Lau v. City of Oelwein

SCHULTZ, Justice.

We are asked to decide when the time period allowed for the taking of an appeal from a judgment rendered by a magistrate in a small claims action commences. Iowa Code section 631.13(1) provides that “a written notice of appeal must be filed with the clerk within ten days after judgment is rendered.” As the term “rendered” is not defined in chapter 631, we must ascertain when it is that a small claims judgment is rendered.

The facts are undisputed. Gary L. Lau and Ruth A. Lau commenced a tort action against the city of Oelwein in small claims division of district court. Trial…