HB151 Alabama 2016 Session

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

To amend Sections 12-11-30, 12-19-71, and 12-19-72, Code of Alabama 1975, as last amended by Act 2015-224, 2015 Regular Session, and Section 12-12-30, Code of Alabama 1975, to further provide for the jurisdiction of the district and circuit court; and to revise the filing fees associated with the filing of a case in district and circuit courts.