"Appeals from decisions of the superior courts reviewing decisions of . . . lower courts by certiorari or de novo proceedings . . ." shall be by application for discretionary appeal. OCGA 5-6-35 (a) (1), (b). "The clear intent of section (a) (1), above, was to give the appellate courts (particularly the Court of Appeals . . .) the discretion not to entertain an appeal where the superior court had reviewed a decision of certain specified lower tribunals (i.e., two tribunals had already adjudicated the case)." C & S Nat. Bank v. Rayle, 246 Ga. 727, 730 (273 SE2d 139). In the case sub judice, the judgment of the superior court entered on the jury verdict after a trial de novo represents review of lower court proceedings, i.e., the judgment of the magistrate court, and requires an application to this court for permission to pursue a discretionary appeal. Moreover, this final judgment awards contractual damages in an amount less than $10,000, and so would require an application for discretionary appeal pursuant to OCGA 5-6-35 (a) (6). " 'Because the appeal to this Court is taken from the decision of a [superior] court reviewing a decision of a magistrate court by a de novo proceeding involving a subject matter not otherwise subject to a right of direct appeal, the discretionary appeal procedures of OCGA 5-6-35 were required and this appeal must be dismissed. (Cit.); OCGA 5-6-35 (a) ([1]).' Lewis v. Barclays American/Mortgage Corp., 204 Ga. App. 227 (419 SE2d 538) (1992)." Crowder v. Citizens Trust Bank, 213 Ga. App. 477 (444 SE2d 853).