Small claims actions

(1)(a) An adult in custody who brings an action against a public body in a small claims department must serve the notice and claim and all subsequent filings on the public body. If the public body is the Department of Corrections or another state agency, the adult in custody must also serve the notice and claim and all subsequent filings on the Attorney General. (b) Notice and claim served under paragraph (a) of this subsection must be served in the manner provided in ORS 46.445. (2) The public body or Attorney General served under subsection (1) of this section must take action as required under ORS 46.455. (3) Notwithstanding ORS 46.405, in an action against a public body brought under this section, the court shall transfer the action to the regular department of the circuit court upon request of the public body or, if the public body is the Department of Corrections or another state agency, or an officer, employee or agent of the Department of Corrections or the state agency, upon request of the public body or the Attorney General. (4) Notwithstanding ORS 46.415, in an action against a public body brought under this section, if the public body is the Department of Corrections or another state agency, or an officer, employee or agent of the Department of Corrections or the state agency, an attorney or paralegal employed by the Department of Justice may appear and represent the public body. (5)(a) Notwithstanding ORS 46.475, in an action against a public body brought under this section, notice of intent to apply for an order of default, in the form prescribed by Uniform Trial Court Rule 2.010, must be filed and served on the public body against which an order of default is sought at least 10 days before a court may enter an order of default. If the public body is the Department of Corrections or another state agency, or an officer, employee or agent of the Department of Corrections or the state agency, notice must also be served on the Attorney General. (b) The court may not enter a default judgment in favor of the adult in custody unless the adult in custody submits to the court proof of service by affidavit of the notice and claim required under subsection (1) of this section and the notice of intent to apply for an order of default required under paragraph (a) of this subsection.