to $10,000 from $5,000.

Minister for Legislative affairs the Hon. Ann Cartwright DeCouto said: "Under the present legislation, a Magistrate may only hear civil cases up to $5,000,'' she said. "If the amunt is above $5,000 the case must go to Supreme Court.

"We want to increase the ceiling. Since the $5,000 limit was set the real value has increased. Magistrates' Court should really be a small claims court, where people can represent themselves.'' Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto tabled the bill on Friday in the House of Assembly.