Full Opinion

Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia ATLANTA,____________________ October 08, 2026 The Court of Appeals hereby passes the following order: A27A0545. JEREMY HILLEY v. PORTFOLIO RECOVERY ASSOCIATES, LLC. Portfolio Recovery Associates sued Jeremy Hilley in magistrate court to collect money allegedly owed on a credit account. Following an adverse ruling awarding Portfolio $3,748.76 , Hilley filed a petition for review in superior court , which affirmed the magistrate court’s ruling. Hilley then appealed directly to this Court. We lack jurisdiction. An appeal from a superior court decision reviewing a lower court decision must be initiated by filing an application for discretionary review. OCGA § 5-6-35(a)(1), (b); Bullock v. Sand, 260 Ga. App. 874, 875 (581 SE2d 333) (2003). Further, an appeal from an action for damages when the judgment is $10,000.00 or less must be initiated by filing an application for discretionary review. OCGA § 5-6-35(a)(6), (b); Jennings v. Moss, 235 Ga. App. 357, 357 (509 SE2d 655) (1998). “Compliance with the discretionary appeals procedure is jurisdictional.” Smoak v. Dep’t of Human Res., 221 Ga. App. 257, 257 (471 SE2d 60) (1996). Hilley’s failure to follow the proper procedure deprives us of jurisdiction over this direct appeal, which is hereby DISMISSED. Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia Clerk’s Office, Atlanta,____________________ 10/08/2026 I certify that the above is a true extract from the minutes of the Court of Appeals of Georgia. Witness my signature and the seal of said court hereto affixed the day and year last above written. , Clerk.