§ 24-9. Institution of Small Claims Actions--Preparation of Writ

The small claims writ and notice of suit shall be on a form prescribed by the office of the chief court administrator. The plaintiff, or representative, shall state the nature and amount of the claim on the writ in concise, untechnical form and, if the claim seeks collection of a consumer debt, shall state the basis upon which the plaintiff claims that the statute of limitations has not expired. The writ is to be signed by either the plaintiff, or representative, under oath. The oath shall provide that the signer has read the claim, and that to the best of the signer's knowledge, information and belief there is good ground to support it. If the claim is more than a convenient length for entry on the writ in full, the plaintiff, or representative, shall attach additional pages as needed. The plaintiff, or representative, shall also state on the writ the plaintiff's and the defendant's place of residence or other address. At the time of filing any writ, the plaintiff, or attorney, shall verify the defendant's address. Such verification shall include confirmation by at least one of the following methods made during the six months prior to the filing of the writ: (1) municipal record verification (e.g., from a street list or tax records); (2) verification from the Department of Motor Vehicles; (3) receipt of correspondence from the defendant with that return address; (4) other verification, specifically described by the plaintiff, from the defendant that the address is current; (5) the mailing by first class mail, at least four weeks prior to the filing of the small claims action, of a letter to the defendant at such address, which letter has not been returned by the United States Postal Service. The plaintiff shall state under oath in the writ which method of verification was employed within the last six months, the date of verification, and that the method confirmed the accuracy of the address submitted. No default judgment shall enter in the absence of such verification or if it is apparent that the defendant did not reside at the address at the time of service.