Small claims cases in the city and county of Los Angeles go to the Los Angeles Superior Court, which hears civil cases asking for $12,500 or less in its small claims division [1]. There are no lawyers, juries or rules of evidence at the hearing, and you don’t need to be a U.S. citizen to sue or be sued there [1]. This guide covers how the process works locally; for the statewide rules on limits, filing fees, service deadlines and appeals, see BestCalifornia’s California small claims court guide.
At a glance
- Court
- Los Angeles Superior Court, Small Claims [1]
- Limit
- $12,500 [1]
- Required step
- Register for Online Dispute Resolution before the hearing [1]
- Appear by phone or video
- Free for all litigants [3]
- Evidence
- To the court and other side at least 10 days before the hearing [3]
- Hearing set
- Usually 20 to 70 days after filing [3]
- Free help
- LA County Small Claims Advisor, DCBA: 800-593-8222 [4][5]
Which courthouse to file in
LA County’s Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA) says you can file at the court nearest to where the contract was signed, where the person you’re suing lives, or where the business is located, or where the damage or injury happened [3]. To find the courthouse, enter a city, community or ZIP code in the court’s Filing Court Locator [2].
Before you file
Check the time limit. DCBA lists these deadlines; if you file too late, the judge can dismiss the case [3]:
| Type of claim | File within |
|---|---|
| Written contract | 4 years from the date it was broken |
| Oral contract | 2 years from the date it was broken |
| Personal injury | 2 years from the injury, or from when you discovered it |
| Property damage | 3 years from the damage |
| Fraud | 3 years from when you discovered it |
Name the defendant correctly on the Plaintiff’s Claim (form SC-100). DCBA warns that a wrong name can keep you from collecting [3].
Get free help. DCBA’s Small Claims Advisors explain how to sue and how to defend a case, and post sample completed forms, videos and webinars [4]. Call DCBA at 800-593-8222 from within Los Angeles County [5].
Filing and the steps LA adds
- File the SC-100 with the clerk, in person or through the court’s Small Claims eFiling service. You can also book a clerk’s office appointment online [1][3].
- Pay the filing fee to “Los Angeles Superior Court,” or file a Request to Waive Court Fees if you can’t afford it [6].
- Serve the defendant and file proof. If a Sheriff or registered process server serves the papers, they file the Proof of Service for you; otherwise file form SC-104 [3]. The Sheriff charges $50 to serve a Plaintiff’s Claim [6].
- Register for Online Dispute Resolution (ODR). The court requires every small claims litigant to register for Small Claims ODR before the hearing [1].
- Send your evidence at least 10 days before the hearing (see below) [3].
Your evidence, and appearing remotely
Whether you appear in person, by phone or by video, you must give copies of your evidence to the court and to every other party at least 10 days before the hearing [3]. Two ways to do it [3]:
- Online, through the court’s Digital Evidence System. If you enter the other party’s first name, last name and mobile phone number, you don’t have to mail paper copies to the court or to them.
- By mail, using forms LASC CIV 278 and LASC CIV 279, sent to the court and the other side, with proof from the post office that you mailed it.
Since September 2, 2021, all small claims litigants can appear by phone or video for free [3]. If you need an interpreter, Spanish interpreters are available at every courthouse without a request; for any other language, request one ahead of time through the court’s Small Claims interpreter portal [7].
Postponing the hearing
Hearings are usually scheduled 20 to 70 days out, so pick a date that leaves time to serve the defendant [3]. If you haven’t served the defendant yet, a postponement (form SC-150) is free; otherwise it costs $10. File it at least 10 days before the hearing, and expect the court to grant one postponement per side in most cases [3].
What the court and Sheriff charge
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Request for postponement (after service, or by a defendant) | $10 |
| Motion to vacate | $20 |
| Notice of appeal | $75 |
| Judgment debtor hearing | $60 |
| Writ of execution | $40 |
| Abstract of judgment | $40 |
| Sheriff: serve a Plaintiff's or Defendant's Claim | $50 |
| Sheriff: earnings withholding | $45 |
| Sheriff: bank levy | $50 |
| Sheriff: till tap | $125 |
If you’re being sued
Read the Order to Go to Court for the date and courthouse. You still need to register for ODR before the hearing [1], send your own evidence at least 10 days ahead [3], and either appear in person or by phone or video [3]. If the person suing you owes you money, you can file a Defendant’s Claim; the state guide explains the deadline. DCBA’s advisors help defendants too [4].
This guide is general information, not legal advice for your situation.
Sources
- Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles: Small Claims Division
- Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles: Filing Court Locator
- LA County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs: How to Sue in Small Claims Court
- LA County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs: Small Claims Court Advisors
- LA County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs: Contact Us
- LA County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs: Small Claims Court Fees
- Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles: Interpreter Request, Small Claims
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Where do I file a small claims case in Los Angeles?
In the Los Angeles Superior Court courthouse that serves the area where the contract was signed, the defendant lives, the business is located, or the damage or injury happened. Enter the city or ZIP code in the court's Filing Court Locator to find the courthouse.
Do I have to go to court in person for small claims in Los Angeles?
No. LA County's Department of Consumer and Business Affairs says that since September 2, 2021, all small claims litigants can appear by phone or video for free. Every litigant must also register for the court's Small Claims Online Dispute Resolution before the hearing.
When do I have to turn in my evidence for an LA small claims hearing?
At least 10 days before the hearing, to the court and every other party, whether you appear in person, by phone or by video. You can upload it to the court's Digital Evidence System or mail it with forms LASC CIV 278 and 279.
How much does it cost to collect a small claims judgment in LA County?
The court charges $40 to issue a writ of execution or an abstract of judgment and $60 for a judgment debtor hearing. The Sheriff charges $45 for an earnings withholding order and $50 for a bank levy.