Small Claims Complaint

IMPORTANT: THIS IS A PREPARATION GUIDE — NOT THE OFFICIAL COURT FORM

New Jersey requires filing through the Special Civil Part clerk's office using the
court's official small claims complaint form. This template provides the substantive
legal content to help you prepare — but you must transfer your content to the official
form before filing. The official form is available at
njcourts.gov.
Do not file this document directly with the court.

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

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Parties ………………………………………………………………… 2
2. Jurisdiction & Venue ………………………………………………… 2
3. Statement of Facts …………………………………………………… 3
4. Cause(s) of Action …………………………………………………… 3
5. Damages Sought ……………………………………………………… 4
6. Prayer for Relief ……………………………………………………… 4
7. Appeal Rights Notice ………………………………………………… 5
8. Certification & Verification ………………………………………… 5
9. 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].

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 $5,000 (effective July 1, 2022).

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].

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.

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).

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

END OF COMPLAINT

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