A Small Claim
W. Va. Code § 50-2-1 — magistrate court hears civil cases up to $20,000
$20,000. Magistrate courts hear civil actions where the amount in controversy, apart from interest and costs, is not more than $20,000.
They also hear evictions and unlawful entry and detainer, as long as title to the property is not in dispute.
Magistrate courts do not hear cases in equity, title to real estate, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, or slander and libel. A particular case is a question for a licensed West Virginia attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- W. Va. Code § 50-2-1 — Magistrate courts: civil jurisdiction
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed West Virginia attorney.