What is the small claims limit in Alabama?

Alabama small claims is a division of the District Court under Ala. Code Title 12, Chapter 12 and the Alabama Small Claims Rules.

1. Monetary Limit — Ala. Code § 12-12-31 sets the small claims limit at $6,000, exclusive of interest and costs (raised from $3,000 in 2007). District Court itself has jurisdiction up to $20,000 (§ 12-12-30) on the regular civil docket.

2. Filing Fee — Sliding scale: $50 for claims up to $1,500, $80 for $1,500-$3,000, $210 for $3,000-$6,000 (Ala. Code § 12-19-71). Service of process is approximately $40 per defendant.

3. Lawyers — Permitted at all stages. Corporations and LLCs may be represented by an officer, employee, or member in small claims (Ala. Small Claims R. K).

4. Statute of Limitations — Standard Alabama SOLs: 6 years for written contracts (Ala. Code § 6-2-34), 6 years for oral contracts (§ 6-2-34(9)), 2 years for personal injury (§ 6-2-38(l)), 2 years for fraud (§ 6-2-3), 6 years for property damage and conversion (§ 6-2-34(6)).

5. Where to File — District Court of the county where (a) defendant resides at the time of filing or (b) the cause of action arose (Ala. Code § 6-3-2).

6. Service — By sheriff, certified mail, or court-approved process server. Defendant must be served at least 14 days before the trial date (Ala. Small Claims R. C).

7. Hearing — Informal trial before the District Court judge. Alabama Rules of Evidence apply in relaxed form. No jury trials in District Court small claims.

8. Appeal Rights — Either party may appeal de novo to the Circuit Court within 14 days of judgment (Ala. Code § 12-12-71; Ala. Small Claims R. M). Appellant must pay the Circuit Court filing fee and post a security bond. Case is retried fresh under the regular Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure, and a jury may be demanded.

This is legal information, not legal advice.