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

Small claims court and civil court are two different types of court cases in West Virginia. Small claims court is where individuals can sue for, or defend against, a claim of up to $5,000. Claims can include money owed, damage to property, and a breach of contract. Civil court is for disputes that exceed $5,000 or involve more complex legal issues. In small claims court, the court process is fairly informal. Parties can be represented by an attorney, but it is not necessary. Generally, small claims court is designed to be a faster and more affordable way to resolve disputes outside of expensive civil proceedings. Since individuals represent themselves, or use an attorney, there are fewer legal costs than traditional civil court proceedings. In civil court cases, there are more complex legal issues than those in small claims court. Civil court cases can involve multiple parties, judges decide the outcome of the case, and the verdicts can be appealed. Additionally, there are more resources available in civil court, since the parties are generally represented by attorneys who know the relevant laws and are familiar with the filing and paperwork involved in these kinds of cases. Overall, small claims court and civil court are different in West Virginia. Small claims court is for disputes of up to $5,000, and is designed to be a faster and more affordable option than civil court. Civil court cases involve more complex issues and are often handled by attorneys who are familiar with the relevant laws.

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

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