last updated 22 October 2024
All Small Claims Court courthouses are open Monday - Friday from 9:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and are closed and locked from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
All business must be commenced by 12:30 in the morning session and 4:00 p.m. in the afternoon. Calendars are called at 9:30 a.m. except Night Court at 5:30 p.m.
Adjournment requests must be in writing and will not be considered by phone. All parties must be notified of all adjournment requests.
Small Claims Court
Small Claims Court is a special court where you can sue for up to $5000. You can only sue for money. You cannot sue to make someone do something. You cannot sue for pain and suffering. The Defendant must live, work, or have a place of business in western 5 towns of Suffolk County.
- It is inexpensive and easy to use
- You do not have to have a lawyer
- The Court will notify the defendant for you
Small Claims - a person can sue another person or a business. Please read the Guide to Small Claims & Commercial Small Claims.
Start your Small Claim by completing and filing the Complaint Form (DC283).
Commercial Small Claims - a corporation, partnership, or association can sue a person or a business. Please read the Guide to Small Claims & Commercial Small Claims at page 25.
Start your Commercial Small Claim by completing and filing the Complaint Form (DC283)
Consumer Transaction Commercial Small Claims - a corporation, partnership, or association can sue a customer about unpaid goods or services for personal, family or household use. Please read the Guide to Small Claims & Commercial Small Claims at page 25.
Start your Consumer Transaction Commercial Small Claim by mailing a Demand Letter for Commercial Small Claims Consumer Transaction (DC 292 / UCS-124) by regular mail to warn the customer you will sue them if they do not pay you. Wait10 days. If they have not paid you complete and file the Complaint Form (DC283) with your Certification for Commercial Small Claims Consumer Transaction (DC 293 / UCS-119)
Small Claims cases are calendared for mandatory arbitration in the courthouse. Lawyers and other interested parties should refer to
- Uniform District Court Act Article 18 for Small Claims
- Uniform District Court Act Article 18-A for Commercial Small Claims
- 28 NYCRR Part 28 for the rules of the Chief Judge regarding Arbitration
- 28 NYCRR Part 212 rules of the Uniform District Court, in particular 212.41 Small claims procedure and 212.41-a Commercial claims procedure
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