Small claims court in Vermont

$10,000maximum claim in Small claims court (Superior Court, Civil Division), as of 29 October 2026

The basics

Small claims limit: $10,000^1,212 V.S.A. 5531(a)
You can sue for up to $10,000 in Vermont small claims court. Slander and libel claims cannot be brought there.
Court: Small claims court (Superior Court, Civil Division)^1,312 V.S.A. 5531, 5538
Small claims court is part of the Civil Division of the Vermont Superior Court.
Filing fee: $65 or $90 (by claim amount)²
The statewide filing fee is $65 for claims of $1,000 or less and $90 for claims from $1,001 to $10,000. A counterclaim costs $25 or $35.
Lawyers: Yes, not required^4,312 V.S.A. 5536
You may use a lawyer but do not have to. This applies to people, companies and other organizations.
Appeals: 30 days (on the record)^5,3,212 V.S.A. 5538
Either party may appeal within 30 days of the judgment. A different Superior Court judge decides the appeal from the small claims record, with no new evidence, and the fee is $120.

Deadlines to sue (statutes of limitations)

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

Written contract: 6 years⁶12 V.S.A. 511
You have 6 years under Vermont's general rule for civil actions, unless another law sets a different period.
Oral contract: 6 years⁶12 V.S.A. 511
You have 6 years under Vermont's general rule for civil actions, unless another law sets a different period.
Property damage: 3 years⁷12 V.S.A. 512(5)
You have 3 years to sue for damage to personal property caused by someone else.
Personal injury: 3 years⁷12 V.S.A. 512(4)
You have 3 years to sue for injuries to the person, counted from when you discover the injury.

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

12 V.S.A. 5531, Definitions, jurisdiction, Vermont General Assembly, 2023-06-05official
Fees, Vermont Judiciaryofficial
Small Claims Booklet (June 2022), Vermont Office of the State Court Administrator, 2022-06official
12 V.S.A. 5536, Representation, Vermont General Assemblyofficial
12 V.S.A. 5538, Appeals, Vermont General Assemblyofficial
12 V.S.A. 511, Civil action, Vermont General Assemblyofficial
12 V.S.A. 512, Actions for assault and battery and other actions, Vermont 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.