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 Minnesota, small claims court is known as Conciliation Court. It is designed to allow parties to resolve disputes involving money or property up to a certain dollar amount without the need for formal legal representation. As of the knowledge cutoff in 2023, the jurisdictional limit for Conciliation Court in Minnesota is $15,000 for most claims, but it is $4,000 for consumer credit transaction disputes. Parties in Conciliation Court typically represent themselves, although they have the right to be represented by an attorney if they choose. The types of disputes commonly handled in Conciliation Court include those related to debt recovery, landlord-tenant issues, and various other minor civil disputes. The process is intended to be simpler and more accessible than other court proceedings, with a focus on expedient and fair resolution.