The purpose of a trial of a small claim is to obtain an adjudication of an issue between the parties that is based upon information presented by the parties and the application of substantive law. The court should give the parties sufficient opportunity to present their cases and should recognize that the case is important to the parties despite the relatively small monetary amount involved.
Commentary
Even though a small claims trial dispenses with much of the customary legal procedures, forms, and terminology, the parties should understand that the concept of an adversary hearing, basic to our jurisprudence, remains intact. Indeed, for some small claims litigants the opportunity merely to present arguments in this forum is almost as important as the actual decision in the case. The trial may be the culmination of months of frustration and tension. Their opportunity to present their respective positions to an impartial arbiter who has the authority to resolve their disputes according to substantive law is their "day in court."