Small Claims Court Procedure

jane79

Hello,
Has anyone been to small claims recently - Can you tell me the procedure? The info online isn't very clear. I want to know what happens when the claim you put in against someone is rejected by that someone and you have to go to court. Is this an actual court, with a judge and people from the public and having to face the person in question? Or it is a more one on one basis with a Small Claims Registrar? Is the person in question there as well? I am so nervous and wont be able to face a "court" type setting - but wouldn't mind having to speak privately with a Small Claims Registrar. Also I had threatened to call the police on this person and said I had paperwork to prove my point further - (which I didn't have, stupid I know , but I was so angry I just said anything !!) - but I obviously have other stuff and is very plain to see my complaint - will that go against me - or will the judge just go on the actual facts...and not the "she said, he said" stuff. ?? thanks

BaronVon

Depends which court you're in. If you're in Dublin, the small claims court is a specific court, albeit much less formal than a normal district court.

In a country court, your case will most likely be heard during normal district Court business.

From my limited experience, if it's a company you're making a claim against, they often settle before the court case, probably to avoid bad publicity.

jane79

I will be applying to Bray courts. Ok so it is a normal court thing !! Ohh...

BaronVon

You can always get someone to present your case for you. One of the ideas of a small claims court is to negate the need for solicitors, but you could get a friend or someone to speak for you, and they would call you as a witness.

To be fair, the only thing you have to lose is the small claims court registration fee!