What's happening
This bill raises the small claims court monetary limit to $10,000 in New York City, district, city, and justice courts.
Why it matters
Greater Access to Justice for Larger Disputes. By raising the small claims court limit to $10,000, more individuals and small businesses can resolve moderately sized disputes without hiring expensive legal representation or navigating complex higher courts.
Potential for Faster and Cheaper Resolutions. Small claims courts are designed to be user-friendly, with simplified procedures and lower costs. Increasing the limit means litigants with higher-value claims can benefit from these efficiencies, saving time and money.
Impacts on Court Caseloads and Resources. The change could lead to an increase in the number of higher-value cases filed in small claims courts, potentially straining court resources and requiring adjustments in how cases are managed.
Broader Eligibility Across Different Courts. The amendment ensures consistency by applying the $10,000 limit to small claims in New York City, district, city, and justice courts, broadening access across various jurisdictions and providing a uniform standard statewide.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Raise Small Claims Limit
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to judiciary
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to judiciary
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 61–0
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.60
- Referred to judiciary
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Raise Small Claims Limit
In Assembly Committee · Judiciary · Sponsor Michael DenDekker
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1832
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 16, 2019
Introduced by Sens. GIANARIS, BRESLIN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Judiciary
AN ACT to amend the New York city civil court act, the uniform district court act, the uniform city court act, and the uniform justice court act, in relation to civil jurisdictional limits
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 1801 of the New York city civil court act, as amended by chapter 65 of the laws of 2010, is amended to read as follows:
§ 1801. Small claims defined. The term "small claim" or "small claims" as used in this act shall mean and include any cause of action for money only not in excess of [five] ten thousand dollars exclusive of interest and costs, or any action commenced by a party aggrieved by an arbitration award rendered pursuant to part 137 of the rules of the chief administrator of the courts (22 NYCRR Part 137) in which the amount in dispute does not exceed [five] ten thousand dollars, provided that the defendant either resides, or has an office for the transaction of business or a regular employment, within the city of New York.
§ 2. Section 1801 of the uniform district court act, as amended by chapter 65 of the laws of 2010, is amended to read as follows: § 1801. Small claims defined.
The term "small claim" or "small claims" as used in this act shall mean and include any cause of action for money only not in excess of [five] ten thousand dollars exclusive of interest and costs, or any action commenced by a party aggrieved by an arbitration award rendered pursuant to part one hundred thirty-seven of the rules of the chief administrator of the courts (22 NYCRR Part 137) in which the amount in dispute does not exceed [five] ten thousand dollars, provided that the defendant either resides, or has an office for the transaction of busi-
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04059-01-9
S. 1832 2
ness or a regular employment, within a district of the court in the county.
§ 3. Section 1801 of the uniform city court act, as amended by chapter 65 of the laws of 2010, is amended to read as follows: § 1801. Small claims defined.
The term "small claim" or "small claims" as used in this act shall mean and include any cause of action for money only not in excess of [five] ten thousand dollars exclusive of interest and costs, or any action commenced by a party aggrieved by an arbitration award rendered pursuant to part 137 of the rules of the chief administrator of the courts (22 NYCRR Part 137) in which the amount in dispute does not exceed [$5,000,] ten thousand dollars provided that the defendant either resides, or has an office for the transaction of business or a regular employment, within the county.
§ 4. Section 1801 of the uniform justice court act, as amended by chapter 76 of the laws of 1994, is amended to read as follows: § 1801. Small claims defined.
The term "small claim" or "small claims" as used in this act shall mean and include any cause of action for money only not in excess of [three] ten thousand dollars exclusive of interest and costs, provided that the defendant either resides, or has an office for the transaction of business or a regular employment, within the municipality where the court is located. However, where a judge of the county court, pursuant to subdivision (g) of section three hundred twenty-five of the civil practice law and rules, transfers a small claim from the town or village court having jurisdiction over the matter to another town or village court within the same county, the court to which it is transferred shall have jurisdiction to determine the claim.
§ 5. This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law and shall apply to actions or proceedings filed on or after such date.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the New York city civil court act, the uniform district court act, the uniform city court act, and the uniform justice court act, in relation to civil jurisdictional limits
Purpose
To raise the civil jurisdiction limit, so that cases in small claims court can be made up to ten thousand dollars exclusive of interest and costs.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends Section 1801 of the New York City civil court act, as amended by chapter 65 of the laws of 2010 to include a ten thousand dollars civil jurisdiction limit in New York City Civil Court
Section 2 amends section 1801 of the Uniform District Court Act to define "small claims" as an action with an amount in controversy not exceeding ten thousand dollars.
Section 3 amends section 1801 of the Uniform City Court Act to define "small claims" as an action with an amount in controversy not exceeding ten thousand dollars.
Section 4 amends section 1801 of the Uniform Justice Court Act to define "small claims" as an action with an amount in controversy not exceeding ten thousand dollars.
Justification
The current civil court jurisdiction limit is five thousand dollars. Once a plaintiff damages exceeds that limit, the plaintiff must file for compensation in a higher court that usually requires legal counsel. Also due to recent changes in the economy and the cost of living many items hold more value and thus more and more cases exceed the five thousand dollar threshold. Therefore the current civil jurisdiction should be raised to ten thousand dollars to accommodate the current cost of living. Many plaintiffs tend to end up with less money when they have to bring their small claims to a higher court because they have to pay for legal representation in County or Supreme Court.
Legislative history
2018:Passed Senate,Diedin Assembly Judiciary
2017:Passed Senate,Diedin Assembly Judiciary
2016:Passed Senate,Diedin Assembly Judiciary
2015:Passed Senate,Diedin Assembly Judiciary
2014: Senate Bill 6894 (Gianaris) - Passed Senate
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law and shall apply to actions or proceeding filed on or after such date.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.