How to Sue in Maryland Small Claims Court

Small Claims Court is a division of the District Court of Maryland.  It handles disputes involving no more than $5,000, and does so with less formality than other Maryland courts.  The Court's rules of procedure and evidence are relaxed to make it easier for persons to represent themselves without hiring attorneys, although parties may have attorneys represent them if they choose.  The cases are decided by the judge. There is no jury.

A lawsuit may be filed in Small Claims Court in the District Court If:

• The suit is for money only (not for the return of property or performance of a service, for example).
• The suit is for no more than $5,000 plus interest and costs.
• The person filing suit (plaintiff) is at least 18 years old.  If the plaintiff is not 18 years old, another person who is at least 18 years old must sue on the plaintiffs behalf.

The steps for filing a Complaint in the Small Claims Division of Maryland District Court are outlined below.  Please review these steps carefully. If you have questions about the procedure, the clerk of the Court in the Small Claims Division of Maryland District Court in your county is available to answer them.

1. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO SUE AN INDIVIDUAL OR BUSINESS
2. SERVICE OF PROCESS - DELIVERY OF YOUR COMPLAINT
3. PREPARING FOR TRIAL
4. COLLECTING YOUR JUDGMENT
5. WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE SUED
6. GLOSSARY OF LEGAL TERMS 

Tips from the District Court on "How to File a Small Claim."

Last date of  legal review 5/1/08 (PLL/M.A.J.)

Source: Maryland Legal Assistance Network (MLAN), updated by the Maryland State Law Library (MSLL).

About this website. The Maryland State Law Library, a court-related agency of the Maryland Judiciary, sponsors this site. The website was developed (1999-2007) as part of an access to justice initiative by the Maryland Legal Assistance Network (MLAN) in collaboration with a number of legal services providers serving low and moderate income Marylanders.  In the absence of file-specific attribution or copyright, the Maryland State Law Library may hold the copyright to parts of this website. You are free to copy the information for your own use or for other non-commercial purposes with the following language “Source: Maryland's People’s Law Library – www.peoples-law.org. © Maryland State Law Library, 2007.”

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