Is there a limit on the amount of time I can spend in small claims court?
In California, there is a limit on the amount of time you can spend in small claims court. The California Code of Civil Procedure sets a limit of one hour per trial day, per party. This limit applies to all types of cases, including both civil and small claims cases. If either party needs additional time to present their case, they can request in writing a specific extension from the court. This must be done prior to the start of the trial, and the court must agree to the request. If the case is particularly complex or involves a large amount of evidence that is not easily explained in one hour, the court may also allow the parties to present their cases over multiple trial days. This is done by filing a trial management order or stipulation. It’s important to note that, regardless of the amount of time spent in court, the parties only have one hour to present their case to the court. This helps to ensure that the trial is not dragged out, and that the parties are able to reach a fair resolution in a timely manner.
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