what happens during small claims court?

Question

ive never been to court before and i want to know what is going to happen? By the way im being sued for rent but i never signed a lease and the girl broke her own lease by letting me live there. thats why i got evicted because they wouldnt take my money because i was living there illeagally.

Answer 1

The best thing to do in small claims or in any court for that matter, is to dress nicely and be respectable. You calmly state your case and sit quietly while others are talking. You do not interrupt the other person or the Judge and you respond only to the Judge when he/she asks you a direct question. It is important to have copies of any documentation necessary that applies to your case and be prepared to hand them over if/when asked. State facts and only facts, clearly and accurately then stop speaking period. Tell the truth, be short and sweet. Do not wander off on some tangent that has nothing to do with anything because that only wastes every body's time and tests their patience. The law will determine the outcome of your suit whatever it may be. You are simply there to present your version of what happened. Sometimes the Judge will rule on the spot but in many cases, you will get the results at a later date. Good Luck!

Answer 2

You go into a small room with the claimant....her......the defendant.....you......and a Registrar. You both get the chance to put your cases and the Registrar decides who has the better case.

When you lose, as I'm afraid you will my friend, you can ask for time to pay what you owe. You can offer a reasonable weekly sum. If you pay the debt in full within a certain number of days.....28 I think.....you don't get a CCJ recorded against you. CCJs make it difficult to get credit and usually a mortgage afterwards because you have a bad credit rating.

Think carefully about what you will do. This could be hanging round your neck for years.

Go see a Citizens Advice Bureau. I used to work at one but have been left for a few years so I'm not up to date with new legislation.

PS. This is UK. You sound UK so I thought I'd answer. Good luck.

Answer 3

In NY, there is a small claims court. In that court, you can choose to go in front of a Judge or an Arbitrator.
If you go to the judge, you will have a sort of small-scale trial where each side tells his/her story and presents any evidence or witnesses available. Then, the judge makes a determination. You can appeal that ruling.
If you go to the arbitrator, you do the same thing, but you cannot make an appeal if you disagree with the ruling.
You can also agree to settle out of court.

Answer 4

You really need to watch daytime tv. There are tons and tons of small claims court tv shows on in the daytime. There is Judge Judy. There is Judge Joe Brown. Christina's Court. Judge Maria Lopez. Judge Milian(The People's Court). Watch some tv and enjoy.

Good Luck in court.

Answer 5

In MA, you will desire to ask for double or treble damages, yet 30 days in the previous you report, you will desire to deliver the owner an approved return receipt letter asserting what you think of she did incorrect and inquiring for the money she owes you. She would desire to report a counterclaim, inspite of the shown fact that she probably would not win, on the grounds that she did return a number of your secure practices deposit. She is entitled to funds for any maintenance different than basic positioned on and tear, yet not for cleansing, except you left extra advantageous than the prevalent mess.

Answer 6

if you've ever watched Judge Judy, its kind of like that

the judge will listen to both of your stories, and make a decision from that.