What is the difference between small claims court and civil court?
Small Claims Court and Civil Court are two different types of courts in Wisconsin. Small Claims Court is a type of court in which individuals, businesses, and other entities can bring disputes involving small amounts of money up to $10,000. This court exists to provide an economical and speedy way to resolve disputes outside of the legal system. On the other hand, Civil Court is a type of court in which individuals, businesses, and other entities can bring disputes involving larger amounts of money or involving other kinds of relief such as enforcement of a contract or a declaratory judgment. In Small Claims Court, an individual can serve as their own attorney and represent themselves, while in a Civil Court, an individual is likely to need an attorney; in many cases, it is mandatory. Also, the amount of money involved in Small Claims Court is limited to $10,000, while in a Civil Court there is no limit on the amount of money that can be disputed. Further, Small Claims Court proceedings are generally informal and less structured than Civil Court proceedings. Further, the amount of time in Small Claims Court is generally less than in Civil Court, and judgment can be obtained much quicker. In summary, Small Claims Court is a quicker and less expensive way of resolving disputes involving small amounts of money, while Civil Court is usually more expensive and takes longer to resolve disputes involving larger amounts of money or involving other kinds of relief.
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