SMALL CLAIMS COMPLAINT

(State of New Hampshire – District Division, Small Claims Session)

[// GUIDANCE: This template is designed for use in the New Hampshire District Division, Small Claims Session.
- Monetary limit: $10,000.00 (exclusive of allowable costs & statutory interest)
- Allowable relief: money damages only; no injunctive or equitable relief is available.
- Appeal: Either party may appeal to the Superior Court for a de-novo trial within the statutory time period (presently 30 days) following judgment.
Insert all requested information in the bracketed placeholders, delete guidance comments before filing, and confirm all court-specific formatting requirements (e.g., margins, font size, caption style).]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Document Header
II. Definitions (Optional – include if numerous defined terms are used)
III. Operative Provisions
IV. Representations & Warranties (Reserved)
V. Covenants & Restrictions (Reserved)
VI. Default & Remedies (Reserved)
VII. Risk Allocation (Reserved)
VIII. Dispute Resolution
IX. General Provisions
X. Execution Block

I. DOCUMENT HEADER

State of New Hampshire
[COUNTY] County – [NAME] District Court
Small Claims Docket

A. Title of Action

SMALL CLAIMS COMPLAINT FOR MONETARY DAMAGES

B. Recitals

1. Plaintiff seeks to recover money damages arising from the events more fully described below.
2. This claim is brought pursuant to the New Hampshire small-claims statute and is within the jurisdictional limit of $10,000.00.
3. No injunctive, declaratory, or equitable relief is sought.

C. Effective Date & Jurisdiction

This Complaint is deemed filed upon acceptance by the Clerk of the above-captioned Court and is governed exclusively by New Hampshire state law.

II. DEFINITIONS (optional)

[// GUIDANCE: Include only if the factual allegations involve recurring technical terms. Remove this section for most straightforward money-owed cases.]
“Agreement” means the contract dated [DATE] between Plaintiff and Defendant.
…

III. OPERATIVE PROVISIONS

1. Parties

1.1 Plaintiff. [PLAINTIFF NAME] (“Plaintiff”) is an individual/business with a principal residence/place of business at [ADDRESS].
1.2 Defendant. [DEFENDANT NAME] (“Defendant”) is an individual/entity that may be served at [SERVICE ADDRESS].

2. Jurisdiction & Venue

2.1 Amount in Controversy. The total amount sought, $[AMOUNT], is below the $10,000.00 statutory cap for small claims.
2.2 Venue. Venue is proper in this Court because Defendant resides or has a principal place of business in this county, and the events giving rise to this claim occurred within this county.

3. Statement of Facts

3.1 On or about [DATE], Plaintiff and Defendant entered into [brief description of transaction or agreement].
3.2 Plaintiff fully performed all obligations, including [list key acts or deliveries].
3.3 Defendant breached by [failure to pay, non-performance, etc.] despite due demand made on [DATE].
3.4 As a direct and proximate result, Plaintiff has suffered monetary damages in the principal amount of $[PRINCIPAL], plus interest, costs, and allowable statutory fees.

4. Cause(s) of Action

[// GUIDANCE: Select or add causes of action applicable to the facts. Common small-claims causes include Breach of Contract and Account Stated.]

4.1 COUNT I – Breach of Contract
(a) Plaintiff incorporates Paragraphs 1–3 by reference.
(b) The Agreement constitutes a valid, enforceable contract.
(c) Defendant’s failure to [pay/perform] constitutes a material breach.
(d) Plaintiff is entitled to damages of $[PRINCIPAL], plus contractual or statutory interest from [DATE], and court costs.

4.2 COUNT II – Account Stated (optional)
…

5. Damages

Plaintiff demands:
(a) Principal: $[PRINCIPAL]
(b) Pre-judgment interest at [RATE] % from [DATE] to judgment;
(c) Court filing fee: $[FEE]
(d) Service of process fee: $[FEE]
(e) Post-judgment interest as allowed by law; and
(f) Such other monetary relief as the Court deems just and proper within small-claims limits.

IV. REPRESENTATIONS & WARRANTIES (RESERVED)

[// GUIDANCE: Not typically applicable in a complaint. Section reserved for completeness per requested architecture.]

V. COVENANTS & RESTRICTIONS (RESERVED)

VI. DEFAULT & REMEDIES (RESERVED)

VII. RISK ALLOCATION (RESERVED)

VIII. DISPUTE RESOLUTION

8.1 Governing Law. New Hampshire state law governs all claims and defenses.
8.2 Forum Selection. The parties consent to exclusive jurisdiction of the above-captioned Court for all proceedings at the small-claims level.
8.3 Arbitration. Not applicable.
8.4 Jury Trial. Not available in small-claims proceedings.
8.5 Appeal Rights. Either party may file a timely notice of appeal to the Superior Court for a trial de novo in accordance with New Hampshire small-claims procedure.

IX. GENERAL PROVISIONS

9.1 Amendments. Plaintiff reserves the right to amend this Complaint as justice may require.
9.2 Severability. If any provision herein is determined unenforceable, the remainder shall remain in full force to the extent permitted by law.
9.3 Integration. This pleading embodies the entire statement of claims presently known to Plaintiff arising from the described events.
9.4 Electronic Filing & Signatures. Where permitted, this Complaint may be filed and signed electronically with the same force and effect as an original signature.

X. EXECUTION BLOCK

Respectfully submitted,

[PLAINTIFF NAME]
By: _______
Name: [NAME OF SIGNER]
Title/Capacity: [Self-represented plaintiff / Attorney for Plaintiff, Bar #____]
Date: [DATE]

VERIFICATION

I, [NAME], hereby state under penalty of perjury that I am the Plaintiff (or authorized agent of Plaintiff) in the foregoing action; that I have read the foregoing Complaint; and that the facts stated therein are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.

Signature

Subscribed and sworn before me on this _ day of ___, 20____.

Notary Public / Justice of the Peace
My commission expires: _____

[// GUIDANCE:
1. Attach any required exhibits (e.g., invoices, contracts, correspondence) and label them “Exhibit A,” “Exhibit B,” etc.
2. Confirm local court rules for notarization, service of process, and filing fees.
3. Serve a file-stamped copy of the Complaint and the court-issued small-claims notice on Defendant in accordance with Rule 4 of the New Hampshire District Division Rules.
4. Retain proof of service for the hearing date.
5. Delete all bracketed instructions and guidance comments prior to filing.]