Kandice Anderson v. Natalie Smith

Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia ATLANTA,____________________ November 09, 2026 The Court of Appeals hereby passes the following order: A27A0775. KANDICE ANDERSON v. NATALIE SMITH. In this defamation action, defendant Kandice Anderson filed a pro se notice of appeal from a superior court order awarding the plaintiff $5,000 in damages. We lack jurisdiction. An appeal from an action for damages when the judgment is $10,000 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). Anderson’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,____________________ 11/09/2026 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.