Opinion ID: 2524431
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The Small Claims Procedure Act

Text: ¶ 8 The Small Claims Procedure Act, 12 O.S. (1991), § 1751 et seq. (the Act), provides a special procedure for certain actions where the amount of money sought to be recovered does not exceed four thousand five hundred dollars ($4,500.00). [3] It provides an informal procedure to facilitate the access of parties to simple, inexpensive and speedy justice. Johnson v. Scott, 1985 OK 50, 702 P.2d 56, 59. The unmistakable public policy goal of the Act is to provide small claims forums as people's courts, uncomplicated by the formal demands of superior courts. Thayer v. Phillips Petroleum Co., 1980 OK 95, 613 P.2d 1041, 1044. [4] ¶ 9 In the interest of promoting the prompt and efficient disposition of small claims actions, the Act allows no formal pleadings other than a small claims affidavit and in some circumstances an answer. 12 O.S. (1991), § 1758. [5] The Act requires that the trial be set not more than sixty days nor less than ten days from the commencement of the action. 12 O.S. (2000), § 1756. [6] If the defendant desires to assert a counterclaim or setoff by verified answer, the Act requires the defendant to file the answer with the court clerk not later than seventy-two hours prior to the trial so as not to delay the trial. 12 O.S. (1991), § 1758. ¶ 10 The Act prohibits all depositions, interrogatories and all other discovery procedures except after judgment in aid of execution. 12 O.S. (1991), § 1760. ¶ 11 The Act mentions one pretrial motion only. 12 O.S. (1991), § 1757. It allows the defendant to file a motion to transfer the small claims action to the regular civil docket. Lee Wayne Co., Inc. v. Pruitt, 1976 OK CIV APP 23, 550 P.2d 1374. The Act requires that the motion to transfer be filed and defendant be given notice of the motion at least forty-eight hours prior to the trial. 12 O.S. (1991), § 1757. The granting of the motion is discretionary with the trial court. Id. ¶ 12 The Act does not allow new parties to be joined and it prohibits other parties from intervening in the action. 12 O.S. (1991), § 1760. ¶ 13 The Act requires that if either party desires a jury the party must notify the court clerk in writing at least two working days before the trial so as not to delay the trial. 12 O.S. (1991), § 1761. Regardless of the whether the trial is jury or non-jury, the rules of evidence are relaxed. Prudential Mgmt. Co., Inc. v. Allen, 1976 OK 122, 554 P.2d 1365, 1366; Black v. Littleton, 1975 OK CIV APP 1, 532 P.2d 486, 487. The hearing and disposition of a small claims action is informal with the sole object of dispensing speedy justice between the parties. 12 O.S. (1991), § 1761. B