On December 14, 2016 the City Council increased the jurisdictional limit for the Small Claims branch from $5,000 to $10,000.  Plaintiffs may now bring certain civil claims for an ad damnum demand up to $10,000 in this venue, which does not provide for discovery and is not governed by the rules of evidence.

However, unlike other jurisdictions, a defendant has the right to demand a jury trial, which would result in transfer to the Civil Division and the ability to conduct discovery.  Anyone defending a small claims case should assess whether a jury demand (and discovery) would benefit the defense of the claim.