Legal Aid and Defender Association Inc is once again presenting seminars to help area residents learn how to represent themselves in small claims court. Speakers at the recent event in Sterling Heights featured Kelly Bidelman, managing attorney of LAD’s Macomb County office, and Craig Pappas, executive director of The Resolution Center in Mount Clemens.
Legal Aid and Defender Association, Inc. (LAD) conducted the third of its three summer workshops on small claims court Sept. 18 at Sterling Heights Public Library.
Small claims court is a judicial process in district courts for settling money disputes of $5,000 or less.
LAD’s workshops are designed to teach residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties how to represent themselves in the courts and collect money judgments.
Kelly L. Bidelman, managing attorney of LAD’s Macomb County office in Mount Clemens, conducted the workshop.
In her introductory remarks, she pointed out that parties who bring suit in small claims court waive their rights to be represented by an attorney, to a jury trial and to appeal judges’
decisions.
Craig Pappas, executive director of The Resolution Center in Mount Clemens, explained how attendees could use mediation as an alternative to filing suit in small claims court.
Automatic mediation is a requirement in several Macomb County jurisdictions, he said.
Small claims actions comprise between 45 and 50 percent of The Resolution Center’s annual caseload, he said.
LAD will conduct a series of three free workshops this fall for residents of Wayne, Macomb and Oakland counties on how to represent themselves in small claims court and collect money judgments.
LAD scheduled the workshops in response to the popularity of its six spring and summer workshops on small claims court.
The first workshop will be held Tuesday, Oct. 23 from 4 to 6 p.m. at LAD headquarters, 613 Abbott St., Detroit.
It will feature a presentation on mediation by the Wayne Mediation Center.
The second workshop will be held Thursday, Nov. 8 from 1 to 3 p.m. at St. Clair Shores Public Library, 22500 E. 11 Mile Road, St. Clair Shores.
It will feature a presentation on mediation by The Resolution Center.
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