Campisi

In this case we hold that parties had sufficient notice and opportunity to be heard before the superior court transferred their case to municipal court pursuant to Walker v. Superior Court (1991) 53 Cal.3d 257 [ 279 Cal.Rptr. 576 , 807 P.2d 418 ], when it became clear the matter would necessarily result in a verdict below the amount sufficient to establish superior court jurisdiction. There are three levels of trial courts: the superior court, the municipal court, and the small claims court; this case does not belong in the first, does belong in the second, but would find its true home in the third.

Petitioners William Campisi, an attorney, and Glenna Mills (Campisi) are plaintiffs in a lawsuit against real party Broadway Motors Ford (Broadway), arising from the allegedly faulty repair of their car. After settlement proceedings the superior court found that a verdict in excess of $25,000, the jurisdictional minimum of the superior court, could not be obtained and transferred the matter to municipal court. Campisi sought a writ of mandate to set aside the transfer order. We denied the petition, but the Supreme Court granted review and retransferred the matter with…