Each of Vermont's 14 counties has a
Superior Court. The Civil
Division are trial courts where civil matters such as breach of contract,
eviction, foreclosure, personal injury, land disputes, medical malpractice and
wrongful death cases are heard. Appeals from the Probate Court are also heard in
Civil Division. While the Civil Division is not designed for pro se litigants
(persons representing themselves in court cases), there is no prohibition
against it. Persons appearing in the Civil Division are expected to be familiar
with the Vermont Rules of Civil Procedure and with the Vermont Rules of
Evidence. The geographic jurisdiction for a Superior Court is the county in
which it is located.
The Civil Division also include Small Claims Courts,
which are designed for pro se litigants. Forms are provided in Small Claims
Court for persons to use in the small claims process. Cases with money damages
claims of up to $5,000 can be filed in Small Claims Court.
U.S. Passport applications are processed at most
Superior Courthouses throughout the state, although not all Superior Courts do
provide that service.