SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   SSB 5027

                      AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 11, 1991

Brief Description:  Raising the jurisdictional limit for small claims departments.

SPONSORS:Senate Committee on Law & Justice (originally sponsored by Senators Nelson, Rasmussen and Thorsness).

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5027 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

     Signed by Senators Nelson, Chairman; Thorsness, Vice Chairman; Erwin, Hayner, Kreidler, L., Madsen, Newhouse, Rasmussen, and Smith, A. 

Staff:  Jon Carlson (786‑7459)

Hearing Dates:  January 21, 1991; January 29, 1991

BACKGROUND:

Small claims courts are a distinct department of the district court system.  The primary purpose of small claims courts is to simplify the court process for civil disputes of claims that do not exceed $2,000.  Small claims proceedings are generally conducted in an informal manner without formal pleadings.  Attorneys are only permitted to be involved in  small claims court proceedings with the consent of the district court judge.

It is suggested that the jurisdiction of small claims court be increased, and that attorneys and paralegals be prohibited from representing corporation plaintiffs in small claims cases.    

SUMMARY:

The jurisdiction of small claims courts is increased to $2,500.

A corporation plaintiff may not be represented by an attorney  or paralegal in small claims court.  

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested January 15, 1991

TESTIMONY FOR:

Raising the jurisdiction limit would allow more claimants to avoid the expense and time of formal litigation proceedings.  Prohibiting corporation plaintiffs from using an attorney would help moderate the wide advantage that institutional plaintiffs have in the informal setting of small claims court.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Judge Robert McBeth, District and Municipal Court Judges Association; Keith McDonald, Washington Collectors' Association; Walt Corneille, Washington State Process Servers