Small Claims are small private disputes in which large amounts of money are not at stake, usually a maximum of $5,000 in most U.S. states. In case of a personal injury claim, where the value of the claim for the personal injuries themselves is not more than $1,000, it is treated as a small claim. Claims of the tenant against the landlord to carry out repairs or other work to the premises where the cost of the repairs or work is $1,000 or less will also be treated as small claims. In some cases, even if the value of the case is more than $5,000, but both parties agree, the court can allocate the case to the small claims track.
The rules of civil procedure, and sometimes of evidence, are simplified in order to make the procedures economical. Usually individuals ought to be able to conduct their own cases and represent themselves without recourse to a lawyer.