DC · rules
D.C. Super. Ct. Sm. Cl. R. 9
Persons Appearing in a Representative Capacity
(a) IN GENERAL. Except as provided in Rule 9(b) and (c) and District of Columbia
Court of Appeals Rule 49(c), only members in good standing of the District of Columbia
Bar are permitted to appear in this branch in a representative capacity for any purpose
other than securing a continuance.
(b) CORPORATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS. No corporation or partnership may
appear as a plaintiff in this branch except through a member in good standing of the
District of Columbia Bar. Corporations and partnerships may appear as defendants as
provided in District of Columbia Court of Appeals Rule 49(c)(11).
(c) LAW STUDENTS. Any law student admitted to the limited practice of law under
District of Columbia Court of Appeals Rule 48 may engage in the limited practice of law
in the Small Claims and Conciliation Branch subject to the provisions of Civil Rule
101(e).
History
COMMENT TO 2018 AMENDMENTS This rule has been amended consistent with the stylistic changes to the civil rules. The term “partnership” was added to section (b) to reflect a similar change to District of Columbia Court of Appeals Rule 49(c)(11), where the relevant provision is now located. COMMENT District of Columbia Court of Appeals Rule 49(c)(6) allows a corporation to appear in defense of a small claim action through an authorized officer, director or employee. The Rule directs that the non-lawyer file along with his or her appearance an affidavit of a corporate officer vesting in the representative the requisite authority to bind the corporation at time of settlement or trial, and the Rule requires that the corporation be represented by a lawyer if the corporation files a cross-claim or a counterclaim, if the matter is appealed or if the matter is certified to the Civil Division.
Provenance
- Source
- dccourts.gov
- Retrieved
- 2026-09-14
- Edition
- 2026-09-14
- Content hash
69631e324d3a61deca0d505308fc1192a681699d63f7a7965a3b90496dca1676
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