The court may give judgment for damages, equitable relief, or both, and may make other orders as the court deems just and equitable for the resolution of the dispute. If specific property is referred to in the judgment, whether it be personal or real, tangible or intangible, the property must be identified with sufficient detail to permit efficient implementation or enforcement of the judgment.
Rule 3.2108.Form of judgment
Division 21. Rules for Small Claims Actions · Chapter 1. Trial Rules · Last amended 2007 · Last verified July 29, 2026
In one sentenceRule 3.2108 authorizes a small claims court to award damages, equitable relief, or both, along with other just and equitable orders, and requires any property named in the judgment to be described in enough detail to enforce.
Full Text of Rule 3.2108
Plain-English Summary
Small claims judgments are not limited to a dollar figure. Rule 3.2108 confirms that a small claims court can award damages, order equitable relief such as requiring or forbidding an act, or combine both in the same judgment, and can add whatever other orders it finds just and equitable to resolve the dispute in front of it.
That flexibility comes with a drafting requirement. When a judgment refers to specific property — personal or real, tangible or intangible — the description has to be detailed enough that the judgment can be carried out or enforced later. A judgment that vaguely gestures at "the property" invites disputes down the road about what was ordered; Rule 3.2108 pushes courts to write judgments that avoid that problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a small claims court order something other than money damages?
Yes. Rule 3.2108 allows a small claims court to give judgment for damages, equitable relief, or both, and to make other orders it finds just and equitable to resolve the dispute.
How specific does a small claims judgment have to be about property?
Very specific. Rule 3.2108 requires any personal or real, tangible or intangible property referenced in the judgment to be identified in enough detail to allow the judgment to be efficiently implemented or enforced.
Does Rule 3.2108 limit what kind of relief a small claims court can grant?
No. It confirms broad authority to combine damages and equitable relief and to add other just and equitable orders, rather than restricting the court’s options.
Amendment History
Rule 3.2108 amended and renumbered effective January 1, 2007; adopted as rule 1705 effective July 1, 1991.
Source & verification. Rule text is reproduced verbatim from
the Judicial Council of California. Adopted by the Judicial Council of California.
Last verified July 29, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: small claims judgment for property Californiacan small claims court order equitable reliefform of small claims judgment rule