How does small claims court work in Massachusetts?

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1. Jurisdictional Limit    Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 218, § 21 caps small claims at $7,000, with an exception for property damage claims arising from motor vehicle accidents, which have no dollar limit.    2. Court Name    Small Claims Session of the District Court, Boston Municipal Court, or Housing Court (depending on subject matter and location).    3. Filing Fee    Filing fees scale with claim size: $40 (up to $500), $50 ($501-$2,000), $100 ($2,001-$5,000), $150 (over $5,000). Indigent plaintiffs may file an Affidavit of Indigency under G.L. c. 261, § 27A.    4. Filing the Claim    File a Statement of Small Claim and Notice (Form SC-1) in the court division covering the defendant's residence, place of business, or where the cause of action arose (Mass. Unif. Sm. Cl. R. 2). Service is performed by the court via first-class mail; if returned, the plaintiff may use certified mail or constable service.    5. Defendant's Response    The court sets a hearing date (often called the "first court date") 30-60 days after filing. No written answer is required; defendants may file written claims/counterclaims at or before the hearing. Failure to appear results in default judgment.    6. Attorney Representation    Attorneys are permitted on both sides (Mass. Unif. Sm. Cl. R. 4(c)). Corporations and LLCs may appear through any officer, director, or employee — not solely through counsel.    7. Hearing    Hearings before a clerk-magistrate or judge are informal; the Massachusetts Rules of Evidence do not apply (Rule 7(g)). Many sessions begin with mediation by trained volunteers.    8. Judgment & Collection    Critically, by filing in small claims the plaintiff WAIVES the right to appeal an adverse judgment. Only defendants may appeal to a 6-person jury or judge trial de novo within 10 days (G.L. c. 218, § 23). Collection tools include supplementary process (debtor's exam) under G.L. c. 224, wage garnishment via trustee process (G.L. c. 246 — limited to 25% of disposable earnings), and execution against real and personal property.    9. Statute of Limitations    Standard SOLs apply: 6 years for contracts (G.L. c. 260, § 2), 3 years for personal injury and property damage (G.L. c. 260, § 2A), and 3 years for fraud (G.L. c. 260, § 2A).  This is legal information, not legal advice.