Small claims courts are included in each state’s court system and are designed for the resolution of disputes involving a limited dollar amount—and for the parties to the dispute to represent themselves (pro se). Small claims courts are often referred to as the People’s Court, and some states such as California prohibit attorneys from representing parties in small claims court. The limit on the amount of money in dispute (the jurisdictional limit) varies from state to state within a range of $2,500 to $25,000—but is usually between $5,000 and $15,000. The disputes filed in small claims courts are often seeking to recover a debt or involving residential landlord-tenant disputes. Judges in small claims courts in some states are called Justices of the Peace, and the courts are sometimes referred to as JP courts.

In Connecticut, small claims courts are a division of the Superior Court system designed to handle minor civil disputes quickly and without the need for formal legal representation. The jurisdictional limit for small claims in Connecticut is $5,000, which means that the court can adjudicate cases where the amount in dispute does not exceed this figure. While parties are allowed to represent themselves (pro se) in small claims court, they are also permitted to have an attorney represent them if they choose. The types of cases typically heard in Connecticut's small claims courts include, but are not limited to, recovery of debts, property damage, and landlord-tenant disputes. The proceedings are less formal than in other courts, and the goal is to provide an accessible, efficient avenue for individuals to resolve their legal issues.