{"id":373892,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:05","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/maryland-law\/maryland-small-claims-courts.html"},"modified":"2023-10-04T10:26:22","modified_gmt":"2023-10-04T15:26:22","slug":"maryland-small-claims-courts","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/maryland-law\/maryland-small-claims-courts.html","title":{"rendered":"Maryland Small Claims Courts"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Maryland Small Claims Courts<\/h1>\n
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\n By Samuel Strom, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Small claims court can allow you to settle certain legal issues as quickly and easily as possible. Maryland Code Sect. 4-405<\/a> establishes that the District Court of Maryland processes small claim actions<\/a> involving disputes up to $5,000.00. The small claims courts can only hear certain civil actions<\/a>. The advantage of small claims court over filing a civil case in District Court is that small claims cases are typically resolved quickly and inexpensively.<\/p>\r\n

The steps in a small claims case are relatively few. First, the plaintiff<\/a> files their Complaint<\/a> and pays filing fees. Next, they must serve a Writ of Summons<\/a> on the defendant. The court will hold a small claims court trial, assuming the defendant disputes the plaintiff’s allegations.<\/p>\r\n

Litigants in a small claims case may find the following resources helpful:<\/p>\r\n