Rule 9 Rules of Evidence

In small claims court, the judge does not have to follow the normal evidence rules that apply in regular court cases. This means the judge has more freedom to look at documents, hear stories, and consider information that might not be allowed in a formal trial. The goal is to make small claims court simpler and easier for people who don't have a lawyer.

There is one big exception. The judge still has to respect "privileged communications." These are private conversations the law protects, like what you tell your lawyer, your doctor, or your spouse in confidence. Even in small claims court, nobody can be forced to reveal these protected conversations.

So while the judge has flexibility with most types of evidence, some private communications stay off limits no matter what.