Under existing law, the circuit court has exclusive jurisdiction over matters where the amount in controversy exceeds $10,000, the district court has jurisdiction over cases where the amount in controversy is $10,000 or less, and the small claims division of the district court has jurisdiction over cases where the amount in controversy does not exceed $6,000.
Also under existing law, a plaintiff filing a case in the district court is charged a filing fee and the fees are distributed according to the court in which the case is heard and the amount in controversy.
This bill would increase the jurisdiction of the district courts to cover all cases where the amount in controversy is $15,000 or less and would provide the circuit court with exclusive jurisdiction over matters where the amount in controversy exceeds $15,000.
This bill would also revise the filing fee and filing fee distribution statutes to reflect the new jurisdiction of the district and circuit courts.
Pending third reading on day 25 Favorable from Judiciary
Read for the second time and placed on the calendar
Read for the first time and referred to the Senate committee on Judiciary
Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass adopted Roll Call 408
Third Reading Passed
Read for the second time and placed on the calendar
Read for the first time and referred to the House of Representatives committee on Judiciary
Source: Alabama Legislature