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

Small Claims Court and Civil Court are two different types of courts that serve different purposes. In South Carolina, Small Claims Court is designed to help people resolve disputes in which the amount of money in dispute is relatively small. These disputes can include things like unpaid bills, broken contracts, or damaged property. This type of court is often less formal than civil court, and rules of evidence and procedure are relaxed. In Small Claims Court, all cases are heard by a magistrate, who acts as both judge and jury. In contrast, Civil Court deals with more serious disputes. These disputes may include contract disputes between businesses, family law matters, and more. Civil Court cases can also involve larger amounts of money. In Civil Court, disputes are heard by a judge, and rules of evidence are more strictly enforced. In some cases, a jury may be used to decide the outcome of the case. Additionally, the parties involved in a Civil Court case can be represented by lawyers, while in Small Claims Court, lawyers are not allowed. Overall, Small Claims Court is a faster, less formal, and less expensive way to resolve small disputes, while Civil Court is used to handle more serious, complicated cases with higher amounts of money at stake.

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

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