Small claims courts provide a simple, informal and inexpensive option for resolving cases where the claim is $7,000 or less. You may only bring a small claim in the court for the location where either the plaintiff or the defendant lives or has a place of business or employment.
Filing a Lawsuit (Plaintiffs) When filing a lawsuit, you need to complete the packet “How to File a Complaint in the Superior Court of New Jersey Law Division – Civil Part”. The packet includes instructions for filing and the complaint form. The complaint needs to name the party or parties you are filing against.
The time it takes for a small claims court case to be heard in New Jersey can vary depending on the county you're in and the complexity of your case. However, you can expect the process to take several months, between 3 to 6 months on average.
A Small Claims complaint form and accompanying instructions, is available in any New Jersey Special Civil Part Office and is available on the Internet at njcourts. The summons and complaint can be filed through the mail or in person at the appropriate Special Civil Part Office (See “Where Do I File a Complaint”).
Filing a Lawsuit (Plaintiffs) When filing a lawsuit, you need to complete the packet “How to File a Complaint in the Superior Court of New Jersey Law Division – Civil Part”. The packet includes instructions for filing and the complaint form. The complaint needs to name the party or parties you are filing against.
To sue someone in Massachusetts, you have to file a complaint with the clerk of the court. A complaint is not a specific form. It is a document that contains a short statement of the facts showing your claim and why you are entitled to relief and a demand for judgment granting that relief.
Lawsuits for amounts up to $20,000 are called special civil cases. They are filed in Superior Court, in the special civil part of the civil division.
In general, the statute of limitations for a contract action is 6 years and for a personal injury action is 2 years. You should be aware, however, that various factors may alter these time periods.