In civil cases, they are only empowered to award legal damages, and generally cannot provide remedies in equity, such as injunctions or declaratory judgments.
[1] The amount in controversy is determined without considering interest or attorney's fees, even if recovery of these costs is specified in the contract.
Within these limitations, the GDC can hear cases in tort or contract, and actions in detinue seeking the return of wrongfully held personal property.
In cases involving unlawful detainer of real estate used for business, commercial, or agricultural purposes, the GDC may hear cases involving claims of rent owed and property damage without limitation.
[2] The GDC may issue distress warrants establishing the rights of a creditor to seize property, again without limit as to the amount.
[3] The only injunctive relief that the GDC may grant is in enforcing the state's Freedom of Information Act.
The defendant need not file an answer at all, but can simply show up in court on the designated "return date" and contest the claim.
If the defendant feels that the plaintiff has not provided enough information about the cause of action, he may file a motion for a "bill of particulars", and if the court grants such a motion then the plaintiff will be ordered to provide the requested details.
A defendant may also file a counterclaim against the plaintiff, or a cross-claim against a co-defendant, at any point before the trial begins, so long as the amount is within the jurisdictional limits of the GDC.
The GDC can also entertain interpleader causes of action, allowing a party holding something of value to force all competing claimants to litigate which of them has the superior claim.
Evidence is presented by oral testimony of witnesses, although personal injury damages may be proved by written records from a hospital or health care provider.
In determining whether the matter exceeds $50, the Circuit Court looks to the recovery achieved by the plaintiff.
On retrial in the Circuit Court brought about by an appeal from the defendant, the plaintiff may seek leave to amend to increase the claim to an amount in excess of the $25,000 limitation of the GDC.