F E A T U R E A R T I C L E J u d g e M i c h a e l B a g g é - H e r n á n d e z – T h i r t e e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t C o u r t
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during their meeting , Judge Baggé-Hernández presented Judge Mirko Bonačić-dorić with a letter of friendship . What could have been a mere formality instead felt like a tangible link between two legal cultures , bridging not just the geographical distance between Florida and Chile , but also the conceptual gap between different traditions of handling minor legal disputes . The letter began with warm greetings from the Conference of County Court Judges of Florida , acknowledging the INJPL ’ s commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice for all . It praised the Chilean institution ’ s efforts to enhance judicial efficiency and fortify the rule of law , recognizing the value of their work in improving access to justice for ordinary citizens .
The letter conveyed the Conference ’ s deep respect for Chile ’ s efforts , as well as an understanding of the challenges Chile would face in creating a new small claims framework . Establishing specialized courts , or at least embedding small claims procedures into existing systems , requires careful planning . It means enacting new laws , training judges , educating the public about how to use these courts , and ensuring that administrative procedures remain streamlined and transparent . The letter acknowledged that both organizations , despite their differences in location and history , shared an underlying belief : a strong judiciary is the cornerstone of a just society . This mutual respect provided the philosophical glue that held the entire exchange together .
As Judge Mirko Bonačić-dorić accepted the letter , he acknowledged that he was receiving more than kind words on paper . The acknowledgment signaled that Tampa ’ s example had significance and that the experiences gleaned during these days of observation carried weight . While Florida had spent decades refining its small claims practices , Chile stood on the threshold of designing something new . The insights gathered in Tampa — observing how a judge explained each step to unfamiliar litigants , how a mediator skillfully guided opponents toward compromise , and how court staff managed heavy dockets without losing the human touch — could be woven into Chile ’ s own legal tapestry .
For the Chilean delegation , the hope was that constitutional reforms could one day reflect these lessons . Perhaps future legislation would incorporate dedicated small claims courts or integrate structured mediation protocols as a mandatory first step . Maybe there would be public awareness campaigns to teach Chilean citizens that the legal system can be accessible and user-friendly , even for those who have never set foot in a courtroom . The models they saw in Tampa suggested that small claims courts can do more than resolve disputes ; they can reshape the public ’ s perception of the legal system into something more approachable and humane .
For Tampa , the encounter offered a reminder that local judicial practices can resonate far beyond their immediate community . Residents of Hillsborough County might assume their small claims process is just a local solution to local problems . Yet here were visitors from the Southern Hemisphere , taking notes , asking questions , and gathering insights that might soon guide the shape of another nation ’ s judicial architecture . The quiet daily work of Tampa ’ s judges , lawyers , mediators , and clerks — people who devote themselves to making sure that even minor cases are handled fairly — now had the potential to influence legal reform a continent away .
As their visit concluded , the Chileans departed with more than just documents and scribbled notes in their folders . They left with a vision of what small claims justice could look like : efficient , empathetic , and grounded in a belief that everyone deserves a fair hearing , regardless of the size of their dispute . The letter of friendship they carried home served as an emblem of cooperation , a testament that judicial communities can learn from one another and that no single country holds a monopoly on good ideas .
In the months and years ahead , as Chile considers how to integrate these lessons into its constitution and as legislators debate the best ways to structure small claims procedures , the memory of Tampa ’ s system will provide a reference point . It will stand as proof that small claims don ’ t have to be messy , intimidating , or prohibitively expensive . Instead , they can be handled through a process that is as accessible as it is just .
If one day a Chilean citizen steps into a small claims courtroom and finds the experience measured , under - standable , and fair , some credit may trace back to those december days in Tampa . Two judges met , exchanged words of respect , and shared a letter that symbolized a friendship forged across distances and differences . In that quiet moment , seeds planted in Tampa ’ s small claims courtroom took root , poised to bear fruit in a more accessible justice system on the other side of the world . n
Author : Judge Michael Baggé- Hernández – Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court
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