(a)
(1) The Arkansas State Claims Commission may establish a small claims adjudication process for claims or actions seeking one thousand dollars ($1,000) or less.
(2) The small claims adjudication process shall provide that claims or actions be given docket priority, and the use of informal discovery, hearings utilizing teleconferencing or other off-site communications technology, and relaxed procedural rules are encouraged to facilitate efficient and timely resolution.
(b)
(1) A claim or action seeking one thousand dollars ($1,000) or less may be:
(A) Assigned to be heard by one (1) commissioner of the commission; and
(B) Decided by the commissioner on the basis of the pleadings alone.
(2) If a claimant objects to having the claim or action heard as a small claims adjudication under this section, the claimant may request that the claim or action be heard in the usual manner for similar claims or actions.
(c) Before a proposed written final order of a small claims adjudication under this section is considered final for the purposes of award or appeal, the proposed written final order shall be reviewed by a panel consisting of:
(1) The commissioner of the commission assigned to the claim or action; and
(2) Two (2) other commissioners of the commission.
Structure Arkansas Code
Chapter 10 - Claims Against the State
Subchapter 2 - Arkansas State Claims Commission
§ 19-10-201. Creation of commission — Members — Salary and expense reimbursement
§ 19-10-202. Director — Personnel
§ 19-10-203. Duties of director
§ 19-10-205. Rulemaking authority
§ 19-10-210. Notice and hearings
§ 19-10-211. Appeals of decisions — Jurisdiction — Time periods to file
§ 19-10-212. Reports of state agency liability
§ 19-10-215. Restrictions on awards
§ 19-10-216. Final orders — Findings of fact and conclusions of law required
§ 19-10-217. Motions — Grounds required to preserve for appeal
§ 19-10-218. Interlocutory appeals prohibited
§ 19-10-219. Small claims adjudication
§ 19-10-220. Special masters authorized
§ 19-10-221. Abuse of process by litigants
§ 19-10-222. Corporate or business entity to be represented by attorney
§ 19-10-223. Failure to exhaust available state or administrative remedy