Minnesota Conciliation Court Power of Attorney: Form CCT701 and Corporate Representation

When a business — an LLC, corporation, or partnership — has a case in Minnesota Conciliation Court, the business cannot just send whoever happens to be free that afternoon. Strict rules govern who can appear on behalf of a business entity, and showing up without the right paperwork can mean losing by default.

Who Can Represent a Business

Under Minnesota General Rule of Practice 512(d), a business entity may be represented in Conciliation Court by:

• An officer, manager, or partner
• A natural-person employee appointed by the business
• For certain condominium, cooperative, or townhouse associations, an authorized agent; commercial property managers have additional licensing and authority requirements

Choose someone who knows the facts and can show the authority the business gave them. A witness who testifies about an event must have personal knowledge of it.

Form CCT701: Power of Attorney for Conciliation Court

The representative must show proof of authority, filed with the claim or presented at trial. Form CCT701 is one option; Rule 512(d) also accepts a corporate authorization resolution, bylaws, or other evidence of authority the court accepts.

If the representative cannot show acceptable proof of authority, the judge may not allow them to represent the business. The business could then be left without an authorized representative at the hearing.

Prepare the authority document well before the hearing date. Do not assume you can explain the situation and get a pass.

What About Attorneys?

Parties may be represented by a lawyer in Conciliation Court. Under General Rule of Practice 512(d), the judge decides the extent and manner of the lawyer's participation based on what the judge considers helpful.

This applies to both sides. A business may also appear through a representative allowed by Rule 512(d), with acceptable proof of that person's authority.

Sole Proprietors Are Different

If you run a sole proprietorship (no LLC, no incorporation), you are the business. You appear as yourself — no Form CCT701 needed. The case names you personally: "Jane Doe, individually, d/b/a Doe's Consulting."

Practical Steps for Business Owners

1. Decide who will appear — choose an officer, manager, or partner, or appoint a natural-person employee; a qualified commercial property manager may also appear in tenant disputes
2. Prepare proof of authority — Form CCT701 is one option; a corporate authorization resolution, bylaws, or other evidence acceptable to the court also works
3. Brief the representative on the timeline, the documents, and the dollar amounts
4. Bring three copies of your authority document and paper evidence (one for the judge, one for the opposing party, one for your file). Submit and share digital exhibits through MNDES at least three days before trial.

If your company is the plaintiff, the representative must also be prepared to testify under oath about the claim. If the company is the defendant, the representative should know the company's position and any counterclaim.

For a complete walkthrough of the Minnesota Conciliation Court process — including filing, service, and hearing preparation — see the Filing a Small Claims Case in Minnesota guide.

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