A. The small claims division has concurrent original jurisdiction with the justice court in all civil actions in which the debt, damage, tort, injury or value of the personal property claims either by the plaintiff or defendant does not exceed three thousand five hundred dollars, exclusive of interest and costs, and in actions in which a party seeks to disaffirm, avoid or rescind a contract, or seeks equitable relief, and the amount at issue does not exceed three thousand five hundred dollars.

Terms Used In Arizona Laws 22-503

  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. Source: U.S. Courts
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
  • small claims division: means a forum in justice courts in which procedures shall allow the inexpensive, speedy and informal resolution of small claims. See Arizona Laws 22-501
  • Tort: A civil wrong or breach of a duty to another person, as outlined by law. A very common tort is negligent operation of a motor vehicle that results in property damage and personal injury in an automobile accident.

B. The small claims division does not have jurisdiction over the following:

1. Those matters excluded from justice court jurisdiction as provided in section 22-201.

2. Actions involving claims of defamation by libel or slander.

3. Actions in forcible entry, forcible detainer or unlawful detainer.

4. Actions for specific performance.

5. Actions brought or defended on behalf of a class.

6. Actions requesting or involving prejudgment remedies.

7. Actions involving injunctive relief.

8. Traffic violations and other criminal matters.

9. Actions against this state, its political subdivisions or an officer or employee of the state or its political subdivisions in his official capacity.

 

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