What's happening
This bill increases the monetary jurisdiction limit of New York justice courts from $3,000 to $5,000.
Why it matters
Expands Access to Local Justice. By raising the monetary jurisdiction limit, more civil disputes involving amounts up to $5,000 can be resolved in local justice courts, which are often more accessible and less intimidating than higher courts.
Reduces Caseload in Higher Courts. Increasing the limit helps divert smaller claims from busier state and county courts, potentially leading to faster case resolution overall and less backlog at higher court levels.
Impacts Legal Strategies and Costs. Individuals and small businesses may find it more practical and cost-effective to pursue or defend claims in justice courts, where procedures are typically simpler and legal representation may not be required, lowering barriers to justice.
Influences Settlement Negotiations. Raising the limit may encourage earlier settlements for disputes in the $3,000–$5,000 range, since parties know these claims can be adjudicated locally rather than in more formal courts.
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Who cares
Justice court judges and staff
The bill would raise the monetary limit for money and personal-property recovery cases from $3,000 to $5,000, excluding interest and costs and subject to applicable lower city court limits.
People and businesses seeking money or property
Claims worth more than $3,000 and up to $5,000 would fall within justice courts’ expanded jurisdiction.
Defendants bringing counterclaims
The bill would let courts hear money-only counterclaims up to $5,000, with any amount above that limit deemed waived.
Plaintiffs combining multiple claims
The bill would allow each separately eligible claim to reach $5,000 and permit a total judgment above that amount when the excess results solely from combining the claims.
Headline styles
Raise Small Claims Limit
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Multi-sponsor
History
- Referred to judiciary
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
9024
IN ASSEMBLY
January 12, 2018
Introduced by M. of A. THIELE -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. CROUCH -- read once and referred to the Committee on Judiciary
AN ACT to amend the uniform justice court act, in relation to the monetary jurisdiction of justice courts
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision a of section 201 of the uniform justice court act, as amended by chapter 685 of the laws of 1977, is amended to read as follows:
a. The court shall have jurisdiction as set forth in this article and as elsewhere provided by law, subject, in the case of a city court governed by this act, to the limitations stated in § 2300 (b) (2) (i) of this act. The phrase "[$3000] $5000", whenever it appears herein, shall be taken to mean "[$3000] $5000 exclusive of interest and costs", except that, in the case of a city court governed by this act whose monetary jurisdiction is, pursuant to § 2300 (b) (2) (i) of this act, below [$3000] $5000, it shall be taken to mean such lesser sum as is applicable in the particular court, exclusive of interest and costs.
§ 2. Section 202 of the uniform justice court act, as amended by chapter 685 of the laws of 1977, is amended to read as follows: § 202. Money actions and actions to recover chattels.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the court shall have jurisdiction of actions and proceedings for the recovery of money or chattels where the amount sought to be recovered or the value of the property does not exceed [$3000] $5000.
§ 3. Section 208 of the uniform justice court act, as amended by chapter 685 of the laws of 1977, is amended to read as follows: § 208. Counterclaims.
The Court shall have jurisdiction of any counterclaim whose subject matter would be within its jurisdiction if sued upon separately. If a counterclaim for money only in excess of [$3000] $5000 is interposed, the court may entertain it to the extent of [$3000] $5000 but it shall be deemed waived as to the excess above [$3000] $5000.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD14185-01-8
A. 9024 2
§ 4. Section 211 of the uniform justice court act, as amended by chapter 685 of the laws of 1977, is amended to read as follows: § 211. Joinder of causes of action in complaint; effect on jurisdiction.
Where several causes of action are asserted in the complaint, and each of them would be within the jurisdiction of the court if sued upon separately, the court shall have jurisdiction of the action. In such case judgment may be rendered by the court in excess of [$3000] $5000 if such excess result solely because of such joinder.
§ 5. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.