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 North Dakota, small claims courts are part of the district court system and are designed to handle minor civil disputes quickly and without the need for formal legal procedures. The jurisdictional limit for small claims in North Dakota is $15,000, meaning that the court can hear cases where the amount in dispute does not exceed this limit. Common types of cases include debt recovery, property damage, and landlord-tenant disputes. In North Dakota, parties are allowed to represent themselves in small claims court (pro se representation), but they also have the option to be represented by an attorney if they choose. The informal nature of small claims court is intended to make the legal process more accessible to individuals without requiring the full involvement of attorneys.