Superior Court of California. County of San Mateo

Books and Pamphlets

Collecting Your Small Claims Judgment: California Department of Consumer Affairs. 1989.; Send a $10.00 check or money order payable to: Procurement Publications Department of General Services, Documents and Publications, P.O. Box 1015, North Highlands, CA 95660. Refer to the title and Stock No. 7540-957-1301-0.
Everybody's Guide to Small Claims Court in California 13th Ed.: Ralph Warner. Nolo Press. May, 1998.
How to Collect When You Win a Lawsuit, (California Edition) 4th edition.: Gini Graham Scott & Attorney Robin Leonard. Nolo Press. August, 1999.
The Landlord's Law Book Vol. 1 Rights and Responsibilities. CA 6th Ed.: David Brown and Ralph Warner. Nolo Press. May, 1998.
Neighbor Law: Fences, Trees, Boundaries and Noise Nat'l. 3rd. Ed.: Cora Jordan. Nolo Press. May, 1998.
Tenant's Rights California 14th Ed.: Myron Moskovitz and Ralph Warner. Nolo Press. August, 1999.
Using the Small Claims Court, A Handbook for Plaintiffs and Defendants: California Department of Consumer Affairs, 1992.
Available at the Small Claims Court Clerk's office or by sending a self-addressed 7" x 10" stamped envelope to "Using the Small Claims Court" PO Box 310, Sacramento, CA 95802.
What You Should Know Before You Hire a Contractor, 5th Ed.: Department of Consumer Affairs, 1995.; A free copy is available by writing to: Handbook, The Consumer Information Center Pueblo, CO 81009

Attorney Services

San Mateo County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service: 1/2 hour consultation for $30
(650) 369-4149
333 Bradford Street Redwood City, CA 94063

Palo Alto Area Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service (Southern San Mateo County): 1/2 hour consultation for $35
(650) 326-8322
405 Sherman Ave. Palo Alto, CA 94306

Legal Information by Telephone

Small Claims Information: Small Claims information on menu-driven telephone system.
Redwood City: (650) 363-4303
San Mateo: (650) 573-2605
South San Francisco: (650) 877-5775.

Small Claims Advice

Small Claims Advisory Service: Tuesday evenings from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. No fee.
800 N. Humboldt St., Courtroom I, San Mateo, CA 94401

Libraries

San Mateo County Law Library: (650) 363-4160
710 Hamilton Street Redwood City, CA
Santa Clara County Law Library (Palo Alto Branch): (650) 324-2380
270 Grant Road Palo Alto, CA
Redwood City Public Library: 1044 Middlefield Rd.
Redwood City, CA
(650) 780-7018
Nolo Press and other books related to Small Claims for reference and check-out
South San Francisco Public Library: 840 West Orange Ave.
South San Francisco, CA
(650) 829-3862
Nolo Press and other books related to Small Claims for reference and check-out

Mediation

Useful Telephone Numbers and WWW Sites

Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR): (408) 277-1860 (San Jose office) or (800) 952-5210
California Department of Consumer Affairs: (800) 344-9940 or (916) 445-1254
California Department of Industrial Relations Div. of Labor Standards Enforcement Public Information Unit: P.O. Box 420603 San Francisco, CA 94142 (415) 557-7878; 2424 Arden Way, Suite 360 Sacramento, CA 95825 (916) 323-4920; San Francisco Branch Office (415) 557-7878
Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit of San Mateo County District Attorney's Office: (650) 363-4651
Contractors State License Board: (415) 469-6200 (local office) or (800) 321-2752
San Mateo County Small Claims Clerk's Office: Southern Branch: (650) 363-4303
Central Branch: (650) 573-2605
Northern Branch: (650) 877-5778
Department of Insurance, State of California: (800) 927-4357
State Bar of California: (800) 843-9053 (complaints about attorneys); (415) 561-8280 (consumer pamphlets)