) Except as additionally provided in subdivision (i), a corporation may appear and participate in a small claims action only through a regular employee, or a duly […]

Section 116.541.

116.541. (a) Notwithstanding Section 116.540 or any other provision of law, the Department of Corrections or the Department of the Youth Authority may appear and participate in a small claims action through a regular employee, who is employed or appointed for purposes other than solely representing that department in small claims court. (b) Where the Department of […]

Section 116.560.

116.560. (a) Whenever a claim that is filed against a person operating or doing business under a fictitious business name relates to the defendant’s business, the court shall inquire at the time of the hearing into the defendant’s correct legal name and the name or names under which the defendant does business. If the correct legal […]

Section 116.570.

116.570. (a) Any party may submit a written request to postpone a hearing date for good cause. (1) The written request may be made either by letter or on a form adopted or approved by the Judicial Council. (2) The request shall be filed at least 10 days before the hearing date, unless the court determines that the […]