Oregon Statutes 20.082 – Attorney fees for small contract claims
(1) As used in this section, ‘contract’ includes:
Terms Used In Oregon Statutes 20.082
- Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
- Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
- Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
- Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
- Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
- Statute: A law passed by a legislature.
(a) Express contracts;
(b) Implied contracts; and
(c) Instruments or documents evidencing a debt.
(2) Except as provided in this section, a court shall allow reasonable attorney fees to the prevailing party on any claim based on contract if:
(a) The amount of the principal together with interest due on the contract at the time the claim is filed is $10,000 or less; and
(b) The contract does not contain a clause that authorizes or requires the award of attorney fees.
(3) Attorney fees may not be awarded to a plaintiff under the provisions of this section unless written demand for payment of the claim was made on the defendant not less than 20 days before the commencement of the action or the filing of a formal complaint under ORS § 46.465, or not more than 20 days after the transfer of the action under ORS § 46.461. The failure of a plaintiff to give notice under the provisions of this subsection does not affect the ability of a defendant to claim attorney fees under the provisions of this section.
(4) Attorney fees may not be awarded to a plaintiff under the provisions of this section if the court finds that the defendant tendered to the plaintiff, prior to the commencement of the action or the filing of a formal complaint under ORS § 46.465, or not more than 20 days after the transfer of the action under ORS § 46.461, an amount not less than the amount awarded to the plaintiff.
(5) The provisions of this section do not apply to:
(a) Contracts for insurance;
(b) Contracts for which another statute authorizes or requires an award of attorney fees;
(c) Any action for damages for breach of an express or implied warranty in a sale of consumer goods or services that is subject to ORS § 20.098; or
(d) Any action against the maker of a dishonored check that is subject to ORS § 30.701. [2001 c.542 § 1; 2005 c.22 § 10; 2009 c.487 § 5]