THE SMALL CLAIMS COURT OFFERS LAY PEOPLE, THOSE WITH LITTLE OR NO LEGAL EXPERIENCE, A SIMPLE AND FLEXIBLE PROCEDURE FOR BRINGING A LAW SUIT WHEN THEY BELIEVE MONEY IS OWED TO THEM. AN ATTORNEY IS NOT NEEDED. BOTH THE JUDGE AND COURT PERSONNEL HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED TO MAKE THE PROCESS AS SIMPLE AS POSSIBLE. FORMAL COURT RULES AND PROCEDURES ARE NOT FOLLOWED SO THAT THE TWO PARTIES INVOLVED IN THE DISPUTE CAN TELL THEIR STORIES TO THE JUDGE IN AN INFORMAL ATMOSPHERE. BECAUSE A SMALL CLAIMS CASE SHOULD BE VIEWED AS A LEGITIMATE COURT TRIAL, HOWEVER, ADEQUATE PREPARATION IS NECESSARY. THE HANDBOOK CONTAINS GUIDELINES ON THE FUNCTIONS OF A SMALL CLAIMS COURT, WHO CAN SUE IN A SMALL CLAIMS COURT, WHEN THE COURT SHOULD BE USED, WHERE A LAW SUIT SHOULD BE INITIATED, STEPS TO BE TAKEN IN DECIDING TO FILE A LAW SUIT, HOW TO BEGIN A LAW SUIT, WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE FILING OF A LAW SUIT, PREPARATION FOR THE HEARING, WHAT TO DO IF A CASE IS LOST, HOW TO COLLECT MONEY, LANDLORD-TENANT ACTIONS, AND WHAT TO DO WHEN SUED OR WHEN IT IS NECESSARY TO DEFEND A COUNTERCLAIM. AN APPENDIX INCLUDES A GUIDE TO CONSUMER REFERRALS, A LIST OF COURT LOCATIONS IN MARYLAND, A CLAIM STATEMENT, AND A NOTICE TO DEFEND.