(a) Upon the filing of an appeal from magistrate court to superior court or state court, the appeal shall be placed upon the court's next calendar for nonjury trial. Such appeals from the magistrate court to superior court or state court shall be tried by the superior court or state court without a jury unless either party files a demand for a jury trial within 30 days of the filing of the appeal or the court orders a jury trial.

(b) Upon filing an appeal pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section, the monetary limitations provided for in paragraph (5) of Code Section 15-10-2 shall no longer apply to any verdict and judgment entered by the superior or state court.