What types of disputes can I take to small claims court?

Small claims court in Rhode Island is an informal court that allows individuals to resolve disputes without the expense and complexity of a formal court trial. Small claims court in Rhode Island generally handles cases involving monetary damages or the return of specific items, although there are a few exceptions. Most commonly, small claims court is used to resolve disputes involving unpaid services, broken contracts, property damage, breach of warranty, and collection of unpaid debts. In some cases, small claims court can also resolve disputes about the return of an item of value, such as a car or appliance. In addition, small claims court is often used to settle small landlord-tenant disputes. However, small claims court in Rhode Island is limited in the types of disputes it can hear. Disputes involving criminal matters, personal injury, divorce, custody, or child support are all outside the scope of a small claims court. Likewise, disputes involving libel, slander, or breach of intellectual property rights are not usually heard in small claims court. In summary, the types of disputes that can be taken to small claims court in Rhode Island generally involve money or the return of an item of value, but cannot address criminal matters, personal injury cases, or disputes involving intellectual property.

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What types of disputes can I take to small claims court?

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