Appealing a Small Claims Decision

If you are unhappy with the decision the judge made in your small claims case, you can appeal the case to have the decision reviewed by another judge. To appeal you must:

• Either tell the judge after the hearing that you want to appeal or file a notice of appeal within twenty days after the decision is rendered.
• Pay the docket fee to the clerk of court within twenty days after the decision is rendered.

If a magistrate judge decided the original action, a district associate or district court judge will hear the appeal. If a district associate judge heard the original action, a district court judge will decide the appeal. And if a district court judge heard the original action, another district court judge will decide the appeal.  You cannot present new evidence at your appeal. The appeal will be based on the “record” of the case.  

Finally, if you are unhappy with the outcome of the appeal, you may ask the Iowa Supreme Court to review the case. However, in small claims cases, the Supreme Court has the option to decide whether to review the case—review is not a right.