COMMITTEE ON RULES AND JUDICIARY 
 
 
BILL NO. 
35-0183 
 
 
Thirty-Fifth Legislature of the Virgin Islands 
 
 
 
October 27, 2023 
 
 
 
An Act amending title 4, Virgin Islands Code, chapter 7, section 112 to increase the amount in 
controversy from $10,000 to $20,000 in the Small Claims Division of the Superior Court 
 
 
 
PROPOSED BY: 
 
Senator Franklin D. Johnson 
Co-sponsor: Kenneth L. Gittens 
WHEREAS, the amount in controversy for a small claims action was increased from 
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$5,000 to $10,000 in 2006; 
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WHEREAS, increasing the amount in controversy for small claims actions will allow 
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more individuals to have their matters heard expeditiously in the Magistrate Division of the 
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Superior Court of the Virgin Islands; 
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WHEREAS, individuals that have a claim in excess of $10,000, exclusive of interest 
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and cost, either have to waive the amounts in excess of $10,000 or file their cases in the Civil 
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Division of the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands; and 
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WHEREAS, increasing the amount in controversy for small claims actions will reduce 
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the number of cases filed in the Civil Division of the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands; 
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Now, Therefore; 
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Be it enacted by the Legislature of the Virgin Islands: 
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SECTION 1.  Title 4, Virgin Islands Code, chapter 7, section 112, subsections (a), (b) 
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and (c) are amended by striking “$10,000” wherever it appears and inserting “$20,000” in lieu 
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thereof. 
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BILL SUMMARY 
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This bill amends title 4, Virgin Islands Code, chapter 7, section 112 to increase the amount 
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in controversy from $10,000 to $20,000 in the Small Claims Division of the Superior Court to 
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reduce the case load in the Civil Division. 
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BR23-0064/January 27, 2023/NS/REVISED/October 20,2023/NS 
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