North Carolina Small Claims Court Information

• Statues: General Statutes of North Carolina, Ch. 7A, Art. 19, Sections 210-232.
• Dollar Limit: $5,000.
• Where To Sue: Where defendant resides. Corporation resides where it has place of business.
• Service: Sheriff or court-approved adult. Certified or registered mail, with return receipt.
• Hearing Date: Within 30 days of filing claim.
• Attorneys: Allowed.
• Transfer: No provision unless question of land title.
• Appeals: By either side for new trial, within 10 days of judgment.
• Special Provisions: No equitable relief except enforcement of liens. Counterclaims allowed so long as within the dollar limit. Discovery allowed. District judge may assign case to magistrate so long as the defendant is a resident of the county where the magistrate sits.

Note: This section outlines the special rules that apply to the small claims courts of all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Filing fees are not listed because they vary greatly and change frequently. Because court rules may change at any time, always check with the clerk of the small claims court to verify the accuracy of the information given for your state.