General Procedure

Small claims court is the way in which Massachusetts citizens and businesses can resolve disputes without an attorney’s help. Known as “the people’s court,” this informal and inexpensive forum is designed to help resolve legal disputes of $7000 or less, and is run somewhat like the hit TV show of the same name. It is unnecessary to use legal terms in small claims court, and it is actually not advisable to try to “act like a lawyer” when presenting a small claims case. Rather, a clear, concise, and well-supported story is the best weapon. SCAS callers will likely know something about small claims court and its procedures before they call, but often this knowledge will be pretty vague. Our job is to clarify the ins-and-outs of the small claims system in Massachusetts and make callers feel more empowered to exercise their rights through this venue.

This chapter will go through the basic procedure involved in settling a dispute. The chapters that follow will discuss, in greater detail, the laws most relevant to the cases we hear; however, the information in this chapter applies to all small claims disputes. Be sure to read carefully! And remember, small claims court is not the only option for resolving disputes involving less than $7000 – settlement through negotiation, mediation, or arbitration is often just as (if not more) effective. Be sure to remind callers of these options as well.

Before Small Claims Court

Friendly Negotiation is the first step individuals should consider taking to resolve a dispute. Sometimes all it takes is a conversation to work out a mutually agreeable solution.

Mediation is another good way to resolve disputes. Put simply, mediation is “formal negotiation,” an opportunity for both parties to sit down in the presence of a neutral moderator to attempt to settle their disagreement. It is most successful when both parties are willing to compromise to avoid the hassle of going to court and/or when the two sides have an ongoing personal (or business) relationship that might become strained should actual “litigation” take place. A few things to know about mediation:

• It is non-binding, which means that the mediator cannot force (or enforce) a decision. If an agreement is reached, it will be, by definition, an agreement that satisfies both parties.
• The mediator acts as a go-between for the two parties, often asking one party what they want from the settlement, presenting this proposal to the other party, listening to their counteroffer, presenting this to the original party, and so on until an agreement is reached (or the parties agree that they cannot agree!)
• Mediation can be terminated at any point during the process by any party for any reason. This fact may often help one party convince the other party to agree to mediation, as they can remind the reluctant party that they can "opt out" at any point.
• Consenting to mediation does not prevent either party from filing a small claim, should mediation fail to lead to an agreement. There is no harm done to at least try mediation when a dispute arises. If it does not work, a claim can follow.
• Mediation is usually conducted at no cost to the two parties and is always done without a lawyer.

Why should parties chose mediation? It works. When people voluntarily mediate, the overwhelming majority of disputes are settled. Also, people who go through mediation are more likely to be satisfied with the result than people who go to trial, because they have more opportunity to take part in the decision. For the same reason, people who reach a mediated settlement are much more likely to pay than people who receive a judgment through trial. Mediation provides a good answer to the most common complaints about the small claims court process: excessive delay, high cost to litigants, cumbersome procedures, and inaccessibility. In addition, small claims court clerk-magistrates are often more sympathetic to cases when they know that parties have already tried mediation. The court often notifies the plaintiff about the option to mediate and submits the claim to mediation at the request of either party and with the agreement of both parties.

Arbitration is another means of resolving a dispute before going through the small claims court system. The primary difference between arbitration and mediation is that arbitration is binding, unless otherwise agreed. If the parties cannot come to mutually satisfactory agreement after meeting with an arbitrator, then this arbitrator is bound to come to a decision, just as a judge would. This decision is final and cannot be appealed, except under very specific cases of error. It becomes a decision of the court.

Some things to keep in mind about arbitration:

• Arbitration is pursued instead of going to small claims court. An unhappy party cannot take the case to small claims court after going through arbitration.
• It usually takes place without the aid of a lawyer. However, the arbitrator is generally a lawyer or law student.
• As with small claims court, the costs of arbitration may be included in the award, unless otherwise proved. This does not include counsel fees.
• Arbitration is usually faster than small claims court (i.e. you can usually schedule an arbitration date earlier than you could schedule a small claims court date).
• Arbitration is a very common way of dealing with the Massachusetts Lemon Law (see Automobile Law for details on the Lemon Law).

Although arbitration has some disadvantages, it is worth considering in cases where parties seek a quick and equitable solution or if the disputed amount exceeds the small claims limit of $7000. Note that there is no upper limit to arbitration.

To initiate arbitration, you can consult one of many resources in the state, such as the MDRS (www.mdrs.com), JAMS (www.jamsadr.com), NAF (www.arb-forum.com), or AAA (www.adr.org). Fees vary depending on the type of claim (namely, whether it falls under the small claims limit of $7000), the hours before the arbitrator, and the number of arbitrators used (panel or individual).

Here is a Mass.gov link (https://www.mass.gov/doc/trial-court-list-of-court-connected-approved-programs-for-alternative-dispute-resolution) to a helpful list of approved alternative dispute resolution services, including approved arbitrators.

A Demand Letter is the final pre-small claims step. If mediation and/or arbitration cannot resolve the dispute (or one or more parties does not agree to mediation/arbitration), then the individual who has suffered (a.k.a. the future plaintiff) should write a 30-day demand letter to the individual or business who is liable for the suffering (a.k.a. the future defendant), explaining the complaint and demanding specific compensation for the damage caused. Although these letters are only required for consumer law cases that fall under Chapter 93A (See Consumer Law for more information), they are very helpful in all small claims cases. SCAS usually recommends writing a demand letter as the first step towards filing a small claim. A 30-day demand letter should be typed, if possible, and should include:

• A chronology of the events prompting the letter. This should include the dates and details of all relevant interactions, as well as an explanation of why the plaintiff feels they has been wronged (i.e. what laws have been broken/rights have been violated).
• A statement of the remedy the plaintiff requests (payment in the amount of $500 or correction of the shoddy repair work, for example).
• A clear statement that informs the reader that, if this demand is not met within thirty days (a recommended, not mandatory, period of time), they will be subject to legal proceedings in small claims court.

In short, a demand letter should be a concise statement of the plaintiff's side of the case. A client who succeeds at organizing his thoughts into a compelling demand letter usually has a well thought-out case that would be easy to present if it goes all the way to small claims court. Individuals writing demand letters should always:

• Keep at least one copy of the letter for their own records. A demand letter is a very helpful piece of evidence in court, as it shows that the plaintiff made a "good faith effort" to resolve the situation prior to bringing it to court.
• Send a copy of this letter to the party who has caused them to suffer a monetary loss. This may be a tenant, landlord, car dealer, travel agent, next-door neighbor, mechanic, ex-roommate, etc. If the responsible party is a business, the demand letter must be addressed to the proper business name, and not to an individual. Proper business names can be obtained through the Secretary of the Commonwealth's Corporations Division. Individuals can access the public records by clicking on "Search the Corporate Database" on their website, by calling (617) 727-9640, or by writing to "Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations Division, One Ashburton Place, 17th floor, Boston, MA 02108."
• Send copies of the letter two ways: certified mail, return receipt requested AND regular, first class mail. If the sender receives the certified mail receipt back (indicating that it was received), they can assume the letter was received as long as the first class mail is not returned to them.

For more information on how to write a demand letter, see The Demand Letter

Filing a Claim

Filing a Small Claim is the next step. If the writer of a demand letter does not have their demands met within the span of time specified in the letter (again, 30 days* is a popular time window), they may go forward and file a claim in small claims court. Plaintiffs should hold onto a copy of the demand letter and also take note of any interactions between the two parties (attempted mediation, phone conversations, etc.), as these may be relevant later on.

• The only time you have to use the full 30 days is in situations where you are suing for double/treble damages beyond the $7,000 small claims limit; otherwise the number of days is up to your own discretion.

Who can Sue?

Any person of legal age may file a claim in their own name as plaintiff. A parent or guardian can file a suit on behalf of a minor. Automobile damages must be sued for by the registered owner (not the driver, if there is a discrepancy between the two).

Who to Sue?

It is very important that a plaintiff is suing the correct person.

• If it is a personal dispute (i.e. not against a business of any sort), the person(s) who committed the action/broke the contract/failed to act is liable.
• If they are suing a proprietorship, the single owner is liable.
• If they are suing a partnership, then partners are liable.
• For corporations, the person filing the claim must write down the name of the corporation. Clients should not list particular individuals unless they are suing them directly. A person can find the real legal name of the business by checking with the Secretary of the Commonwealth's Corporations Division.

The long-arm statute of Massachusetts

If a client is suing a person/corporation that is located out of state, they may do so if the party being sued transacts any business in Massachusetts, contracts to supply services in Massachusetts, causes injury by doing something or failing to do something in Massachusetts, has an interest in using or possessing real property in Massachusetts, or contracts to insure a person or property located in Massachusetts at the time of contracting. If the person/corporation has done something or failed to do something outside of the state of Massachusetts, they can still be sued in Massachusetts if their action (or failure to act) causes injury that occurs within Massachusetts or if they regularly solicit business or derives substantial revenue from goods used or services rendered in Massachusetts. Otherwise, they cannot be sued in Massachusetts.

Where to Sue?

There are five places a small claim can be filed:

• Where the plaintiff lives
• Where the plaintiff works/has their business
• Where the defendant lives
• Where the defendant works/has their business
• Where the property is located (in landlord-tenant cases)

The plaintiff can choose among the district courts that represent those above five options. Generally, it is better to file a claim in the district that is most convenient for the defendant (i.e. where the defendant lives or works), because it makes collection easier later on. However, no claim will be rejected if the venue is found improper. The court will normally refer clients to the proper venue unless there is reason to think that the defendant will waive their right to proper venue or if filing must be immediate to be permitted under the statute of limitations.

Plaintiffs pursuing a claim incurred in the course of their trade, commerce, or assigned debt should file a Verification of Defendant’s Address form along with their Statement of Claim and Notice of Trial form, certifying that they have verified the defendant’s mailing address. The form does not need to be served to the defendant.   

What to Sue For?

Ordinarily, whenever one party can show that they have suffered a loss of no more than $7000 that another party should be legally held accountable for, they may file a claim in small claims court. Although the original action brought must include a claim for monetary damages, the court may order non-monetary, or "equitable" relief, such as specific performance, instead of, or in addition to, damages. For example, if you sued your neighbor for failing to mow your lawn despite your paying them to do so, the court could award you monetary damages or order your neighbor to mow the lawn or both. However, you cannot file a claim solely for equitable relief.

There are a few cases that cannot be brought to small claims court, however. These include: (1) slander or libel cases and (2) claims against the Commonwealth, a county, or municipality that are brought under the Massachusetts tort.

For a list of other groups that cannot be sued in Small Claims Court, please see Individuals and Groups Who Can Not Be Sued in Small Claims.

How Much to Sue For?

The monetary limit in small claims court is $7000 plus court costs, with four exceptions:

• If a small claim falls under Chapter 93A and involves unfair or deceptive business practices, double or treble("triple") damages may be awarded for a total of up to $21000.
• In certain landlord/tenant cases, double or treble damages may be awarded, again up to $21,000.
• Automobile accident cases (i.e. cases involving property damage caused by a motor vehicle) are an exception and have no monetary limit. Personal injury cases caused by automobile accidents, however, must either meet the $7,000 limit or be filed in formal civil court.
• In certain wage law violations, plaintiffs can be awarded treble damages.

Although a plaintiff may sue the same party in small claims court multiple times for different claims - as in, monetary damages arising from completely different transactions or injurious actions - and hence recovering move than $7,000 from a single party, they may not "split" a claim into multiple parts. Furthermore, if the clerk-magistrate detects an "artificial division of the claim to bring it within the small claims limits," they are obliged to transfer it immediately to the civil docket.

Plaintiffs may sue for any or all of the below, but may not sue for punitive damages. They may also include any court costs incurred, such as:

• Property damage/loss
• Doctor's bills
• Repair of property
• Consequential damages (i.e. the cost of renting a car if such a rental was made necessary by shoddy repair work that had to be corrected).
• Lost wages
• Any other "damages" that can be "monetized" in some way
• In some cases, a plaintiff may be able to sue for mental distress or pain and suffering. Though not explicitly precluded, the client should be warned that certain districts do not permit it. It is also uncertain if any weight is given to these claims.
• In some cases, a plaintiff may be able to sue for travel expenses and costs incurred while collecting evidence, though this varies on a case by case basis.

Keep in mind that a plaintiff can, at most, be awarded the amount they ask for on their claim form. For this reason, it is wise not to underestimate. The clerk-magistrate can decide to award the plaintiff less than this amount if they believe some of it to be frivolous, but they cannot award more than what the plaintiff asked for. If a plaintiff thinks they are eligible for double or treble damages, they should indicate this on the "description of the claim" part of the claim form (but should fill the "claim amount" box with the $7,000 or less that was originally owed before the doubling or tripling of damages).

It is also worth keeping in mind that a plaintiff can only recover the fair market value for damaged or missing property. This is not the replacement value (i.e. how much the item would cost to replace at today's prices), but rather is the amount the item was worth when it was damaged or lost (an amount that is likely the original price of the item, less depreciation).

The Claim Form is a simple document; however, callers often ask for help in filling it out.

A Statement of Claim and Notice Form (the official name of the Small Claims Court claim form) can be obtained from the Small Claims Court Clerk at the district courthouse in which the claim will be filed. It can also be obtained by printing it from an online PDF document at this link. The form can be picked up in person from the court or can be requested by mail. In terms of filing the form, the form can be filed online at this link or it can be filed through mail. The court will usually mail a small claims form requested over telephone at no cost to the caller. A copy of the Statement of Claim and Notice form is included in the appendix of this manual.

The Directory of Small Claims Courts in Massachusetts can be used to provide addresses and phone numbers of all district courts.

A Statute of Limitations is also available to help clients by verifying that they are still able to sue over a particular dispute.

The Filing Fee for filing in small claims court in Massachusetts varies depending on how much the client is suing for. The entry fee is entry fee of $40 for claims less than or equal to $500; entry fee of $50 for claims greater than $500 but less than or equal to $2000; entry fee of $100 for claims greater than $2000 but less than or equal to $5000; entry fee of $150 for claims greater than $5000. (*Surcharge included in all figures).

Fee Waivers are available for clients who cannot afford any legal fees in Small Claims (waivers can apply to any fees that might be incurred, including, but not limited to, the filing fee). Always make sure clients are aware of the fee waiver option in case they qualify. If a client thinks that they may be eligible, they should contact the courthouse.

Defendant's Response

Once a claim has been filed, a court date will be set by the clerk. The plaintiff will receive a copy of the "Statement of Claim and Notice of Trial" form back from the clerk, indicating the date and time of the scheduled trial. Another copy of this form will be immediately mailed to the defendant at the address provided on the form by both certified mail and first-class mail. As in the case of the demand letter, the court will presume this document was received as long as the first class mail is not returned to the court undelivered.

Once the defendant receives this Notice, they have five options:

1. Settle - Now that the defendant knows that their opponent "means business," they may want to settle the dispute out of court. If an out-of-court agreement is reached prior to the court date, the plaintiff should get this agreement written (and signed by both parties) and can then grant the defendant forebearance, which means that they will no longer be taking the defendant to court. The court should be notified, either in person, or by mail, and they will enter the agreement as an order of the court. If this is done before the scheduled trial date, neither party need appear.
2. Answer - if the defendant believes that the plaintiff should not win the judgment, they may file an answer, outlining the reasons why. If possible, this written answer should be filed with the court prior to the court date. If an answer is not filed, the defendant may still come to court on the scheduled date and defend their side. However, if the defendant's failure to submit a written answer, or to send a copy of it to the plaintiff in a timely manner, has prejudiced the presentation of the plaintiff's case, the court shall grant a continuance at the plaintiff's request.
3. Counterclaim - if the defendant not only believes that they are not liable for the plaintiff's damages, but also believes that the plaintiff is liable for some of theirs, the defendant may file a counterclaim, arguing that the defendant has a claim against the plaintiff. The counterclaim must be filed with the court and also mailed to the plaintiff at least 10 days before the trial date in order for it to be considered at the same trial as the original claim for no additional filing fee. The court may also permit the defendant to bring such a claim in writing at any time. No written answer for the defendant's claim is required. If the defendant's counterclaim, or failure to send timely notice to the plaintiff, has prejudiced the presentation of the plaintiff's case, the court will grant a continuance at the plaintiff's request.
4. Third Party Claim - the defendant may also file a claim against a third party who may be liable to them for all or part of the plaintiff's claim if the defendant's claim (1) is within the jurisdiction of small claims court and (2) the notice is mailed to the third party at least 10 days before the trial date. The court may also permit the defendant to bring such a claim in writing at any time. There shall be no filing fee or surcharge for such a claim. A defendant who wishes to file a third-party claim should contact the small claims court clerk for more information.
5. Request Postponement of the Case - the defendant may call or write to the court clerk and request a postponement of the case if: (1) it is impossible for them to show up in the person on that date, or (2) the defendant was improperly served with court papers by the plaintiff (i.e. if the plaintiff serves the papers too soon before the court date).
6. Default - if the defendant does not show up for the scheduled court hearing, they automatically "default" and hence lose the case. A judgment will be handed down in the plaintiff's favor, and the defendant will be required to pay the judgment amount.

Before the Court Date

After the Statement of Claim and Notice of Trial is filed and a court date is scheduled, either or both parties may find that the scheduled date, time and place of the court hearing is inconvenient or undesirable. If this is the case, the inconvenienced party has a few options:

• If the matter is urgent, the party may file a motion for a speedy trial. If this motion is granted, the trial will be scheduled for the earliest possible date/time.
• If the date and/or time of the scheduled hearing is impossible or extremely inconvenient, the party may file for a continuance. If granted, the date and time of the hearing will be rescheduled for a later date.
• If the location of the hearing is impossible or extremely inconvenient, the party may file for a change of venue. If granted this will move the location of the trial to another district court.
• If the party cannot physically appear in court for some reason, the clerk magistrate may consider hearing its side only through a lawyer representative if it can convince the court that it needs assistance, and that the person it is sending to court is familiar with what happened.

In all of these cases, the clerk should be contacted for more specific instructions.

Preparing for Small Claims Court

Organization is perhaps the most important part of a small claims presentation. If the story being told is hard to follow, the clerk-magistrate may not see the validity of a party's claim. Creating an outline is one way of making sure that a story is told logically, and may also be an incredibly helpful "cheat sheet" on trial-day, when nerves may kick in. A good order of presentation for a plaintiff might be:

1. Brief overview of the case (e.g. "The defendant hit my car after failing to stop at a stop sign. My car now requires $1,500 worth of repairs).
2. What happened in chronological order
3. What steps have been taken in order to try to solve the problem
4. What the law says briefly.
5. Suggested Judgment

Presenting Evidence is another way of making a claim more persuasive to a clerk-magistrate. If a party can present hard evidence to back up an assertion, then this assertion automatically becomes more believable. A word of caution, though: evidence is only as useful as the way in which it is presented. Throwing a pile of evidence at a clerk-magistrate will be of little help. But incorporating evidence when relevant can be enormously helpful. Again, an outline can help here. If a plaintiff/defendant creates an outline of their case, they can place, in the margin, little notes reminding them to pull out a receipt or present a photograph when these pieces of evidence serve to pack up a point they are making. If applicable, parties should bring items such as

• Receipts
• Contracts
• Warranty Policies
• Leases
• Photographs
• Damaged items
• Inspection Forms
• Written Estimates

Parties should make two extra copies of any documentation or evidence that they plan to present during the hearing, with one for the opposing party and one for the Clerk-Magistrate.

Clients should be aware that the cameras and other personal electronic devices are generally not permitted in court. Evidence from such devices should be printed out, if possible. Clients should contact the court in advance if they need to use their electronic devices in court.

Calling Witnesses is another way of helping to validate statements made in small claims court. Although witnesses are not required in small claims court (and, in fact, are frowned upon if the clerk magistrate finds them to be frivolous or unable to enhance understanding of the case), they can be very helpful when cases are of a "he said, she said" nature. Choose witnesses carefully, however; if there is any chance that a witness will hurt your case, erring on the side of not calling the witness is advisable.

If a witness refuses to appear at a small claims trial, the court can subpoena the person. In order to subpoena someone, the litigant must go to the sheriff's office and fill out a subpoena form, which will then be delivered to the witness's home by a sheriff, constable, or other detached party. There is a service fee for the subpoena procedure, which is determined by the county. Evidence can also be subpoenaed in similar fashion.

The court is required to arrange for interpreters for those who are not fluent in English.

The final piece of advice is simple: Practice. Practicing is critical to success in small claims as it allows you to work out the kinks in your presentation and helps to deal with nerves that arise during a trial.

The Basics of Small Claims Court

Before a small claims court participant enters the courtroom on trial-day, it is helpful for them to know the "basics" of how the court operates and how the actual hearing will proceed. Here are a few key terms:

• Clerk-Magistrate - In the early 1980s, Massachusetts began employing "clerk-magistrates" to preside over small claims court hearings instead of judges. Clerk-magistrates act in the same capacity as judges; however, clerk-magistrates do not necessarily have the same legal training as judges. It is not necessary to use legal terms with clerk-magistrates. The clerk-magistrate should be called Mr./Ms. Clerk and not "Your Honor." Sometimes judges may hear small claims matters if the court approves, but only if the defendant first acknowledges in writing that they are waiving their right to appeal for a subsequent trial by a judge or before a jury since they are being heard by a judge in their initial trial.
• Plaintiff - the party who institutes the claim (i.e. the party who thinks it has been wronged). Plaintiffs may not appeal in small claims court.
• Defendant - the party being sued (i.e. the party allegedly responsible for wronging the plaintiff). Defendants can appeal. The only exception is that a defendant who brought a counterclaim in the original trial cannot appeal the counterclaim portion of a decision, if they lose. The defendant (who is the litigant for the counterclaim portion) is considered to have waived their right to appeal in the same fashion as the plaintiff.

Once a small claims case is "called to trial" (i.e. the parties are told that their trial is to begin), the hearing will proceed as follows (keep in mind that the entire process can take as little as five to ten minutes):

1. Both parties will be invited to cross "the bar" (the small fence separating the clerk-magistrate and the plaintiff/defendant table from the "public seating" in the courtroom) and have a seat at either side of the table. The table will face the clerk-magistrate, who will be seated at an elevated dais at the front of the room.
2. The clerk-magistrate will ask one side to briefly present their side of the case. The plaintiff usually goes first. As in all levels of our legal system, the burden of proof is on the plaintiff, which means that the plaintiff must convince the clerk-magistrate that the defendant has caused them to suffer monetary damages and should be held liable for them. The plaintiff's evidence and/or witnesses should be presented at this time. The plaintiff will usually concludes their presentation by reminding the clerk-magistrate of the amount in damages they are seeking (plus court costs).
3. The clerk-magistrate will ask the other side (usually the defendant) to present their side of the case. The defendant's job is merely to explain either why they should not be held liable for the plaintiff's damages, and/or why the plaintiff's claim is not legitimate (i.e. no law has been broken/no right has been violated). Again, the defendant's evidence and/or witnesses can be presented at this time.
4. The clerk-magistrate may then ask the plaintiff if they have anything further to add, now that the defendant has presented their side.
5. Each party may then be asked a series of questions by the clerk-magistrate (if they feel as though further clarification is necessary to completely understand the case).
6. When all presentations/questions have concluded, the clerk-magistrate may immediately render a decision (rare) or may reserve decision, which means that they will come to a decision later, and mail this decision to each party within 10 days of the hearing (more common).
7. Both parties will be thanked, and may exit the courtroom. The trial is over.

A few other things to keep in mind about courtroom demeanor:

• All parties should dress respectfully. Suits are unnecessary, but looking neat and tidy will indicate to the clerk-magistrate that the party takes the proceeding seriously.
• All statements should be addressed to the clerk-magistrate. Parties should not speak directly to each other unless instructed to do so by the clerk-magistrate.
• Plaintiffs/defendants should never interrupt either the clerk-magistrate or the other party. Speak only when instructed to do so.

After the Judgment

Once the clerk-magistrate has reached a decision, both parties will be sent the Notice of Judgment and Order as well as a Notice of Payment Hearing, via first class mail. In some cases, the defendant will be deemed not liable for the damages, and they will not have to pay the plaintiff anything. In other cases, the defendant will be held liable for all/part of the damages sustained by the plaintiff. If so, the defendant is required by law to pay the plaintiff the amount of money indicated on the mailed judgment form. In practice, however, collecting this money is often difficult for plaintiffs.

The defendant is afforded several options within the thirty-day period. First, the defendant in a case that went to trial may claim an appeal within ten days of receipt of the Notice of Judgment, in which case the payment hearing would be canceled. Second, the defendant can simply pay the successful party and satisfy the judgment. Third, the defendant can appear at the payment hearing and the burden would then fall upon them to show that payment should not be made in full. To use this option, however, the defendant would have to fill out a financial statement and provide a copy to the plaintiff in advance of the payment hearing.

A Default Judgment occurs when the defendant in a small claims case does not appear in court on the scheduled hearing date. In these cases, the plaintiff automatically wins (and is usually granted the full amount of money they requested on the claim form), as long as they present a viable case on the claim form and can file an affidavit stating that the defaulting defendant is not in military service.

A Dismissal occurs when a plaintiff does not show up on the day of a hearing. The case is automatically dropped and the defendant may be let off the hook.

Relief from Judgment may be requested by the defendant or the plaintiff within one year of the date of judgment. This is not an appeal and is typically used when a defendant wants to remove a default judgment or when a plaintiff wants to vacate a dismissal for failure to appear for trial. The party must file a Motion to Vacate Judgement form with the court that issued the judgment. Valid reasons for filing to vacate judgement include mistakes by courts (such as if the court magistrate overlooked or misinterpreted a piece of evidence), a good excuse for not showing up, new found evidence that may change the outcome of the case, and/or the plaintiff used fraud or improperly served papers on the defendant. The court requires a hearing in which the party requesting relief from judgment attempts to show cause for a new trial, at which the other party oppose the relief from judgment request. While the court may permit a motion for relief from judgment to be filed, whether it will be granted is completely up to the clerk-magistrate's discretion. Technically, a "meritorious excuse" is not, in and of itself, sufficient reason to require the removal of a default. The court, in vacating an order of dismissal or a default judgment, may, in appropriate circumstances, award reasonable expenses such as lost wages to the other party if the party was present on the day the case was dismissed or the defendant defaulted. Getting a relief from judgment does not guarantee a win in small claims court, but does give the defendant or plaintiff another opportunity to be heard.

An Appeal may be filed if the defendant in a small claims case believes that the decision made by the clerk-magistrate is incorrect due to an error in fact or law. However if a defendant elected to have their case tried initially by a judge, there is no possibility of appeal. In Massachusetts, the defendant, if they wish to appeal, must file an appeal within 10 days of receiving judgment; after that time, the right to appeal is gone. (However, the court may award an extension if they can prove that they could not make the deadline because of excusable neglect or some other good reason.) To file an appeal, a defendant must pay a $25 fee (this may be waived in cases of indigence) AND post a bond, usually in the amount of $100, though there are some exceptions. The appellant (the defendant who is appealing) must send their papers via first class mail to the appellate court clerk, who must receive the paperwork within the ten-day deadline. They must also file an affidavit, a notarized statement that specifies issues of fact or law in the case that require a trial by judge or jury of six and that states that such trial is intended in good faith. Copies of paperwork that are not required to be served by the clerk must be served on the other party by the appellant, either in person or by first class mail. An appellant should contact the court at which the case was decided for the specific filing procedures.

Plaintiffs cannot appeal in Small Claims Court. Defendants should know that if they failed to show up in small claims court, they do not have the right to appeal unless they obtained relief from judgment. Appellants may or may not choose to rely on the assistance of a lawyer. They should also keep in mind that if they lose their appeals case, the judge or jury may find them responsible for paying costs (court costs or otherwise) for the other party.

An Appeals Hearing is held before either a jury of six or a judge (not a clerk-magistrate). Once the defendant has appealed the case, both parties have the right to a jury trial, so the case will be heard by a judge only if both parties waive this right (i.e. neither party requests a jury trial). The defendant is entitled to a jury trial only for disputed questions of fact and should be prepared to inform the jury session or judge about which issues of fact are disputed by them and the plaintiff. The District Court jury sessions (to which appeals are directed) are not governed by the informal and flexible rules of small claims court. For this reason, a client involved in an appeal may wish to hire an attorney.

Forms and Small Claims Rules

Uniform Small Claims Rules

Small Claims Standards

Forms:

Statement of Small Claim and Notice of Trial

Verification of Defendant’s Address

General Purpose Motion

Appearance of Counsel

Appearance of Substitute Counsel

Agreement for Judgment and for Payment Order

Financial Statement of Judgment Debtor

Defendant's Claim of Appeal

Satisfaction of Judgment

Satisfaction of Judgment in Counterclaim

Motion to Vacate Judgement

Small Claims Answer

Small Claims Counterclaim