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

Small Claims Court and Civil Court are two separate types of court systems that address different types of legal issues. Small Claims Court is a simplified court system that deals with disputes involving relatively small amounts of money. This type of court is ordinarily used for relatively minor disputes that involve an individual or small business, disputes that involve damages of up to $5,000 in Rhode Island. Unlike Small Claims Court, Civil Court is the more complex and formal court system used to resolve disputes involving larger financial stakes. In Civil Court, disputes of any size involving an individual or business may be filed, and damages may be up to or exceeding $25,000 in Rhode Island. Civil Court is more formal than Small Claims Court, and the process is usually much more lengthy. Additionally, Civil Court cases often require professional legal representation due to the high stakes involved. By contrast, Small Claims Court does not require that a party be represented by an attorney. Furthermore, the process of Small Claims Court is typically shallower, faster, and less expensive than Civil Court. In summary, Small Claims Court is the simpler and more streamlined court system used to resolve disputes involving relatively small amounts of money, while Civil Court is the more formal and complex court system used to resolve disputes involving larger financial stakes.

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

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