SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY
LAW DIVISION, SPECIAL CIVIL PART – SMALL CLAIMS SECTION
COUNTY OF [COUNTY_NAME]
Docket No.: [To be assigned by Clerk]
[PLAINTIFF FULL LEGAL NAME],
Plaintiff,
v.
[DEFENDANT FULL LEGAL NAME],
Defendant.
Civil Action – Small Claims
COMPLAINT FOR MONETARY DAMAGES
[// GUIDANCE: Small-Claims pleadings must be concise and may be prepared by pro se litigants. This template is designed for attorney use; delete guidance comments before filing.]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Parties ………………………………………………………………… 2
- Jurisdiction & Venue ………………………………………………… 2
- Statement of Facts …………………………………………………… 3
- Cause(s) of Action …………………………………………………… 3
- Damages Sought ……………………………………………………… 4
- Prayer for Relief ……………………………………………………… 4
- Appeal Rights Notice ………………………………………………… 5
- Certification & Verification ………………………………………… 5
- Signature Block ……………………………………………………… 6
1. PARTIES
1.1 Plaintiff. [PLAINTIFF FULL LEGAL NAME] (“Plaintiff”) is an individual/entity residing/organized at [PLAINTIFF ADDRESS], County of [COUNTY_NAME], State of New Jersey.
1.2 Defendant. [DEFENDANT FULL LEGAL NAME] (“Defendant”) is an individual/entity residing/organized at [DEFENDANT ADDRESS], County of [DEFENDANT COUNTY], State of [STATE].
[// GUIDANCE: If more than one Defendant, replicate §1.2 and label §1.3, §1.4, etc.]
2. JURISDICTION & VENUE
2.1 This Court has subject-matter jurisdiction under N.J. Ct. R. 6:1-2(a), which limits Small Claims matters to monetary demands not exceeding $3,000 (or $5,000 when the claim concerns the return of a residential security deposit).
2.2 The amount in controversy is $[AMOUNT], which does not exceed the applicable jurisdictional limit.
2.3 Venue is proper in the Special Civil Part of [COUNTY_NAME] pursuant to N.J. Ct. R. 6:1-3 because Defendant resides, transacts business, or the cause of action arose in this county.
2.4 No injunctive, declaratory, or equitable relief is sought; Plaintiff seeks monetary damages only, consistent with the allowable scope of the Small Claims Section.
3. STATEMENT OF FACTS
3.1 On or about [DATE], Plaintiff and Defendant entered into [brief description of transaction/relationship—e.g., “a written agreement for the sale of goods”].
3.2 Pursuant to that agreement/relationship, Defendant became obligated to pay Plaintiff $[AMOUNT] by [DATE DUE].
3.3 Despite due demand, Defendant has failed and refused to pay the outstanding amount.
3.4 As a direct and proximate result, Plaintiff has sustained monetary loss in the amount of $[AMOUNT] plus statutory interest and allowable court costs.
4. CAUSE(S) OF ACTION
COUNT I – BREACH OF CONTRACT
4.1 Plaintiff repeats and realleges §§3.1–3.4 as if fully set forth herein.
4.2 The parties formed a valid and enforceable contract supported by consideration.
4.3 Plaintiff has fully performed or was ready, willing, and able to perform all obligations.
4.4 Defendant breached the contract by failing to tender payment when due.
4.5 Plaintiff has been damaged in the principal sum of $[AMOUNT].
[// GUIDANCE: Insert additional counts (e.g., Unjust Enrichment, Account Stated) only if they provide independent bases for recovery and do not contravene small-claims simplicity.]
5. DAMAGES SOUGHT
5.1 Principal Amount: $[AMOUNT]
5.2 Pre- and post-judgment interest at the statutory rate under N.J. Ct. R. 4:42-11(a).
5.3 Court filing fees and service-of-process fees recoverable under N.J. Ct. R. 6:2-3.
5.4 Any other relief the Court deems just and proper.
[// GUIDANCE: Attorney’s fees are generally not recoverable in NJ small claims absent statute or contract. Omit unless clearly authorized.]
6. PRAYER FOR RELIEF
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully demands judgment against Defendant for:
(a) Damages in the amount set forth in §5.1;
(b) Applicable statutory interest as set forth in §5.2;
(c) Taxable costs as set forth in §5.3; and
(d) Such other and further relief as the Court deems equitable and just.
7. APPEAL RIGHTS NOTICE
A judgment entered in the Small Claims Section may be appealed as of right to the Appellate Division of the Superior Court within 45 days of entry of final judgment pursuant to N.J. Ct. R. 2:4-1(a).
[// GUIDANCE: Provide this notice to satisfy due-process considerations and avoid disputes over appealability.]
8. CERTIFICATION & VERIFICATION
I certify that confidential personal identifiers have been redacted from this pleading as required by R. 1:38-7(b), and that the foregoing statements made by me are true to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief. I understand that if any of the foregoing statements are willfully false, I may be subject to punishment.
Date: ________
Signature: _______
Name: [PLAINTIFF NAME / ATTORNEY NAME]
Title (if attorney): Attorney for Plaintiff | NJ Attorney ID ____
Address: ___________
Telephone: ____ Email: _______
9. SIGNATURE BLOCK
Respectfully submitted,
[PLAINTIFF NAME OR ATTORNEY NAME]
[Law Firm Name, if applicable]
[Street Address]
[City, State ZIP]
Tel: [PHONE]
Email: [EMAIL]
Attorney for Plaintiff (if applicable)
SERVICE INSTRUCTIONS
[// GUIDANCE:
1. Attach one (1) copy of the filed Complaint for each Defendant plus one (1) extra copy for the Court.
2. Provide a completed CIS (Civil Case Information Statement) – Special Civil Part, Form CIS-SCP.
3. Supply stamped envelopes addressed to each Defendant if the Clerk will serve by certified and regular mail.
4. Pay the current filing and service fees as set by N.J. Judiciary Fee Schedule.]
END OF COMPLAINT
[// GUIDANCE:
• Confirm the current small-claims monetary limits before filing.
• Confirm county-specific special civil part procedures (e.g., required attachments, number of copies).
• If filing on behalf of a corporate plaintiff, ensure compliance with R. 6:11—corporate entities must be represented by counsel unless qualifying under narrow exceptions.]