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 Massachusetts, small claims courts are a division of the District Court system designed to provide an informal and simplified procedure for individuals to resolve civil disputes involving small amounts of money, typically without the need for an attorney. The jurisdictional limit for small claims in Massachusetts is $7,000, excluding interest and costs. This means that the amount in dispute must not exceed $7,000, which is within the common range for small claims courts across the United States. Small claims courts in Massachusetts handle a variety of cases, such as those seeking to recover debts, property damage, and landlord-tenant disputes, among others. While parties are generally expected to represent themselves (pro se), they are not prohibited from having an attorney. However, the process is designed to be straightforward enough that legal representation is often not necessary. The judges presiding over these cases are not referred to as Justices of the Peace, and the courts are not called JP courts in Massachusetts.