Small claims court in Mississippi

$3,500maximum claim in Justice Court, as of 29 October 2026

The basics

Small claims limit: $3,500^1,2,3Miss. Code 9-11-9
Justice court hears small civil claims of $3,500 or less.
Court: Justice Court^1,2Miss. Code 9-11-9
Small civil claims are heard in the justice court of each county.
Filing fee: Varies by county ($85 in Hinds County)⁴
Fees are set locally. Hinds County Justice Court charges $85 to file against one defendant, plus $15 for each additional defendant served in the county.
Lawyers: Yes, not required³
You do not have to hire a lawyer. DeSoto County asks people without one to sign a form waiving the right to counsel.
Appeals: 30 days (new trial)^5,6,3Miss. R. Justice Ct. 27, Miss. Unif. Civ. R. Cir. & Cty. Ct. 5.01, 5.04
You have 30 days after the judgment to file a notice of appeal and pay costs with the circuit court clerk. The case is then tried again from the start.

Deadlines to sue (statutes of limitations)

How long you usually have to file, counted from when the claim arose. Exceptions apply.

Written contract: 3 years^7,8Miss. Code 15-1-49(1)
You have 3 years under Mississippi's general rule for claims with no other set period.
Oral contract: 3 years^9,10Miss. Code 15-1-29
You have 3 years to sue over an unwritten contract or an open account not acknowledged in writing.
Property damage: 3 years^7,8Miss. Code 15-1-49(1)
You have 3 years under Mississippi's general rule for claims with no other set period.
Personal injury: 3 years^7,8Miss. Code 15-1-49(1)
You have 3 years under Mississippi's general rule for claims with no other set period.

Small claims rules are set by state law and court rules, and fees are often set locally. Before you file, check the court's own page or call the clerk.

Sources

Justice Court, Mississippi Judiciaryofficial
Miss. Code 9-11-9 (2025), Justia (reproduction of state code text), 2025secondary
Frequently Asked Questions, Justice Court, DeSoto County, Mississippiofficial
Justice Court, Hinds County, Hinds County, Mississippiofficial
Rules of Justice Court, Mississippi Judiciary, 2020-07-01official
In re Uniform Rules of Circuit and County Court Practice (2017 order, Exhibit A), Justia (Supreme Court of Mississippi order), 2017secondary
Miss. Code 15-1-49 (2025), Justia (reproduction of state code text), 2025secondary
Mississippi Code 15-1-49, FindLaw (reproduction of state code text), 2025-01-01secondary
Miss. Code 15-1-29 (2025), Justia (reproduction of state code text), 2025secondary
Mississippi Code 15-1-29, FindLaw (reproduction of state code text), 2025-01-01secondary

Checked 29 October 2026. "Secondary" sources reproduce the official text. We use them only where the official site could not be read and mark them here.