§ 10-16-14 - Appeals by defendant. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 10-16-14

   § 10-16-14  Appeals by defendant. –(a) The defendant, if aggrieved by the decision of the district court in acause brought under the provisions of this chapter, shall have the same rightof appeal, and under the same terms and conditions, as are provided under thepractice in ordinary civil actions in district courts.

   (b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in cases in which theplaintiff is the purchaser of a consumer product seeking to recover damagesagainst the seller and/or manufacturer of that product, if the defendant isdefaulted for failure to answer and defend the claim, the judgment of thedistrict court shall be final. In such event, the defendant shall be deemed tohave forfeited all rights to appeal and shall not be entitled to a trial denovo in superior court.