§ 601. Applicability. (A) When the total compensation demanded by all
condemnees having an interest in a particular property being acquired is
twenty-five thousand dollars or less, exclusive of interest, a condemnee
may, within the time prescribed by section five hundred three of this
law, file a claim with the clerk of the court having jurisdiction over
the acquisition, and a copy of said claim upon the chief legal officer
of the condemnor, or upon such other official designated by the
condemnor to receive such service. This claim shall include a request to
the court to proceed in accordance with this article and describe
briefly the property to which the request relates and set forth the
amount of compensation demanded by the condemnee including a concise
statement of the basis therefor.

(B) The court shall view the property, and shall upon reasonable
notice to the condemnor and the condemnee, meet at a hearing with the
parties or representatives present and proceed in an informal manner to
hear proof concerning the amount of compensation due the condemnee.