Rules of Procedure for the Small Claims and Conciliation Branch – 2026

The Superior Court's informal track, for claims that do not exceed $10,000 exclusive of interest, attorney fees, protest fees and costs (D.C. Code § 11-1321). Defendants in most cases need not file a written answer, and a jury is available only on request. Representation is regulated: only active D.C. Bar members — or persons authorized under Court of Appeals Rules 48 and 49 — may appear for another, and a corporation or partnership plaintiff must appear through a D.C. Bar member under Rule 9. Review is not an appeal as of right; a small-claims judgment reaches the Court of Appeals only by application for allowance of appeal under D.C. Code § 11-721.

Last updated September 07, 2026

Browse all 20 rules of the 2026 edition below. Each rule includes the full text, a plain-English summary, committee notes, amendment history, and cross-references to related rules. Use the search box to find rules by keyword or number.

Rule 1 Scope, Title, and Purpose Rule 2 Applicability of Certain Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 3 Commencement of Actions Rule 4 Service of Process Rule 5 Pleadings Rule 6 Jury Demand Rule 7 Trials Rule 8 Certification to the Civil Actions Branch Rule 9 Persons Appearing in a Representative Capacity Rule 10 Discovery Rule 11 Preliminary Proceedings Rule 12 Proceedings by the Court Rule 13 Motions Rule 13-I Motions and Discovery in Cases Certified to the Civil Actions Branch Rule 14 Costs Rule 15 Judgment Rule 16 Installment Payment of Judgment Rule 17 Supplementary Proceedings in Wage Claims Rule 18 Attorney's Fees Rule 19 Collection and Subrogation Cases