last updated 06-Dec-2018
All Small Claims Court courthouses are open Monday - Friday from 9:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and are closed and locked from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
All business must be commenced by 12:30 in the morning session and 4:00 p.m. in the afternoon. Calendars are called at 9:30 a.m. except Night Court at 5:30 p.m.
Adjournment requests must be in writing and will not be considered by phone. All parties must be notified of all adjournment requests.
Small Claims Court
Small Claims Court is a special court where you can sue for up to $5000. You can only sue for money. You cannot sue to make someone do something or for pain and suffering. The Defendant must live, work, or have a place of business in western 5 towns of Suffolk County.
- It is inexpensive and easy to use
- You do not have to have a lawyer
- The Court will notify the defendant for you
A person over 18 years old may file a Small Claim. A corporation, partnership, or association may file a Commercial Small Claim. See the Guide to Small Claims & Commercial Small Claims
Start your Small Claim by completing and filing the Complaint Form (DC283).
Commercial Small Claims are Small Claims where a corporation, partnership, or association can sue for up to $5000. You must have your principal office in New York State.
Start your Commercial Small Claim by completing and filing the Complaint Form (DC283)
Consumer Transaction Commercial Small Claims are Commercial Small Claims where a business or corporation can sue for up to $5000 against an individual, not a business, and the claim is about goods or services that were mainly for personal, family or household use.
Start your Consumer Transaction Commercial Small Claim by completing and filing the Complaint Form (DC283) with your Certification for Commercial Small Claims Consumer Transaction (DC 293 / UCS-119)
Use this Demand Letter for Commercial Small Claims Consumer Transaction (DC 292 / UCS-124) to warn the person that owes you money you will sue them if they do not pay you.
Please read the Guide to Small Claims & Commercial Small Claims.
Small Claims cases are calendared for mandatory arbitration in the courthouse. Lawyers and other interested parties should refer to
- Uniform District Court Act Article 18 for Small Claims
- Uniform District Court Act Article 18-A for Commercial Small Claims
- 28 NYCRR Part 28 for the rules of the Chief Judge regarding Arbitration
- 28 NYCRR Part 212 rules of the Uniform District Court, in particular 212.41 Small claims procedure and 212.41-a Commercial claims procedure