“The superior courts are the primary trial courts in California, with unlimited monetary and general subject matter jurisdiction, except when jurisdiction is expressly given to other tribunals. The organization and jurisdiction of the superior courts are set forth in the California Constitution and the Government Code. Although the superior court is in one sense a “state court,” it is also a “county court.” Thus there are 58 superior courts systems each consisting of one or more judges in California, one for each of the state’s 58 counties.
Previously each county in California had a superior court and at least one municipal court with separate subject matter jurisdiction. However, in 1998 the California Constitution was amended to permit unification of the municipal and superior courts in each county into a single superior court. Courts in all California counties are now unified with municipal courts ceasing to exist.
Civil cases that were formerly within the jurisdiction of the municipal courts (commonly when the amount involved was $25,000 or less) are now designated as “limited civil cases” in the superior court, with all other cases being designated as “unlimited civil cases.” [CCP 86] specifically defines what types of cases are “limited civil cases.” The existence of a statute relating to the authority of a court in one type of case (i.e., “limited” or “unlimited”) does not by itself extend that authority to the other type of case.
Each superior court has a small claims division with special rules and procedures (commonly when claims by natural persons involves $10,000 or less and claims by entities involve $5,000 or less).
Each superior court also has an appellate division that reviews judgments in limited civil cases. [CCP 904.2] specifically defines what types of limited civil case judgments or orders are within the jurisdiction of the superior court appellate division. Small claims appeals are reviewed de novo by the superior court, not by the superior court’s appellate division.”
[California Civil Courtroom Handbook & Desktop Reference [certain citations omitted]]
