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 Tennessee, small claims cases are handled within the General Sessions Court system. The jurisdictional limit for small claims in Tennessee is $25,000, which is on the higher end of the range compared to other states. Parties in small claims court are allowed to represent themselves (pro se), but they are also permitted to have an attorney represent them if they choose. The types of disputes commonly seen in small claims courts in Tennessee include debt recovery and landlord-tenant issues, similar to other states. Tennessee does not use the title 'Justice of the Peace' for its judges; instead, the judges presiding over these cases are referred to as General Sessions Judges. The small claims court provides a more informal and expedited process for dispute resolution compared to higher courts.