small-claims court
noun
a special court established to handle small claims or debts, usually without the services of lawyers.
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small-claims court
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small claims court
small claims courtnouna local court with jurisdiction to try civil actions involving small claims
small-claims court
American
[smawl-kleymz]
/ ˈsmɔlˈkleɪmz /
noun
small claims court
British
noun
Etymology
Origin of small-claims court
First recorded in 1920–25
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Brian can certainly pursue this matter in small-claims court.
From MarketWatch ● May 28, 2026
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.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 22, 2025
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.
From Salon ● Dec. 21, 2022
Even though attorneys aren’t allowed in small-claims court, renters can feel outgunned if going up against a landlord or property management company in front of a judge.
From Seattle Times ● May 22, 2022
A few years earlier, Dorland filed papers in small-claims court against a Los Angeles writing workshop where she’d taught, accusing the workshop of mishandling a sexual-harassment report she had made against a student.
From New York Times ● Oct. 5, 2021
"Four women working at the small claims court were slightly injured," the head of the judiciary employees' union in Athens, Stratis Dounias, told the broadcaster.
From BBC ● Apr. 28, 2026
Northern Ireland's Department of Health said it did not use debt collection agents, but would refer "some debts to small claims court".
From BBC ● Feb. 16, 2026
If your landlord won’t comply with your request for repairs, replacement or reimbursement, that can be a case for small claims court as well.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 6, 2024
I’m ready to take him to small claims court.
From Slate ● Sep. 15, 2023
Fellows, who lives in Eugene, Ore., eventually won a judgment in small claims court last year for about $10,000, the maximum amount allowed in small claims court.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 11, 2023
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
