ABA Family Legal Guide

How the Legal System Works

Mediation and Small-Claims Court

Small-Claims Court

What is small-claims court?

All states have these special courts, most often known as small-claims courts, but sometimes called magistrate court, justice of the peace court, or pro se court. As suggested by their title, small-claims courts are available only to resolve disputes involving small claims for money. The jurisdictional limits of small-claims courts may range from a few hundred dollars in some states to thousands of dollars in others. The popular TV program The People's Court is an example of the comparatively informal, quick justice provided by small-claims courts.