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 New Jersey, small claims courts are a subdivision of the Special Civil Part of the Law Division of the New Jersey Superior Court. These courts are designed to handle cases involving disputes over small amounts of money, typically where the claim does not exceed $3,000, or $5,000 if the claim is a result of a security deposit. New Jersey allows parties to represent themselves in small claims court, known as proceeding 'pro se,' but unlike some states, attorneys are also permitted to represent parties in these cases. The types of disputes commonly seen in New Jersey small claims courts include those related to debt recovery, property damage, and landlord-tenant issues. While the term 'Justice of the Peace' is not used in New Jersey, the judges presiding over these cases are experienced in dealing with the streamlined procedures of small claims court, which are designed to facilitate a quicker and less formal resolution of disputes.