The most basic of all civil lawsuits is over money.  Whether between vendor and customer, landlord and tenant, or any number of other relationships, suits seeking money judgments are by far the most prevalent type of civil lawsuit in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  Virginia provides several mechanisms for claimants to seek to enforce their rights.

Small Claims

For litigants who choose to proceed without an attorney, the Small Claims Division of the General District Court is available for claims of up to $5,000.  While the Small Claims Division can be a useful tool for litigants, your recovery may be limited, and you are not able to rely on the counsel of a knowledgeable attorney regarding your rights.

General District Court

The General District Court has jurisdiction over claims of up to $25,000.  As a result, it is probably the most common civil trial court in Virginia.  (In addition to monetary claims, the General District Court also regularly hears unlawful detainer (eviction) suits in residential and commercial lease actions, detinue actions seeking recovery of specific personal property, and other types of cases.)  Attorneys regularly appear in the General District Court on behalf of clients.  The General District Court process can be more streamlined (and therefore more cost-effective for the client) than the Circuit Court, which makes it an attractive option if your claim does not exceed $25,000.

Circuit Court

The Circuit Court is the court of record for each locality in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  In addition to its maintenance of marriage, probate, and land records, the Circuit Court hears all cases exceeding $25,000 in scope and has concurrent jurisdiction with the General District Court over claims between $4,500 and $25,000.  Litigation in the Circuit Court is more procedure-oriented than in the General District Court, with discovery, depositions, and a number of other useful tools available to litigants.

The attorneys at Mata & Hill PLC have many years of experience prosecuting and defending against all types of civil suits and can advise you regarding your rights in a knowledgeable and cost-effective manner.  If you are seeking to file or defend against lawsuits seeking money judgments in Winchester, Front Royal, Strasburg, or any of the surrounding areas, contact the experienced attorneys at Mata & Hill PLC today!