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 Vermont, small claims courts are a division of the Vermont Superior Court where individuals can resolve disputes involving a limited amount of money, typically without the representation of an attorney. The jurisdictional limit for small claims in Vermont is $5,000, meaning that the amount in dispute must not exceed this figure. These courts are designed to be accessible and user-friendly, allowing parties to represent themselves (pro se). Common types of cases handled in Vermont's small claims courts include debt recovery and landlord-tenant disputes. While the term 'Justice of the Peace' is used in some states to refer to judges in small claims courts, in Vermont, the presiding officials are typically judges from the Superior Court. It is important to note that the procedures and rules in small claims court are simplified to make it easier for non-lawyers to present their cases, but parties still have the option to consult with an attorney for advice before or after the court proceeding.