Small Claims Court
N.Y.C. Civ. Ct. Act § 1801 — up to $10,000 in New York City, and up to $5,000 in a city court elsewhere
Money only. A small claim is a claim for money only, not counting interest and costs. In the civil court of New York City the limit is $10,000; in a city court outside New York City it is $5,000.
The defendant lives, has a business office, or regularly works within the court's area, which is the city for the civil court and the county for a city court. A tenant may also sue a landlord there over the tenancy when the property is within that area.
A party aggrieved by an arbitration award under Part 137 of the rules of the chief administrator of the courts may also bring the dispute as a small claim, within the same limits.
Sources for this section (2)
- N.Y.C. Civ. Ct. Act § 1801 — Small claims defined
- Uniform City Ct. Act § 1801 — Small claims defined
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed New York attorney.