Small claims court challenges

Many years ago, I had a potential client call and demand my first available appointment. When I inquired about the reason for the emergency, she confided it was custom draperies. (It never ceases to amaze me the issues people can fight over.) This caller was provoked because her seamstress had created new drapes but they were lacking in fullness so the caller was refusing to pay the drapery maker. Since this was a civil dispute, valued at less than $6,000, small claims court provided a quick, inexpensive and fair forum. And no attorney was needed which meant I would not spend months quibbling about curtain negligence.

Within weeks of her call, the potential client had a hearing in small claims court. Neither she nor the curtain creator were happy with the decision which means the judge likely found an equitable resolution. And the matter, which involved much emotion and minimal funds, found closure, without depositions, interrogatories and other invasive, timely and expensive discovery actions.… Continue reading