Small Claims Court

Small-claims courts have limited jurisdiction to hear civil cases between private litigants. Courts authorized to try small claims may also have other judicial functions and go by different names in different jurisdictions. Small claims court is a special court where disputes are resolved quickly and inexpensively. In small claims court, the rules are simplified, and the hearing is informal. Attorneys are generally not allowed. The person who files the claim is called the plaintiff. The person against whom the claim is filed against is called the defendant. They are also called claimants or parties.