Problem–solving:

a. Copy the complaint form (or get a copy of the form used in your local small claims court). Fill out the form with a complaint that you have had or that a friend or a family member has had. Write a short description of the events giving rise to the claim.

b. What would you do if you were notified that you were being sued in small claims court for failing to pay a bill? What would happen if you ignored the notice or did not show up in court?

c. Do you think small claims courts should follow normal court rules? Should lawyers be allowed? Why or why not?

Role–play.

Roles:

1. Victim.You want to apply to small claims court (think why). Roleplay the three general steps and present your case in court.

2. Court clerk. Help the applicant to fill out the forms and give necessary advice.

3. Uncooperative witnesses. First you don’t agree to go to the court (give your reasons), then you are ordered to go and give the evidence.

4. Friend. Listen to your friend’s presentation before he/she does it in the court and give advice.

5. Judge. Listen to the presentation of the case, to the witnesses, ask questions and make decision.

Read and translate the text:

Deceptive sales practices

Most sellers are honest, but some are not. A few use deceptive or unfair sales techniques. As a result, consumers must learn to recognize and avoid deceptive sales practices.

Easy Money

Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were struggling to make ends meet and to feed their family of five. They decided that they needed to borrow money to meet their expenses for the month. They considered going to a bank for a loan, but they knew they had poor credit histories, and they didn’t want to be paying off interest over a long period of time.

They were very interested when they read the following ad in the newspaper:

EASY MONEY: Are you having trouble making ends meet? Do you need a short–term loan just to get you through a rough time? We offer quick loans to anyone regardless of credit background; No interest payments. Just a nominal processing fee. CALL TODAY!!

The offer sounded too good to be true. But although the Johnsons were skeptical, they called. The operator saidshe would be happy to offer them a no–interest loan of $2,000 repayable in six easy monthly installments. All the Johnsons had to do was to pay a one–time $200 fee that the company would use to process the paperwork.

The Johnsons did not have to meet anybody from the loan company, and nobody bothered them at their home. They scraped together the $200 and sent Easy Money, Inc., a money order.

When they had not received their money in three weeks, they began to worry. They again called the number listed in the paper, but the line had been disconnected. Finally, after, two additional weeks, they realized they were not going to get their loan and would never see the “processing fee” again.

Problem–solving:

a. Did any unfair or deceptive practices take place in the John–sons’ story? Explain.

b. What could the Johnsons have done to prevent their loss?

c. What can they do now? Can any state or federal agencies help them?

d. How can merchants and consumers use small claims court?

Match the words on the left with the correct definition on the right:

Community	payment.
Filing	question to be decided in a law court.
Com­plicated	deal with.
Clerk	application.
Minor	statement of claim.
Handle	district.
Fee	trial of a case at law.
Complaint	anything that proves sth.
Case	less important.
Incur	person who gives evidence in a law court.
Evidence	difficult.
Postponement	a person employed to keep records and accounts, copy letters etc.
Hearing	ordered to appear in court.
Subpoenaed	public officer with authority to hear and decide cases in a law court.
Witness	bring upon oneself.
Judge	continuance.