Each of Vermont's 14 counties has a
Superior Court. The Superior
Courts 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
Superior Court. While Superior Courts are not designed for pro se litigants
(persons representing themselves in court cases), there is no prohibition
against it. Persons appearing in Superior Court 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 Superior Courts 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.