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Preparation PackCivil ProcedureMedium
Small Claims Court Readiness Pack
Prepare for a small-claims route discussion by organising the claim amount, parties, demand records, evidence, settlement attempts, jurisdiction questions, court forms, and questions about whether the matter belongs in small claims court.
Time to prepare1-3 hours
Before you contact a lawyer
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Before the consultation
0/4 completedDuring the consultation
0/3 completedAfterwards
0/3 completedWhen It Applies
You are considering a small-claims court route or comparing it with getting a lawyer for a civil dispute.
You need a practical pack before checking the current claim limit, court rules, party restrictions, and evidence requirements.
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.
Official sources
- Small Claims CourtSmall-claims court route and public process context.
- Small Claims Court formsSmall-claims form and document-preparation context.
- Department of Justice Magistrates' Courts formsOrdinary civil court alternative-route context.
This checklist is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice.
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