Donald Laird v. Monica Benton

OPINION

Laura Carter Higley, Justice

Donald Laird challenges the county civil court at law’s order dismissing his appeal to that court of a small claims court judgment rendered against him in favor of Monica Benton. On appeal to this Court, the dispositive issue raised by Laird is whether the county civil court at law (“county court”) erred when it dismissed Laird’s appeal for lack of jurisdiction. Because we hold that it did, we reverse the county court’s judgment and remand for further proceedings.

Background

In February 2011, Monica Benton filed suit in small claims court against Donald Laird.…