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Small Claims Court
What Is Small Claims Court?
Small claims court is a special court where disputes are resolved quickly and inexpensively. In small claims court the rules are simplified and the hearing is informal. The person who files the claim is called the plaintiff. The person who the claim is filed against is called the defendant. While you may ask an attorney for advice before you go to small claims court, an attorney cannot represent you in court.
The plaintiff has the right to appeal a disfavorable defendant's claim, but has no right to appeal the small claims judgment. The defendant has a right to appeal. If the defendant files an appeal, each party may be represented by an attorney at the hearing. More information on appeals is found under Post-judgment Proceedings.
A natural person (not a business or public entity) may file a claim
for more than $5,000 but less than or equal to $7,500.
If you have a claim for more than $7,500.00, you may file your action in the Civil Division of the Superior Court. You may, however, waive your right to any amount over $7,500.00 and file the matter in Small Claims. You cannot file more than two small claims cases anywhere in California for more than $2,500.00 during a calendar year.
Hours of Operation
Office Hours:
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Monday through Friday, excluding Court holidays.
Phone Hours:
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Monday through Friday, excluding Court holidays
Fairfield: (707)207-7335
Vallejo: (707)561-7835
Court Schedules
Small Claims trials are heard as follows:
Northern Solano Judicial District
600 Union Avenue
Fairfield , CA 94533
Courtroom 200
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
2:00 p.m.
Vallejo-Benicia Judicial District
321 Tuolumne Street
Vallejo, CA 94590
Courtroom TBA
Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays
2:00 p.m.
Small Claims Advisor
Available for phone consultation only. (707) 207-7336
Monday
8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m./1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Tues/Wed/Thur
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Filing Fees
| Filing Claim for $1,500 or less |
$30.00 |
| Filing Claim for more than $1,500 but less than
or equal to $5,000 |
$50.00 |
Filing Claim for more than $5,000 but less than
or equal to $7,500
(Claim by natural person only) |
$75.00 |
| Filing Claim by person who has filed more than
12 small claim in California within the previous 12 months |
$100.00 |
| Service by clerk for certified mail, to each
defendant |
$10.00 |
Transfer of care out of small claim court
(Defendant's claim exceeding jurisdictional limit)
(No receiving court filing or transfer fee) |
No Fee |
Request for postponement of hearing, if
defendant has been served
|
$10.00 |
| Notice of appeal of small claims
case |
$75.00 |
| Motion to Vacate |
$20.00 |
| Fee for payment of judgment to court |
$20.00 |
| Application for order of examination of judgment
debtor |
$40.00 |
| Writ of Execution |
$15.00 |
| Abstract of Judgment |
$15.00 |
| New Filing Fees For
2008 |
|
| Amendment raising amount of claim from $1,500
or less to more than $1,500 but not exceeding $5,000 |
$20.00 |
| Amendment raising amount of claim from more
than $1,500 but not exceeding $5,000 to more than $5,000 but not
exceeding $7,500 (claim by natural persons only) |
$25.00 |
| Amendment raising amount of claim from $1,500
or less to more than $5,000 but not exceeding $7,500 (claim by
natural persons only) |
$45.00 |
| Request for postponement of hearing, if
defendant has been served, or before service on defendant if a
prior postponement was granted |
$10.00 |
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