Courts and procedure
Small claims
A simpler, faster court procedure for smaller money disputes. In California, most people can claim no more than $12,500 there, and lawyers can't represent parties at the hearing.[1]
In more detail
In Florida, small claims cover county court civil cases up to $8,000,[2] and they are included in county court mediation, but aren't subject to Florida's rule requiring mediation on a party's request.[3][4] Many small claims courts offer same-day mediation.
Varies by state
Dollar limits, lawyer rules and appeal rights differ by state. Find your state’s rules.
Related terms
- County court mediation (Florida)In Florida, mediation of civil cases within the county court's jurisdiction, including small claims.
- County court (Florida)In Florida, the trial court that hears smaller civil cases, including small claims, along with misdemeanors and ordinance violations.
- Pro seRepresenting yourself in a court case without a lawyer.
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Sources
The official documents this definition is based on, with the date we last read each one. Definitions are in our own words.
- Small claims in California↩
- Florida Small Claims Rules, Rule 7.010, July 1, 2026 edition (last read Oct. 10, 2026; not re-checked, because this host is on our do-not-fetch list)↩
- Fla. Stat. § 44.1011 (Definitions)↩
- Fla. Stat. § 44.102 (Court-ordered mediation)↩
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Cite this page
MediationList. (2026, October 28). Small claims: Definition. https://mediationlist.com/glossary/small-claims/
APA 7th ed. A retrieval date is included only for pages whose content changes, such as maps, data and tools.