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Judge Grant: Welcome to Court Clips. I’m Judge Glenn Grant, administrative director of the courts.
Court Clips allows us to give you a closer look at some of the programs
and procedures of the New Jersey Courts.
In this episode, we’re taking a look at Small Claims Court.
Narrator:Small Claims Court is a section of the Special Civil Part of Civil division.
Small Claims Court is what it says.
It’s where a person can file a small claim.
The Court defines small as 3 thousand dollars or less, or $5,000 if the case involves a security deposit.
Procedures in Small Claims Court are simpler than other courts.
One can usually file and present their cases quickly and inexpensively.
Many people proceed Pro Se in small claims court which means they handle
their case themselves without an attorney.
Small Claims handles cases in which the demand is for no more than 3 thousand dollars. If the person filing the suit,
the plaintiff, believes he or she is entitled to more than 3 thousand dollars but still wishes to sue in Small Claims
Court, they give up their right to recover damages of more than 3 thousand dollars.
Some cases handled in small claims are breach of contract, consumer complaints for faulty construction,
claims for back rent, return of money used as a security deposit and others.
Judge Grant: Since small claims court has monetary limits it may or may not be the right court for your dispute.
You can get more information about small claims court at the special civil part office in your local courthouse
or at our website. NJ courts dot com.