Hawaii State Small Claims Court
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Hawaii State Small Claims court is a division of the Hawai`i State District Court. Its primary purview is civil cases in which the amount in controversy is $3500 or less. If the party being sued counterclaims against the plaintiff bringing the suit, the small claims court will still retain jurisdiction if the counterclaim in $20,000 or less.
The small claims court also has jurisdiction over all returns of residential security deposits from landlords, regardless of amount; returns of leased or rented personal property, where the property is worth $3,500 or less and where the rental amount claimed does not exceed $3,500; and suits to recover damages or repossess items stolen from business property, such as shopping carts, shopping baskets, or other similar devices. [1]
The advantage of the small claims process is that it is informal. However, a disadvantage is that the decision of the judge is final and there is no right to appeal.
- ^ The Judiciary, State of Hawaii, District Court of the First Circuit, Your Guide to the Small Claims Court: Questions and Answers, http://www.courts.state.hi.us/attachment/1CED62BA9B200462EA6B1A236E/dcscinfo0806.pdf
