The definitions in rule 1.6 apply to these rules unless the context or subject matter requires otherwise. In addition, the following definitions apply to these rules:
(1) "Small claims court" means the trial court from which the appeal is taken.
(2) "Appeal" means a new trial before a different judge on all claims, whether or not appealed.
(3) "Appellant" means the party appealing; "respondent" means the adverse party. "Plaintiff" and "defendant" refer to the parties as they were designated in the small claims court.
When you appeal a small claims court decision, some basic terms have specific meanings. The court you originally went to is called the "small claims court." The person who files the appeal is the "appellant," and the other side is the "respondent." The words "plaintiff" and "defendant" still refer to whoever held those roles in the original small claims case.
An appeal in small claims court works differently than in most other courts. Instead of a higher court reviewing what the original judge decided, you get a completely new trial in front of a different judge. This new trial covers everything in the case, even parts that were not specifically challenged in the appeal.
Summary generated March 14, 2026
No committee notes available for this rule.
Rule 8.952 renumbered effective January 1, 2009; adopted as rule 158 effective July 1, 1964; previously amended and renumbered as rule 156 effective July 1, 1991, and as rule 8.902 effective January 1, 2007; previously amended effective January 1, 2005.
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