When It Applies

Not For

• Confirming eligibility, calculating the current claim limit, filing court papers, or representing someone else without checking the current rules.

Documents

• Claim summary
• Demand letter
• Proof of delivery
• Contract
• Invoices
• Payment proof
• Photos
• Messages
• Party details
• Witness details
• Question list

Timeline

• Before route choice: identify claim, party, amount, and demand history.
• Before filing: collect proof, party details, and demand records.
• During consultation: confirm current eligibility and evidence needs.
• Afterwards: calendar court, service, hearing, settlement, and payment dates.

Tips

• Check the current small-claims rules before relying on old claim-limit information.
• Bring originals and clean copies.
• Keep the claim calculation simple and document-backed.
• Do not ignore ordinary court deadlines if summons has already been served.

Warning Signs

• The claim may exceed the current limit.
• The defendant is a company, foreign party, state body, or hard to identify.
• A summons, eviction, divorce, labour, or criminal issue is involved.
• You need urgent relief, an interdict, or complex evidence.