Small claims court in Pennsylvania

$12,000maximum claim in Magisterial district court, as of 29 October 2026

The basics

Small claims limit: $12,000¹42 Pa.C.S. 1515(a)(3)
Magisterial district judges hear civil claims of up to $12,000, not counting interest and costs. A plaintiff with a larger claim can give up the excess to stay under the limit.
Court: Magisterial district court^1,242 Pa.C.S. 1515(a)
Small claims are heard by a magisterial district judge.
Filing fee: Not yet confirmed
We have not confirmed this from an official source yet, so we do not show a figure.
Lawyers: Not required²
A lawyer is not required, and parties may represent themselves.
Appeals: 30 days²
A party may appeal to the Court of Common Pleas within 30 days of the decision, as the Lehigh County court guide explains.

Deadlines to sue (statutes of limitations)

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

Written contract: 4 years³42 Pa.C.S. 5525(a)(8)
4 years for a contract based on a written document.
Oral contract: 4 years³42 Pa.C.S. 5525(a)(3)
4 years for an express contract not in writing.
Property damage: 2 years⁴42 Pa.C.S. 5524(3), 5524(7)
2 years for taking or damaging personal property and for other injury to property.
Personal injury: 2 years⁴42 Pa.C.S. 5524(2)
2 years for personal injury caused by negligence or another wrongful act.

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

42 Pa.C.S. 1515, Jurisdiction and venue, Pennsylvania General Assemblyofficial
Magisterial District Court self help, Topic 1, Lehigh County Court of Common Pleasofficial
42 Pa.C.S. 5525, Four year limitation, Pennsylvania General Assemblyofficial
42 Pa.C.S. 5524, Two year limitation, Pennsylvania General Assemblyofficial

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.