Appeal Rights

Pursuant to G.L. § 10-16-1, the plaintiff waives the right to appeal from any adverse decision rendered in a small claims action. The defendant may, within two (2) days, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, claim an appeal from any adverse decision other than those described in G.L. § 10-16-14. See G.L. § 9-12-10. The appeal must be filed in writing with the clerk of the division of the District Court where the small claims action was entered and by simultaneously paying the appropriate appeal fee plus any applicable technology surcharges. The most current version of the appeal form is located on the Judiciary's website at www.courts.ri.gov under the heading of Public Resources, Forms. By filing a counterclaim, the defendant waives the right to appeal on a counterclaim, and the plaintiff has the right to appeal on a counterclaim only.