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 Pennsylvania, small claims courts are known as Magisterial District Courts. These courts handle various minor civil disputes, including debt recovery and landlord-tenant issues, similar to small claims courts in other states. The jurisdictional limit for small claims in Pennsylvania is $12,000, which means that the court can adjudicate cases where the amount in dispute does not exceed this threshold. Parties in Pennsylvania's small claims courts are typically allowed to represent themselves (pro se), but they are not prohibited from retaining an attorney if they choose to do so. The process is designed to be simpler and more accessible than in higher courts, allowing for a quicker resolution of disputes without the need for extensive legal procedures.