Under existing law, 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. The amount of the filing fee is less for cases filed in the small claims division of the district court.
This bill would increase the jurisdiction of the district courts to cover all cases where the amount in controversy is $20,000 or less.
This bill would revise the filing fee and filing fee distribution statutes to reflect the new jurisdiction of the district court, but would keep the filing fee and distribution of filing fees at the same amounts for the small claims division of the district court.
Source: Alabama Legislature