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

Small Claims Court and Civil Court are both legal processes used to settle disputes between two people or organizations. However, the two differ in many ways. Small Claims Court is a court of limited jurisdiction that is designed to settle disputes involving smaller amounts of damages, typically less than $5,000. In Hawaii, small claims court is also referred to as District Court and is the most common type of court to resolve disputes. Generally, small claims court is less formal than other courts due to its simplified procedure and low monetary thresholds. This means that legal representation is not necessary and parties can represent themselves. On the other hand, Civil Court is a court of general jurisdiction and is designed to settle disputes involving larger amounts of damages or those more complex in nature. These cases are more formal and can require legal representation; additionally, legal remedies such as punitive damages may be available to settle disputes. In Hawaii, Civil Court is referred to as Circuit Court. Overall, the difference between Small Claims Court and Civil Court is based on the type of dispute and the amount of damages at stake. Small Claims Court is designed to settle disputes of lower monetary value and is less formal, whereas Civil Court is designed to settle higher value disputes and is more formal.

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

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