Pennsylvania Small Claims Court
Pennsylvania small claims court sees business entities and individuals who are involved in legal disputes of less than $8,000 in value ($10,000 in Philadelphia). The PA small claims court system was designed to deal with cases that involve small dollar sums in an informal, simplified, and streamlined process that eliminates hassle and expense for all parties.
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UPDATED: Jul 15, 2023
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UPDATED: Jul 15, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right legal decisions.
We strive to help you make confident insurance and legal decisions. Finding trusted and reliable insurance quotes and legal advice should be easy. This doesn’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own.
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Business entities and individuals who are involved in legal disputes of less than $8,000 in value ($10,000 in Philadelphia) should file their lawsuit in Pennsylvania small claims court. This court system was designed to deal with cases that involve small dollar sums in an informal, simplified, and streamlined process that eliminates hassle and expense for all parties. The small claims system handles issues such as personal injury, property damage, landlord/tenant disputes, unpaid debts, and contract issues. They do not handle cases of criminal matters.
You do not need an attorney to file a Pennsylvania small claim, though you may hire one if you choose. Corporations must be represented by an attorney except in special cases. Both individuals and business entities (partnerships, companies, corporations) may file a small claim in Pennsylvania or be sued in small claims court.
What is Pennsylvania’s claims limit?
Pennsylvania limits small claims to amounts under $10,000 in Philadelphia and $8,000 elsewhere in the state.
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Where do you file your small claim?
Where to file your small claim in Pennsylvania depends on where you live in the state. Philadelphia residents should file in the Philadelphia Municipal Court, while other residents should file in their local District Court. In any case, the plaintiff (the person initiating the lawsuit) should file the suit where the claims defendant (the person being sued in small claims court) lives, or where the injury in question occurred.
How are cases handled in PA?
District Courts have limitations in real estate-related cases. However, all small claims courts handle issues of breach of contract, property damage, personal injury, and disputes over money and property. While most Pennsylvania residents are limited to cases under $8,000 in value, Philadelphia residents may file for amounts up to $10,000.
Who can file?
Business entities and individuals over the age of 18 are qualified to file small claims lawsuits in Pennsylvania. Children who have not yet reached legal age cannot file themselves; they must have a parent or guardian file the lawsuit on their behalf.
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How do you file?
Filing procedures depend on the court in question. Go to the courthouse and ask for small claims forms. You will fill out a complaint that lays out the contact information for both parties, the facts of the lawsuit in question, and any supporting documentation such as receipts or contracts. If you are claiming more than $2,500 for property or personal damage in Philadelphia, you will need to file a verified statement of claim in addition to your complaint. After paying a small filing fee, you will be given a claims hearing date and told to send copies of the complaint to the party being sued via certified or registered mail, sheriff or process server.
You must file within the statute of limitations for your particular hearing.
How can you get legal help with Pennsylvania small claims?
You may not be able to rely on employees of the court (like the court clerk) or law librarians for legal advice on how to get your desired judgment. These individuals may be restricted by state laws and/or court rules from giving legal advice to specific litigants. If you have questions about which complaint forms to file or legal strategies to pursue, you may wish to hire an experienced Pennsylvania small claims attorney, contact the Pennsylvania Bar Association , or get in touch with a legal aid society like the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network , which provides free or low-cost legal advice.
For more state-specific information and links to your state’s small claims court resources, see Small Claims Court Information and Links.
Case Studies: Resolving Legal Disputes in Pennsylvania Small Claims Court
Case Study 1: Personal Injury Dispute
John, a Pennsylvania resident, filed a small claim against Sarah, seeking compensation for injuries sustained in a car accident. The small claims court process provided a simplified and efficient way for both parties to present their arguments, resulting in a fair resolution without the need for extensive legal representation.
Case Study 2: Landlord/Tenant Dispute
Mark, a landlord, and Sarah, a tenant, engaged in a small claims court process to resolve a disagreement over unpaid rent and property damage. By utilizing the informal and streamlined nature of the court, they were able to present their cases effectively and achieve a satisfactory resolution in a timely manner.
Case Study 3: Contract Disagreement
John, a small business owner, and Mark, an individual contractor, turned to Pennsylvania small claims court to settle a contract dispute. The simplified process allowed them to present their arguments and evidence, leading to a resolution that met both parties’ needs without the burden of a lengthy and costly lawsuit.
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Mary Martin
Published Legal Expert
Mary Martin has been a legal writer and editor for over 20 years, responsible for ensuring that content is straightforward, correct, and helpful for the consumer. In addition, she worked on writing monthly newsletter columns for media, lawyers, and consumers. Ms. Martin also has experience with internal staff and HR operations. Mary was employed for almost 30 years by the nationwide legal publi...
Published Legal Expert
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about legal topics and insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything legal and insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by experts.