What small claims is for
The small claims procedure is a simplified way to recover a sum of money — currently up to one million pesos — without the cost and delay of an ordinary case. Its defining feature: lawyers are not allowed to appear for the parties, which keeps it fast and cheap. It is designed for people to represent themselves.
What claims qualify
Small claims covers pure money claims: unpaid loans, the price of goods or services rendered, unpaid rent, a dishonored check, or a written contract to pay. It does not cover claims that need the court to do more than order payment — recovering possession of property, enforcing a right, or anything requiring damages to be proven at large belongs in an ordinary case.
How the process works
You file a Statement of Claim on the official form with your evidence attached, pay the docket fee, and the court directs the defendant to respond. There are no lengthy pleadings and no formal trial: the court holds a single hearing, encourages settlement first, and if none is reached decides the case, usually rendering judgment within twenty-four hours of the hearing. The decision is final and unappealable. Where the parties live in the same city or municipality, barangay conciliation may be required first, and a firm demand letter often settles the matter before filing.
Beyond the limit
If your claim exceeds one million pesos or is not a pure money claim, it proceeds as an ordinary or summary civil case — see how to file a civil case. Timing still matters, because the right to sue itself can prescribe.
Frequently asked
What is the limit for small claims?
The small claims procedure currently covers money claims of up to one million pesos. A claim above that amount cannot be filed as a small claim and must proceed as an ordinary or summary civil case instead.
Do I need a lawyer for small claims?
No, and in fact lawyers are not allowed to appear for the parties at the hearing. The procedure is built for self-representation using simple official forms, which is what keeps small claims fast and inexpensive. You may still consult a lawyer to prepare beforehand.
What kinds of claims can I file as small claims?
Pure money claims: unpaid loans, the unpaid price of goods or services, unpaid rent, a bounced check, or a written promise to pay. Claims that require the court to do more than order the payment of money, such as recovering property, do not qualify.
How long does a small claims case take?
It is fast by design. After filing the Statement of Claim and the defendant's response, the court holds a single hearing and generally decides the case within twenty-four hours of that hearing. The whole matter is usually resolved in a matter of weeks to a few months.
Can I appeal a small claims decision?
No. The decision in a small claims case is final, executory, and unappealable. That finality is part of the design, so the parties should come to the hearing fully prepared with their documents and evidence.