COMPLAINT FOR MONETARY DAMAGES
Superior Court of the District of Columbia
Civil Division – Small Claims and Conciliation Branch
[// GUIDANCE: This template is drafted for use in the District of Columbia Small Claims and Conciliation Branch (SCCB) pursuant to D.C. Code § 11-1321 (monetary limit: ≤ $10,000). Local court rules and mandatory forms change periodically—confirm current requirements before filing.]
Caption
Superior Court of the District of Columbia
Civil Division – Small Claims and Conciliation Branch
500 Indiana Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20001
| | |
|----------------|-----------------------------------------------------------|
| Plaintiff: | [PLAINTIFF NAME], an individual [or entity] |
| Address: | [PLAINTIFF STREET], [CITY, STATE ZIP] |
| Telephone: | [PLAINTIFF PHONE] |
| E-Mail: | [PLAINTIFF EMAIL] |
| v. | |
| Defendant: | [DEFENDANT NAME], an individual [or entity] |
| Address: | [DEFENDANT STREET], [CITY, STATE ZIP] |
| Telephone: | [DEFENDANT PHONE] |
| E-Mail: | [DEFENDANT EMAIL] |
Case No.: ____
Calendar No.: ___
Next Event: _____
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Document Header
- Definitions
- Operative Allegations
- Representations & Warranties
- Covenants & Restrictions
- Default & Remedies
- Risk Allocation
- Dispute Resolution
- General Provisions
- Verification & Execution
1. DOCUMENT HEADER
1.1 Title. Complaint for Monetary Damages (Small Claims).
1.2 Effective Date. This Complaint is deemed filed on the date stamped by the Clerk of the Court.
1.3 Jurisdiction. This action is brought under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, Civil Division – Small Claims and Conciliation Branch, pursuant to D.C. Code § 11-1321, because the amount in controversy does not exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), exclusive of interests, costs, and attorney fees.
1.4 Parties. Plaintiff and Defendant are identified in the caption above and collectively referred to as the “Parties.”
2. DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this Complaint, the following capitalized terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
A. “Agreement” means the written [CONTRACT/INVOICE/LEASE] dated [DATE] between Plaintiff and Defendant.
B. “Claim” means Plaintiff’s demand for monetary relief arising from Defendant’s alleged breach of the Agreement and related causes of action.
C. “Damages” means the sum of [AMOUNT IN WORDS] Dollars ($[AMOUNT NUMERICAL]) plus pre- and post-judgment interest, costs, and permissible statutory fees.
D. “Small Claims Limit” means the monetary ceiling prescribed by D.C. Code § 11-1321(b) (currently $10,000.00).
3. OPERATIVE ALLEGATIONS
3.1 Formation of Agreement. On or about [DATE], Plaintiff and Defendant entered into the Agreement whereby Defendant agreed to [NATURE OF OBLIGATION].
3.2 Performance by Plaintiff. Plaintiff fully performed all material obligations under the Agreement, including but not limited to [SPECIFY ACTIONS], or such performance was excused by Defendant’s prior breach.
3.3 Breach by Defendant. Beginning on or about [DATE], Defendant failed to [SPECIFY OBLIGATION], constituting a material breach of the Agreement.
3.4 Damages. As a direct and proximate result of Defendant’s breach, Plaintiff suffered Damages in the amount of $[AMOUNT NUMERICAL], which is within the Small Claims Limit.
3.5 Conditions Precedent. All conditions precedent to maintaining this action have occurred, been satisfied, or have been waived.
3.6 Prayer for Relief. Plaintiff respectfully requests judgment against Defendant for:
a. Damages of $[AMOUNT NUMERICAL];
b. Pre-judgment interest at the statutory rate;
c. Post-judgment interest as provided by law;
d. Costs of this action; and
e. Such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.
4. REPRESENTATIONS & WARRANTIES
4.1 Plaintiff’s Standing. Plaintiff represents that it is the real party in interest and has not assigned, subrogated, or otherwise transferred the Claim.
4.2 Non-Bankruptcy. Plaintiff warrants that no petition in bankruptcy has been filed by or against Plaintiff that would affect standing to bring this action.
[// GUIDANCE: Delete or modify 4.2 if the Plaintiff is an individual consumer not subject to a pending bankruptcy.]
5. COVENANTS & RESTRICTIONS
5.1 Good-Faith Participation. The Parties are required under Superior Court Rule of Civil Procedure 101 and SCCB guidelines to participate in good-faith mediation or conciliation sessions as directed by the Court.
5.2 Notice Obligations. Plaintiff shall promptly notify Defendant in writing of any additional bases for recovery discovered during litigation and will move to amend as required by Rule 15.
6. DEFAULT & REMEDIES
6.1 Events of Default. Any failure by Defendant to respond within the time limits set forth in Superior Court Rule of Civil Procedure 12 triggers Plaintiff’s right to move for default judgment under Rule 55.
6.2 Graduated Remedies.
a. Clerk-Entered Default;
b. Ex parte Proof Hearing;
c. Execution on Judgment, including garnishment or attachment consistent with D.C. Code § 16-501 et seq.
6.3 Attorney Fees & Costs. If the Agreement provides for recovery of attorney fees, Plaintiff seeks such fees to the fullest extent permitted by law.
7. RISK ALLOCATION
7.1 Limitation of Liability. Plaintiff does not seek any recovery in excess of the Small Claims Limit.
7.2 Indemnification. Not applicable pursuant to Metadata instructions; no indemnity claims are asserted herein.
7.3 Force Majeure. No force-majeure defense is applicable to Defendant’s payment obligation absent express contractual language or statutory excuse.
8. DISPUTE RESOLUTION
8.1 Governing Law. This dispute is governed by the laws of the District of Columbia.
8.2 Forum Selection. Exclusive venue lies in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, Civil Division – Small Claims and Conciliation Branch.
8.3 Arbitration. Not applicable; arbitration is expressly waived.
8.4 Jury Waiver. No jury trial is available in SCCB proceedings.
8.5 Appeal Rights. Any aggrieved party may appeal a final judgment of the SCCB to the District of Columbia Court of Appeals within thirty (30) days of entry of judgment, pursuant to D.C. Code § 17-307 and Superior Court Civil Rule 72.
9. GENERAL PROVISIONS
9.1 Amendments & Waivers. Any amendment to this Complaint requires written leave of Court under Rule 15.
9.2 Severability. If any provision herein is held invalid, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force to the extent legally permissible.
9.3 Integration. This Complaint constitutes the entire pleading regarding the matters alleged and supersedes all prior drafts or discussions.
9.4 Electronic Signatures. A manually signed original or electronically filed signature shall each be deemed an original for all court purposes.
10. VERIFICATION & EXECUTION
I, [PLAINTIFF NAME], being first duly sworn, depose and say that I am the Plaintiff in the above-captioned matter; that I have read the foregoing Complaint and know the contents thereof; and that the same is true to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.
Date: ___
[PLAINTIFF NAME]
Plaintiff, Pro Se [or “By Counsel”]
Subscribed and sworn to before me this ___ day of _, 20_.
Notary Public
My Commission Expires: _______
[// GUIDANCE:
1. Attach copies of the Agreement, invoices, demand letters, and any other supporting documents as “Exhibit A,” “Exhibit B,” etc.
2. Serve Defendant via certified mail or personal service in accordance with Superior Court Rule 4.
3. File a completed SCCB “Statement of Claim” cover sheet if required by clerk’s office.
4. Confirm current filing fee (varies with amount in controversy).
5. Consider adding a “Military Service Declaration” to comply with the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.]