Section 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.