SMALL CLAIMS COMPLAINT
(Pennsylvania – Magisterial District Court / Philadelphia Municipal Court)
[// GUIDANCE: This template is designed for monetary‐damage actions that do not exceed Pennsylvania’s small-claims jurisdictional limit of $12,000, exclusive of costs and interest. 42 PA. CONS. STAT. § 1515(a)(3). Confirm the amount in controversy and the correct court (Magisterial District Court statewide; Municipal Court in Philadelphia) before filing.]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Document Header
- Definitions
- Jurisdiction & Venue
- Parties
- Statement of Facts
- Causes of Action
- Damages & Monetary Relief Requested
- Notice of Appeal Rights
- Certification & Verification
- Signature Block
1. DOCUMENT HEADER
IN THE [ ] COURT OF [ ] COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
(Civil Action – Small Claims)
Docket No.: _____
[PLAINTIFF FULL LEGAL NAME],
Plaintiff,
v.
[DEFENDANT FULL LEGAL NAME],
Defendant.
2. DEFINITIONS
For ease of reference, the following capitalized terms have the meanings set forth below:
2.1 “Action” means this civil proceeding commenced in Small Claims Court for recovery of money damages.
2.2 “Claim Amount” means the total sum of money the Plaintiff seeks to recover, exclusive of court costs, statutory interest, and post-judgment interest, and which shall not exceed the jurisdictional limit prescribed by 42 PA. CONS. STAT. § 1515(a)(3).
2.3 “Court” means the Magisterial District Court for [COUNTY] County, Pennsylvania (or the Philadelphia Municipal Court, Civil Division, if applicable).
2.4 “Plaintiff” means [PLAINTIFF FULL LEGAL NAME], as identified in Section 4.1.
2.5 “Defendant” means [DEFENDANT FULL LEGAL NAME], as identified in Section 4.2.
[// GUIDANCE: Add or delete defined terms as appropriate; maintain consistency throughout the complaint.]
3. JURISDICTION & VENUE
3.1 Monetary Jurisdiction. The Claim Amount is $[AMOUNT ≤ 12,000], which is within the monetary jurisdictional limit of this Court pursuant to 42 PA. CONS. STAT. § 1515(a)(3).
3.2 Subject-Matter Jurisdiction. This Action alleges [BREACH OF CONTRACT / PROPERTY DAMAGE / OTHER PERMISSIBLE CLAIM], an “allowable claim” cognizable in small claims proceedings under Pennsylvania law.
3.3 Personal Jurisdiction & Venue. Venue is proper in this Court because:
a. The Defendant is domiciled or regularly conducts business in [COUNTY] County; and/or
b. The transaction or occurrence giving rise to this Action took place in [COUNTY] County.
[// GUIDANCE: Delete or revise subsections 3.3(a)–(b) to track the specific factual basis.]
4. PARTIES
4.1 Plaintiff.
a. Name: [PLAINTIFF FULL LEGAL NAME]
b. Capacity: ☐ Individual ☐ Entity (specify type) ____
c. Address: [STREET, CITY, STATE, ZIP]
d. Phone / Email: [ ]
4.2 Defendant.
a. Name: [DEFENDANT FULL LEGAL NAME]
b. Capacity: ☐ Individual ☐ Entity (specify type) ____
c. Address: [STREET, CITY, STATE, ZIP]
d. Phone / Email (if known): [ ]
4.3 Additional Parties. ☐ None ☐ See attached Schedule 1 for additional plaintiffs/defendants.
5. STATEMENT OF FACTS
5.1 On or about [DATE], the Plaintiff and Defendant entered into [BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CONTRACT/TRANSACTION].
5.2 Plaintiff fulfilled all obligations required under the aforementioned agreement and/or applicable law, including but not limited to:
a. [Enumerate key performance items]
b. ____________
5.3 Defendant breached its obligations by:
a. [Non-payment of $_ due on _]
b. [Delivery of defective goods]
c. ____________
5.4 As a direct and proximate result of Defendant’s breach/misconduct, Plaintiff sustained financial losses in the amount of $[SPECIFIC DOLLAR FIGURE], plus statutory interest accruing from [DATE].
[// GUIDANCE: Keep the factual narrative concise; small claims judges favor clear, chronological statements.]
6. CAUSES OF ACTION
Count I – Breach of Contract (if applicable)
6.1 Paragraphs 5.1–5.4 are incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.
6.2 An enforceable contract existed between the parties.
6.3 Defendant’s actions constitute a material breach.
6.4 Plaintiff is entitled to recover the Claim Amount as compensatory damages.
Count II – [Tort / Unjust Enrichment / Quantum Meruit] (optional)
6.[ ] ____________
[// GUIDANCE: Add or remove counts to reflect the factual basis. Each count should be limited to an “allowable claim” within small claims jurisdiction.]
7. DAMAGES & MONETARY RELIEF REQUESTED
7.1 Principal Damages: $ [ ]
7.2 Pre-Judgment Interest (if contract provides or statute allows): $ [ ]
7.3 Court Costs & Service Fees: $ [ ]
7.4 TOTAL CLAIM AMOUNT (not to exceed $12,000): $ [ ]
Plaintiff further requests post-judgment interest at the statutory rate until paid in full.
8. NOTICE OF APPEAL RIGHTS
A party aggrieved by the judgment entered in this Action may file a notice of appeal with the Court of Common Pleas for the county in which this Court sits within thirty (30) days after the date of entry of judgment. See PA. R.C.P.M.D.J. 1002(a). Failure to timely appeal waives all appellate rights.
[// GUIDANCE: Serve a copy of the judgment and this notice on all parties immediately after entry to preserve due-process compliance.]
9. CERTIFICATION & VERIFICATION
I, the undersigned Plaintiff (or authorized representative), certify that:
9.1 The statements made in this Complaint are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief;
9.2 This Complaint is not filed for an improper purpose such as to harass or cause unnecessary delay; and
9.3 The Claim Amount accurately reflects the monetary damages sought, exclusive of allowable costs and interest.
I understand that false statements herein are made subject to the penalties of 18 PA. CONS. STAT. § 4904, relating to unsworn falsification to authorities.
10. SIGNATURE BLOCK
DATED: ____
[PLAINTIFF NAME OR AUTHORIZED AGENT]
Title (if entity): ___
Phone: ____
Email: _______
Address for Service and Notices:
[STREET]
[CITY, STATE ZIP]
(Optional Notary Acknowledgment – not required but permissible)
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA )
) SS:
COUNTY OF _____ )
On this ___ day of _, 20_, before me, the undersigned notary public, personally appeared ______, known to me (or satisfactorily proven) to be the person whose name is subscribed above, and acknowledged that the foregoing instrument was executed for the purposes therein contained.
Notary Public
My Commission Expires: ______
[// GUIDANCE:
1. COMPLETING THE FORM – Replace every [PLACEHOLDER] with specific information.
2. FILING – Submit the completed complaint, together with the filing fee and proof of service instructions, to the appropriate Magisterial District Court office (or the Philadelphia Municipal Court Civil Filing Center).
3. SERVICE – Arrange service on the Defendant via the constable or sheriff in accordance with PA. R.C.P.M.D.J. 307.
4. HEARING – The Court will schedule a hearing date and notify the parties. Prepare evidence (contracts, invoices, photographs, witness statements).
5. POST-JUDGMENT – If judgment is entered in your favor, docket the judgment promptly and explore enforcement mechanisms (e.g., attachment, execution) if the Defendant fails to satisfy the judgment.]