What is the difference between small claims court and civil court?

Small claims courts and civil courts differ in the types of disputes they handle, the amount of money that can be awarded, and the formalities involved in resolving the dispute. Small claims courts in Delaware are for disputes involving $15,000 or less. They are informal courts which allow individuals to represent themselves. There are relaxed rules of evidence and no jury. The process is usually much shorter and less complicated than in civil court. Civil courts handle disputes involving more than $15,000. These courts are much more formal and require attorneys to represent each side. Evidence must be presented in a manner consistent with court rules and a jury may be used to decide the case. The process tends to be more expensive, take longer, and be more complex than in small claims court. There is also no limit to the amount of money that can be awarded in a civil court case. In conclusion, small claims court and civil court are different in the types of disputes they handle, the amount of money that can be awarded, and the formalities involved in resolving the dispute. Small claims court is much more informal and handles disputes involving smaller sums of money, whereas civil court is more expensive, time consuming, and requires attorneys to represent each side.

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