amendments to title 16

amendments to title 16 Sec. 145. (a) Chapter 3 of title 16, District of Columbia Code, is amended as follows: (1) Section 16–301 is amended— (A) by striking out “Domestic Relations Branch of the District of Columbia Court, of General Sessions” in subsection (a) and inserting in lieu thereof “Superior Court of the District of Columbia”; and (B) by striking out “Commissioners” in subsection (b)(3) and inserting in lieu thereof “Commissioner”. (2) Sections 16–304, 16–305, 16–307, and 16–314 are each amended by striking out “Board of Commissioners” and “Board” each place they appear and inserting in lieu thereof “Commissioner”. (b) Chapter 5 of title 16, District of Columbia Code, is amended as follows: (1) Sections 16–501 and 16–502 are each amended by striking out “District of Columbia Court of General Sessions” and inserting in lieu thereof “Superior Court of the District of Columbia”. (2) Sections 16–516 and 16–549 are each amended by striking out “Probate Court” and inserting in lieu thereof “Superior Court”. (3) (A) Sections 16–533 and 16–578 are each amended (i) by striking out “District of Columbia Court of General Sessions” and inserting in lieu thereof “Superior Court of the District of Columbia”, and (ii) by striking out “Court of General Sessions” in the section heading and inserting in lieu thereof “Superior Court”. (B) The items relating to such sections in the analysis of chapter 5 are each amended by striking out “Court of General Sessions” and inserting in lieu thereof “Superior Court”. (4) Section 16–578 is amended (A) by striking out “docketed in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia” and inserting in lieu thereof “filed and recorded”, (B) by striking out “six years” and inserting in lieu thereof “twelve years”, and (C) by striking out “section 15–132(a)” and inserting in lieu thereof “section 15–101”. (5) Section 16–581 is amended by striking out “District of Columbia Court of General Sessions” and inserting in lieu thereof “Superior Court of the District of Columbia”. (c) Section 16–601 of the District of Columbia Code is amended— (1) by striking out “, or a judge thereof,” in the first sentence of the first paragraph and inserting in lieu thereof “or the Superior Court of the District of Columbia,”, and (2) by striking out “has” in the first sentence of the second paragraph and inserting in lieu thereof the following: “(as specified in section 11–501) and the Superior Court of the District of Columbia (as specified insertion 11–921) have”. (d) Chapter 7 of title 16, District of Columbia Code, is amended as follows: (1) Section 16–7(11 is amended to read as follows: “§ 16–701. Rules and regulations “The Superior Court may make such rules and regulations for conducting business in the Criminal Division of the court, consistent with statutes applicable to such business and in the manner provided in section 11–946, as it may deem necessary and proper.” (2) (A) Section 16–702 is amended to read as follows: “§ 16–702. Prosecution by indictment or information “An offense prosecuted in the Superior Court which may be punished by death shall be prosecuted by indictment returned by a grand jury. An offense which may be punished by imprisonment for a term 84 Stat. 556exceeding one year shall be prosecuted by indictment, but it may be prosecuted by information if the defendant, after he has been advised of the nature of the charge and of Ms rights, waives in open court, prosecution by indictment. Any other offense may be prosecuted by indictment or by information. An information subscribed by the proper prosecuting officer may be filed without leave of court.” (B) The item relating to section 16–702 in the analysis of chapter 7 is amended to read as follows: “16–702. Prosecution by indictment or information.” (3) Section 16–703 is amended to read as follows: “§ 16–703. Process of Criminal Division; fees “(a) The Criminal Division of the Superior Court may issue process for the arrest of a person against whom an indictment is returned, an information is filed, or a complaint under oath is made. “(b) Process shall— “(1) be under the seal of the court; “(2) bear teste in the name of a judge of the court, and “(3) be signed by a clerk or employee of the court authorized to administer oaths. “(c) In cases arising out of violations of any of the ordinances of the District of Columbia, process shall be directed to the Chief of Police, who shall execute the process and make return thereof in like manner as in other cases. “(d) In all other criminal cases, the process issued by the Superior Court may be directed to the United States marshal or to the Chief of Police. “(e) For services pursuant to subsection (d) of this section the marshal shall receive the fees prescribed by section 15–709(b)(2).” (4) Section 16–705 is amended to read as follows: “§ 16–705. Jury trial; trial by court “(a) In a criminal case tried in the Superior Court in which, according to the Constitution of the United States, the defendant is entitled to a jury trial, the trial shall be by jury, unless the defendant in open court expressly waives trial by jury and requests trial by the court, and the court and the prosecuting officer consent thereto. In the case of a trial without a jury, the trial shall be by a single judge, whose verdict shall have the same force and effect as that of a jury. “(b) In any case where the defendant is not under the Constitution of the United States entitled to a trial by jury, the trial shall be by a single judge without a jury, except that if— “(1) the case involves an offense which is punishable by a fine or penalty of more than $300 or by imprisonment for more than ninety days (or for more than six months in the case of the offense of contempt of court), and “(2) the defendant demands a trial by jury and does not subsequently waive a trial by jury in accordance with subsection (a), the trial shall be by jury. “(c) The jury shall consist of twelve persons, unless the parties, with the approval of the court, and in the manner provided by rules of the court, agree to a number less than twelve.” (5) Section 16–706 is amended to read as follows: “§ 16–706. Enforcement of judgments; commitment upon nonpayment of fine “The Superior Court may enforce any of its judgments rendered in criminal cases by fine or imprisonment, or both. Except as otherwise provided by law, and subject to the relief provided in section 3569 of title 18, United States Code, in any case where the court imposes a 84 Stat. 557fine, the court may, in the event of default, in the payment of the fine imposed, commit the defendant for a term not to exceed one year.” (6) Sections 16–704, 16–707, 16–709, and 16–710 are each amended by striking out “Court, of General Sessions” and “District of Columbia Court of Genera] Sessions” wherever they appear and inserting in lieu thereof “Superior Court of the District of Columbia”. (7) The heading of chapter 7 is amended by striking out “COURT OF GENERAL SESSIONS” and inserting in lieu thereof “SUPERIOR COURT”. (e) Chapter 9 of title 16, District of Columbia Code, is amended as follows: (1) Section 16–901 is amended by striking out “Domestic. Relations Branch of the District, of Columbia Court of General Sessions” and inserting in lieu thereof “Superior Court of the District of Columbia”. (2) (A) Section 16–916 is amended— (i) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d) and by adding after subsection (b) the following new subsection: “(c) Whenever any father or mother shall fail to maintain his or her minor child or children, the court may decree that he or she shall pay reasonable sums periodically for the support and maintenance of his or her child or children, and the court may decree that the father or mother pay court costs, including counsel fees, to enable plaintiff to conduct the cases.”, and (ii) by amending the section heading to read as follows: “§ 16–916. Maintenance of wife and minor children; maintenance of former wife; maintenance of minor children; enforcement”. (B) The item relating to section 16–916 m the analysis of chapter 9 is amended to read as follows: “16–916. Maintenance of wife and minor children; maintenance of former wife; maintenance of minor children; enforcement.” (3) (A) Section 16–918 is amended to read as follows: “§ 16–918. Appointment of counsel; compensation “(a) In all uncontested divorce cases, and in any other divorce or annulment case where the court deems it necessary or proper, a disinterested attorney shall be appointed by the court to enter his appearance for the defendant and actively defend the cause. “(b) In any proceeding wherein the custody of a child is in question, the court may appoint a disinterested attorney to appear on behalf of the child and represent his best interests. “(c) An attorney appointed under this section may receive such compensation for his services as the court determines to be proper, which the court may direct to be paid by the parties.” (B) The item relating to section 16–918 in the analysis of chapter 9 is amended to read as follows: “16–918. Appointment of counsel; compensation.” (f) Chapter 13 of title 16, District of Columbia Code, is amended as follows: (1) Section 16–1301 is amended to read as follows: “§ 16–1301. Jurisdiction of District Court “The United States District Court for the District of Columbia has exclusive jurisdiction of all proceedings for the condemnation of real property authorized by subchapters IV and V of this chapter, with full power to hear and determine all issues of law and fact that may arise in the proceedings.” (2) Subchapter I is amended by adding at the end thereof the following new section: 84 Stat. 558 “§ 16–1303. Jurisdiction of Superior Court “The Superior Court of the District of Columbia has jurisdiction of all proceedings for the condemnation of real property authorized by subchapters II and III of this chapter with full power to hear and determine all issues of law and fact that may arise in the proceedings.” (3) Section 16–1311 is amended— (A) by striking out “Board of Commissioners” and inserting in lieu thereof “Commissioner”, (B) by striking out “United States District Court for the District of Columbia” and inserting in lieu thereof “Superior Court”, (C) by striking out “name of the Board” and inserting in lieu thereof “name of the District of Columbia”, and (D) by striking out “Board of Commissioners” in the heading and inserting in lieu thereof “District of Columbia”. (4) Section 16–1312 is amended to read as follows: “§ 16–1312. Juries for condemnation proceedings “For purposes of this subchapter, a special jury list shall be prepared of not less than one hundred persons who are qualified jurors in the District of Columbia. When a jury is required for a condemnation proceeding under this subchapter, the names of such number of persons as may be necessary shall be selected from this list by lot and furnished to the Superior Court.” (5) Section 16–1314(a) is amended by striking out “members of the Board of Commissioners” in the first sentence and inserting in lieu thereof “Commissioner”, and by striking out “Commissioners” in paragraph (5) of the second sentence and inserting in lieu thereof “Commissioner”. (6) The third sentence of section 16–1318 is amended to read as follows: “If the appraisement is vacated and set aside, the court shall order the necessary number of new persons selected from the special jury list and, from among the persons so selected, shall appoint, a new jury of five capable and disinterested persons who shall proceed as in the case of the first jury.” (7) Sections 16–1319, 16–1321 and 16–1336 are each amended by striking out “Board of Commissioners” and inserting in lieu thereof “Commissioner”. (8) Section 16–1331 is amended by striking out “Board of Commissioners of the District of Columbia, and agencies of the United States authorized by law to acquire real property,” and inserting in lieu thereof “Commissioner of the District of Columbia”. (9) Section 16–1332 is amended by striking out “Board of Commissioners of the District of Columbia and agencies of the United States authorized by law to acquire real property” in subsection (a) and inserting in lieu thereof “Commissioner of the District of Columbia”, and by striking out “, and where the property sold was acquired under an appropriation authorized for the use of the District of Columbia, moneys received from the sale shall be deposited in the Treasury” in subsection (c). (10) Section 16–1334 is amended by striking out “or the United States” wherever it appears. (11) Section 16–1337 is repealed and section 16–1338 is redesignated as 16–1337. (12) The first sentence of section 16–1357 is amended to read as follows: “When the date for trial has been set, as provided by section 16–1356, the court shall order the names of a number of persons, not 84 Stat. 559less than twenty, selected from the special jury list provided by section 16–1312, and the names of the persons selected shall be certified to the clerk of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia as a panel of prospective jurors.” (13) Chapter 13 is amended by adding at the end thereof the following new subchapter: “SUBCHAPTER V.— EXCESS PROPERTY FOR THE UNITED STATES “§ 16–1381. Acquisition of property in excess of needs “In order to promote the orderly and proper development of the seat of government of the United States, agencies of the United States authorized by law to acquire real property, may acquire, in the public interest, by gift, dedication, exchange, purchase, or condemnation fee simple title to land (or rights in or on land or easements or restrictions therein) within the District of Columbia for public uses, works, and improvements authorized by Congress, in excess of that actually needed for and essential to their usefulness, in order to preserve the view, appearance, light, and air and to enhance their usefulness, to prevent the use of private property adjacent to them in such a manner as to impair the public benefit derived from the construction thereof, or to prevent inequities or hardships to the owners of adjacent private property by depriving them of the beneficial use of their property. “§ 16–1382. Retention, for public use, of excess property “When the authorities of the United States having jurisdiction of real property (or rights or easements) acquired pursuant to this subchapter, elect to retain any of them for the use of the United States, they may use the property (or rights or easements) for park, playground, highway, or alley purposes, or for any other lawful purposes that they deem advantageous or in the public interest. “§ 16–1383. Availability of appropriations for purchases of excess property “When real property is purchased pursuant to this subchapter in excess of that needed for a particular project or improvement, appropriations available for the payment of the purchase price, costs, and expenses incident to the project or improvement may be used in the payment of the purchase price, costs, find expenses of excess real property purchased in connection with the project or improvement, as provided by this subchapter. “§ 16–1384. Condemnation of excess real property by United States agencies; payment of awards, damages and costs “(a) When excess real property is condemned by agencies of the United States as provided by this subchapter, the condemnation proceedings for the acquisition of the property shall be in accordance with subchapter IV of this chapter, or any laws in effect at the time of the commencement of condemnation proceedings for the acquisition of real property in the District of Columbia for the use of the United States. “(b) Appropriations available for the condemnation of property pursuant to subchapter IV of this chapter may be used in the payment of awards, damages, and costs in condemnation proceedings pursuant to that subchapter for the acquisition of excess real property as provided in this subchapter. 84 Stat. 560 “§ 16–1385. Construction of subchapter “This subchapter does not repeal any provisions of existing law pertaining to the condemnation or acquisition of streets, alleys, or land, or the laws relating to the subdividing of lands in the District of Columbia.” (14) The analysis of chapter 13 is amended— (A) by adding after the item relating to section 16–1302 the following: “16–1303. Jurisdiction of Superior Court.”; (B) by amending the item relating to section 16–1311 to read as follows: “16–1311. Condemnation proceedings by District of Columbia.”; (C) by amending the item relating to section 16–1312 to read as follows: “16–1312. Juries for condemnation proceedings.”; (D) by striking out the item relating to section 16–1337 and by striking out “16–1338” and inserting in lieu thereof “16–1337”; and (E) by adding at the end thereof: “SUBCHAPTER V— EXCESS PROPERTY FOR THE UNITED STATES “Sec. “16–1381. Acquisition of property in excess of needs. “16–1382. Retention, for public use, of excess property. “16–1383. Availability of appropriations for purchases of excess property. “16–1384. Condemnation of excess real property by United States agencies; payment of awards, damages and costs. “16–1385. Construction of subchapter.” (g) Chapter 15 of title 16, District of Columbia Code, is amended as follows: (1) Sections 16–1501 and 16–1505 are each amended by striking out “District of Columbia Court of General Sessions” and inserting in lieu thereof “Superior Court of the District of Columbia.” (2) Section 16–1504 and the item relating to that section in the analysis of chapter 15 are repealed. (h) (1) Section 16–1901 of title 16, District of Columbia Code, is amended— (A) by striking out “the United States District Court for the District of Columbia” in the first sentence and inserting in lieu thereof “the appropriate court”; (B) by inserting “(a)” immediately before “A person” and by adding after and below the last sentence the following new subsections: “(b) Petitions for writs directed to Federal officers and employees shall be filed in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. “(c) Petitions for writs directed to any other person shall be filed in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.”: and (C) by striking out “to District Court” in the section heading. (2) The item relating to section 16–1901 in the analysis of chapter 19 of title 16 is amended by striking out “to District Court”. (i) Section 16–2501 of tide 16, District of Columbia Code, is amended by striking out “United States District Court for the District of Columbia” and inserting in lieu thereof “Superior Court”. (j) The second paragraph of section 16–2701 of title 16, District of Columbia Code, is amended by striking out “United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit” and inserting in lieu thereof “appellate court”. 84 Stat. 561 (k) Chapter 29 of title 16 of the District of Columbia Code is amended as follows: (1) Sections 16–2901 and 16–2921 are each amended by striking out “United States District Court for the District of Columbia” and inserting in lieu thereof “Superior Court of the District of Columbia”. (2) Section 16–2901(d) is amended by striking out “section 21–213” and inserting in lieu thereof “sections 21–146 and 21–704”. (3) Sections 16–2923, 16–2924, and 16–2925 are each amended by striking out “District Court” and inserting in lieu thereof “court”. (l) Chapter 31 of title 16, District of Columbia Code, is amended us follows: (1) Section 16–3101 is amended to read as follows: “§ 16–3101. Definition “As used in this chapter, the term ‘Probate Court’ means the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.” (2) Sections 16–3103, 16–3105, and 16–3106 are each amended by striking out “powers of enforcement and punishment as provided by section 401 of title 18, United States Code” and inserting in lieu thereof “contempt power”. (3) Section 16–3104(b) is amended by striking out. “to the United States”. (m) Section 16–3301 of title 16 of the District of Columbia Code is amended by striking out “United States District. Court for the District of Columbia” and inserting in lieu thereof “Superior Court, of the District of Columbia”. (n) Chapter 35 of title 16, District of Columbia Code, is amended to read as follows: “Chapter 35.— QUO WARRANTO “SUBCHAPTER I.— ACTIONS AGAINST OFFICERS OF THE UNITED STATES “Sec. “16–3501. Persons against whom issued; civil action. “16–3502. Parties who may institute; ex rel, proceedings. “16–3503. Refusal of Attorney General or United States attorney to act; procedure. “SUBCHAPTER II.— ACTIONS AGAINST OFFICERS OR CORPORATIONS OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA “16–3521. Persons against whom Issued; civil action. “16–3522. Parties who may institute; ex rel. proceedings. “16–3523. Refusal of United States attorney or Corporation Counsel to act; procedures. “SUBCHAPTER III.— PROCEDURES AND JUDGMENTS “16–3541. Allegations in petition of relator claiming office. “16–3542. Notice to defendant. “16–3543. Proceedings on default. “16–3544. Pleading: jury trial. “16–3545. Verdict and judgment. “16–3546. Usurping corporate franchise: judgment. “16–3547. Proceedings against corporate directors and trustees; judgment and order: enforcement. “16–3548. Recovery of damages from usurper; limitation. 84 Stat. 562 “SUBCHAPTER I.— ACTIONS AGAINST OFFICERS OF THE UNITED STATES “§ 16–3501. Persons against whom issued; civil action “A quo warranto may be issued from the United States District Court for the District of Columbia in the name of the United States against a person who within the District of Columbia usurps, intrudes into, or unlawfully holds or exercises, a franchise conferred by the United States or a public office of the United States, civil or military. The proceedings shall be deemed a civil action. “§ 16–3502. Parties who may institute; ex rel. proceedings “The Attorney General of the United States or the United States attorney may institute a proceeding pursuant to this subchapter on his own motion or on the relation of a third person. The writ may not be issued on the relation of a third person except by leave of the court, to be applied for by the relator, by a petition duly verified setting forth the grounds of the application, or until the relator files a bond with sufficient surety, to be approved by the clerk of the court, in such penalty as the court prescribes, conditioned on the payment by him of all costs incurred in the prosecution of the writ if costs are not recovered from and paid by the defendant. “§ 16–3503. Refusal of Attorney General or United States attorney to act; procedure “If the Attorney General or United States attorney refuses to institute a quo warranto proceeding on the request of a person interested, the interested person may apply to the court by certified petition for leave to have the writ issued. When, in the opinion of the court, the reasons set forth in the petition are sufficient in law, the writ shall be allowed to be issued by any attorney, in the name of the United States, on the relation of the interested person on his compliance with the condition prescribed by section 16–3502 as to security for costs. “SUBCHAPTER II.— ACTIONS AGAINST OFFICERS OR CORPORATIONS OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA “§ 16–3521. Persons against whom issued; civil action “A quo warranto may be issued from the Superior Court of the District of Columbia in the name of the District of Columbia against— “(1) a person who within the District of Columbia usurps, intrudes into, or unlawfully holds or exercises, a franchise conferred by the District of Columbia, a public office of the District of Columbia, civil or military, or an office in a domestic corporation; or “(2) one or more persons who act as a corporation within the District of Columbia without being duly authorized, or exercise within the District of Columbia corporate rights, privileges, or franchises not granted them by law in force in the District of Columbia. The proceedings shall be deemed a civil action. “§ 16–3522. Parties who may institute; ex rel. proceedings “The United States attorney or the Corporation Counsel may institute a proceeding pursuant to this subchapter on his own motion, or on the relation of a third person. The writ may not be issued on the relation of a third person except by leave of the court, to be applied for by the relator, by a petition duly verified, setting forth the grounds of the application, or until the relator files a bond with sufficient surety, to 84 Stat. 563be approved by the clerk of the court, in such penalty as the court prescribes, conditioned on the payment by him of all costs incurred in the prosecution of the writ if costs are not recovered from and paid by the defendant. “§ 16–3523. Refusal of United States attorney or Corporation Counsel to act; procedures “If the United States attorney or Corporation Counsel refuses to institute a quo warranto proceeding on the request of a person interested, the interested person may apply to the court by certified petition for leave to have the writ issued. When, in the opinion of the court, the reasons set forth in the petition are sufficient in law, the writ shall be allowed to be issued by any attorney, in the name of the District of Columbia, on the relation of the interested person, on his compliance with the conditions prescribed by section 16–3522 as to security for costs. “SUBCHAPTER III.— PROCEDURES AND JUDGMENTS “§ 16–3541. Allegations in petition of relator claiming office “When a quo warranto proceeding is against a person for usurping an office, on the relation of a person claiming the same office, the relator shall set forth in his petition the facts upon which he claims to Ire entitled to the office. “§ 16–3542. Notice to defendant “On the issuing of a writ of quo warranto the court may fix a time within which the defendant may appear and answer the writ. When the defendant cannot be found in the District, of Columbia, the court may direcl notice to be given to him by publication as in other cases of proceedings against nonresident defendants, and upon proof of publication, if the defendant does not appear, judgment may be rendered as if he had been personally served. “§ 16–3543. Proceedings on default “If the defendant does not appear as required by a writ of quo warranto, after being served, the court may proceed to hear proof in support of the writ and render judgment accordingly. “§ 16–3544. Pleading; jury trial “In a quo warranto proceeding, the defendant may demur, plead specially, or plead “not guilt” as the genera] issue, and the United States or the District of Columbia, as the case may lie, may reply as in other actions of a civil character. Issues of fact shall be tried by a jury of either party requests it. Otherwise they shall be determined by the court. “§ 16–3545. Verdict and judgment “Where a defendent in a quo warranto proceeding is found by the jury to have usurped, intruded into, or unlawfully held or exercised an office or franchise, the verdict shall be that he is guilty of the act or acts in question, and judgment shall be rendered that he be ousted and excluded therefrom mid that the relator recover his costs. “§ 16–3546. Usurping corporate franchise; judgment “Where a quo warranto proceeding is against persons acting as a corporation without being legally incorporated, the judgment against the defendants shall be that they be perpetually restrained and enjoined from the commission or continuance of the acts complained of. 84 Stat. 564 “§ 16–3547. Proceedings against corporate directors and trustees; judgment and order; enforcement “Where a quo warranto proceeding is against a director or trustee of a corporation and the court finds tit at at his election either illegal votes were received or legal votes rejected, or both, sufficient to change the result if the error is corrected, the court may render judgment that the defendant be ousted, and that the relator, if entitled to be declared elected, be admitted to the office, and the court may issue an order to the proper parties, being officers or members of the corporation, to admit him to the office. The judgment may require the defendant to deliver to the relator all books, papers, and other things in his custody or control pertaining to the office, and obedience to judgment may be enforced by attachment. “§ 16–3548. Recovery of damages from usurper; limitation “At any time within a year from a judgment in a quo warranto proceeding, the relator may bring an action against the party ousted and recover the damages sustained by the relator by reason of the ousted party’s usurpation of the office to which the relator was entitled.” (o) Chapter 37 of title 16 of the District of Columbia Code is amended— (1) by repealing subchapter II; (2) by striking out the heading “SUBCHAPTER I.—GENERAL PROVISIONS”; and (3) by striking out the items relating to subchapter II in the chapter analysis and by striking out “subchapter i.—general provisions” in that analysis. (p) Chapter 39 of title 16 of the District of Columbia Code is amended as follows: (1) The chapter heading is amended by striking out “COURT OF GENERAL SESSIONS” and inserting in lieu thereof “SUPERIOR COURT”. (2) Section 16–3901 is amended to read as follows: “§ 16–3901. Practice; applicability of other laws and rules of court “All provisions of law relating to the Superior Court, of the District of Columbia and the miles of the court apply to the Small Claims and Conciliation Branch of the court as far as they may be applicable and are not in conflict with this chapter or chapter 13 of title 11. In ease of conflict, this chapter and chapter 13 of title 11 control.” (3) Section 16–3902 is amended— (A) by striking out “of the District of Columbia Court of General Sessions” in subsection (a); and (B) by striking out “District of Columbia Court of General Sessions” and “Court of General Sessions” in the form prescribed by subsection (e) and inserting in lieu thereof “Superior Court of the District of Columbia”. (4) Sections 16–3903 and 16–3905 are each amended by striking out “of the District of Columbia Court of General Sessions”. (5) The third sentence of section 16–3904 is amended to read as follows: “When the set-off or counterclaim is for more than the jurisdictional limit of the Small Claims and Conciliation Branch, as provided by section 11–1321, but within the jurisdiction of the Superior Court, the action shall nevertheless remain in the Branch and be tried therein in its entirety.” (6) Section 16–3907 is amended by striking out “District of Columbia Court of General Sessions” and inserting in lieu thereof “Superior Court of the District of Columbia”, 84 Stat. 565 (7) Section 16–3910 is amended by striking out “, or the rules prescribed pursuant to section 13–101(c)” and inserting in lieu thereof “or the rules of the court” and by striking out “of the District of Columbia Court of General Sessions”,