(a) every personal action in which the amount,
value or damage sought to be recovered is not more than the prescribed limit,
whether on a balance of account or after an admitted set-off or otherwise,
including any claim for detention of goods or chattels; and
(b) every action
brought to recover a sum of not more than the prescribed limit, which is the
whole or part of the unliquidated balance of a partnership account, or the
amount or part of the amount of the distributive share under an intestacy or
of a legacy under a will; and
(c) every action in which a person has an
equitable claim or demand against another person in respect of which—
(i)
the only relief sought is—
(A) the recovery of a sum of money or of damages,
whether liquidated or unliquidated; or
(B) the delivery of possession of
goods or chattels in relation to a right, security interest, encumbrance,
charge or lien; and
(ii) the amount, value or damage claimed is not more than
the prescribed limit;
may be commenced in a Magistrates Court, and all
Magistrates Courts shall within their respective districts have power and
authority to hear and determine in a summary way all such actions.
(2) For
the purpose of determining whether a Magistrates Court has jurisdiction under
subsection (1) for a claim for detention of goods or chattels, the amount
claimed is taken to be the total of—
(a) the amount claimed for the value of
the goods or chattels; and
(b) any amount claimed for damages for the
detention of the goods or chattels.
