Haefner v. Apcoa Parking, Inc.

OPINION OF THE COURT

John Manning Regan J.

Subject to rare exceptions not relevant in these cases, the Legislature has charged Small Claims Courts: "[to] conduct hearings upon small claims in such manner as to do substantial justice between the parties according to the rules of substantive law and [such courts] shall not be bound by statutory provisions or rules of practice, procedure, pleading or evidence” (UCCA 1804).

In obedience to that legislative mandate — to do substantial justice according to the rules of substantive law and without regard to the rules of pleading and practice — this…