HB201 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris EnglandRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Courts, district and small claims division, jurisdictional limits increased, Secs.12-11-30, 12-12-30, 12-12-31, 12-19-71, 12-19-72 am'd

Summary

HB201 would raise the monetary limits for district and small claims courts and place more civil cases under district court jurisdiction, with circuit handling larger cases.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the district court would hear civil actions up to $25,000 (exclusive of interest and costs), while the circuit court would handle civil actions over $25,000. The district court’s small claims division would handle cases up to $5,000 with simplified procedures. The bill also updates filing fees and how those fees are distributed to state and local funds, and it becomes effective a few months after passage.

Who It Affects

• Civil plaintiffs and defendants with claims of $25,000 or less, who would file in district court instead of circuit court.
• Small claims litigants with disputes up to $5,000 who would use the district court's small claims division with simplified procedures.

Key Provisions

• §12-11-30 and §12-12-30: Civil jurisdiction thresholds changed to district court up to $25,000 and circuit court for matters over $25,000;
• §12-12-31: Small claims docket expanded to $5,000, with rules for appearance, representation, and attorney-fee limitations in small claims cases;
• §12-19-71 and §12-19-72: Filing fees for civil cases reorganized and allocated to various state and local funds, reflecting the new jurisdiction structure;
• Section 2: The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after it passes and is approved.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Civil Procedure