Title 16 — Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title]

All provisions of law relating to the Superior Court of the District of Columbia and the rules of the court apply to the Small Claims and Conciliation Branch of the court as far as they may be applicable and are not in conflict with this chapter or Chapter 13 of Title 11. In case…

(a) Actions shall be commenced in the Small Claims and Conciliation Branch by the filing of a statement of claim, in concise form and free of technicalities. The plaintiff or his agent shall verify the statement of claim by oath or affirmation in the form herein provided, or its …

Fees for processing actions in the Small Claims Branch shall be set as the court prescribes. The judge sitting in the Branch may waive the prepayment of costs or the payment of costs accruing during the action upon the sworn statement of the plaintiff or upon other satisfactory e…

If the defendant in an action pursuant to this chapter, asserts a set-off or counterclaim, the judge may require a formal plea of set-off to be filed, or may waive the requirement. If the plaintiff requires time to prepare his defense against the counterclaim or set-off, the judg…

In a case filed or pending in the Small Claims and Conciliation Branch in which a party entitled to a trial by jury files a demand therefor, the case shall be assigned to and tried in the regular branch of the civil division of the Court under the procedure provided for jury tria…

(a) On the return day specified by subsection (g) of section 16-3902, or at such later time as the judge sets, the trial shall be had. Immediately prior to the trial of a case pursuant to this chapter, the judge shall make an earnest effort to settle the controversy by conciliati…

When judgment is to be rendered in an action pursuant to this chapter and the party against whom it is to be entered requests it, the judge shall inquire fully into his earnings and financial status and may stay the entry of judgment, and stay execution, except in cases involving…

When a judgment rendered in an action pursuant to this chapter is founded in whole or in part on a claim for wages or personal services, the judge shall, upon motion of the party obtaining judgment, order the appearance of the party against whom the judgment has been entered, but…

In the action pursuant to this chapter, the award of costs is in the discretion of the judge, who may include therein the reasonable cost of bonds and undertakings, and other reasonable expenses incident to the action, incurred by either party.

Except as otherwise provided by this chapter or the rules of the court, a party obtaining a judgment in the Small Claims and Conciliation Branch is entitled to the same remedies, processes, costs, and benefits as are given or inure to other judgment creditors in the court.