NC S452

Increases small claims action jurisdictional limit from $5,000 to $10,000, effective August 1, 2013.

Raises district court jurisdiction threshold from $10,000 to $25,000; provides that either district or superior court has proper jurisdiction for cases between $10,000 and $25,000 through June 30, 2015.

Makes court-ordered nonbinding arbitration mandatory for all civil actions with claims not exceeding $25,000, unless all parties waive arbitration; maintains parties' right to jury trial and trial de novo after arbitration.

Assesses $100 arbitration fee per case, split equally among parties, in cases referred to arbitration under this procedure.

Requires courts to assess all court costs and attorneys' fees against the appellant in small claims appeals when the arbitrator's decision favoring the appellee is affirmed on appeal.