Abbott Law Blog

Utah raised the jurisdictional limit in small claims court to $10,000 this years.  That means that small claims courts can issue judgments for amounts up to $10,000 inclusive of attorneys fees.  Interest and costs of suit can exceed the $10,000 limit.

This makes small claims courts an attractive alternative to District Court for small cases.  Small claims cases are typically resolved within a few months whereas District Court cases can last a year or more.

Small claims courts still are not allowed to issue injunctions.  In other words, they can’t tell a person to do anythign other than pay money.  That means they aren’t good alternatives for foreclosure, quiet title, wrongful competition and other similar cases where a litigant wants a court order regarding something other than the payment of money.

The short answer is yes.  The Utah legislature has enacted a statute that changed the common law in Utah regarding dog bites.  Traditionally, you were only liable if you knew or should have known that your dog had a dangerous propensity.  That is still the case in may States, including New York.

Utah has strict liability.  In other words, if your dog bites or otherwise injuries another person, you are liable regardless of your own negligence.  No one free bite rule in Utah.

Courts have narrowed the statute in interpreting it.  For example, if your neighbor teased or otherwise provoked your dog, you may not be liable for your neighbors injuries when your dog defended itself.