Bill > SB742

This bill increases the civil jurisdiction of magistrate courts in West Virginia from $10,000 to $20,000, allowing these lower-level courts to handle civil cases with higher monetary values. It also clarifies the rules for corporate parties appearing in magistrate court, explicitly stating that corporations may appear pro se (representing themselves) through an agent or attorney, with the important caveat that the corporation must be pursuing its own claims and not attempting to adjudicate rights for a third party. The bill maintains existing restrictions on magistrate court jurisdiction, such as prohibiting actions involving real estate title disputes, equity matters, and certain extraordinary legal remedies. Additionally, the bill makes minor language adjustments regarding the administrative powers of magistrate court personnel, such as changing "shall have the authority to" to "may" when describing their ability to administer oaths, take affidavits, and acknowledge legal documents. These changes aim to provide more flexibility and clarity in the procedural operations of magistrate courts while expanding their ability to handle a broader range of civil disputes.

Justice

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=742&year=2025&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill