HRS §633-30
When a counterclaim goes over the small claims limit
If a tenant's counterclaim is more than the small claims court can handle but still within the district court's limit, the case stays in small claims and is fully heard there. Also, in eviction cases, the district court can hear security deposit disputes between landlords and tenants.
landlordstenants
The statute, as written — Counterclaim; retention of jurisdiction
When the limit of the district court as provided by section 633-27 is exceeded in a counterclaim but within the jurisdictional limit of the court as provided by section 604-5, the action shall nevertheless remain in the small claims division of the district court and be tried therein in its entirety; provided that the district court having jurisdiction over a civil action involving summary possession shall have concurrent jurisdiction with the small claims division of the district court over any security deposit dispute between landlord and tenant in a residential landlord-tenant relationship.
Sections this one refers to
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