Small Claims Complaint

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

Pennsylvania requires the use of official court form AOPC 308A for small claims
complaints filed in Magisterial District Court. 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
pacourts.us.
Do not file this document directly with the court.

SMALL CLAIMS COMPLAINT

(Pennsylvania – Magisterial District Court / Philadelphia Municipal Court)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Document Header
2. Definitions
3. Jurisdiction & Venue
4. Parties
5. Statement of Facts
6. Causes of Action
7. Damages & Monetary Relief Requested
8. Notice of Appeal Rights
9. Certification & Verification
10. 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.

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.

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].

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.☐ ____________________________________________________________

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.

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: ____________