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 Illinois, small claims courts are a division of the Circuit Courts and are designed to handle disputes involving claims of $10,000 or less. Parties in small claims court in Illinois are allowed to represent themselves (pro se), but they are also permitted to have an attorney represent them. The process is intended to be simpler and more informal than in other court proceedings, which allows for a quicker resolution of disputes. Common types of cases in Illinois small claims courts include those seeking to recover debts, property damage, and landlord-tenant disputes, among others. While judges preside over these cases, they are not referred to as Justices of the Peace in Illinois, as that designation is not used within the state's judicial system.