small-claims court

[smawl-kleymz]

noun

1. a special court established to handle small claims or debts, usually without the services of lawyers.

small claims court

noun

1. a local court with jurisdiction to try civil actions involving small claims

Word History and Origins

Origin of small-claims court¹

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

A fan suing LeBron James in small-claims court after buying Lakers tickets thinking the NBA icon was retiring drops the case after a sports-betting app intervenes.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Cochran sued Matthews in small-claims court and won $2,855.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In recent years, he has also faced two eviction proceeds and lost a case in small-claims court and was ordered to pay $5,000 plus interest after borrowing money from a friend, the Times said in a second article.

Read more on Washington Post

Ashanti had represented his wife in small-claims court in a dispute with her former employer, a nonprofit wholly owned by a city agency — a clear conflict of interest.

Read more on Salon

Going to small-claims court, however, is a time-consuming barrier for many renters.

Read more on Seattle Times