Louisiana Small Claims Court (2026): Limit, Fees and How to File
How small claims court works in Louisiana: the dollar limit, filing fees, serving the other side, the hearing, appeals and collecting your money — each answer linked to the court rule or statute.
Quick answers for Louisiana
- Small claims limit
- $5,000 in justice of the peace courts and in city-court small claims divisions, not counting interest, court costs, attorney fees or penalties. A claim may not be split to get under the limit. La. C.C.P. art. 4911; La. R.S. 13:5202(A)
- Filing fee
- Justice of the peace court: generally about $130 in court costs to file a new case, plus $20 for each additional defendant; other costs may apply (full list in R.S. 13:2590). City-court small claims division: $35 per defendant by statute, up to $20 per additional service or subpoena. Costs may be waived for a party who cannot pay under C.C.P. arts. 5181-5188. AG Guide to Louisiana Justice of the Peace Courts; La. R.S. 13:5205
- Are lawyers allowed?
- Yes. Parties may appear without a lawyer or hire one. In a city-court small claims division, a local court rule may limit the role of attorneys. AG Guide to Louisiana Justice of the Peace Courts; La. R.S. 13:5208(A)
- Appeals
- Justice of the peace court: the losing party may appeal within 15 days from the judgment (or service of notice of judgment, when required) by filing suit for a new trial (trial de novo) in the parish court, or the district court if there is no parish court; no further appeal is allowed. City-court small claims division: a plaintiff who files there waives the right to appeal, and a defendant waives it unless the defendant moves the case to the ordinary civil docket within the time to answer. An arbitrator's award in small claims cannot be appealed. AG Guide to Louisiana Justice of the Peace Courts; La. R.S. 13:5209; La. R.S. 13:5207(B)
Court: Justice of the Peace Court (in rural areas and towns without a city court) or the Small Claims Division of a City Court. Last verified: 2026-10-24.
How to file a small claims case in Louisiana
- Decide which court hears your case: a city court's small claims division where there is a city court, or a justice of the peace court in rural areas and towns without one; the claim must be $5,000 or less.
- File your claim orally or in writing with the court where the defendant lives, or another proper venue such as where the contract was made, and pay the filing costs or request a waiver if you cannot pay.
- Give the court the defendant's correct name and address so the citation can be served by the constable, sheriff, marshal or certified mail.
- If you are sued, read the citation carefully: appear on the trial date, or file an answer within 10 days if no date is set, and note the 10-day window to move a city-court small claims case to the regular docket.
- Bring documents, photos and witnesses to the informal hearing; relevant evidence, including hearsay the judge finds reliable, may be considered.
- If you lose in justice of the peace court, you may file for a new trial in parish or district court within 15 days; in a city-court small claims division the right to appeal is generally waived.
- If the judgment is not paid, ask the court about enforcement such as wage garnishment.
Can you use small claims court?
| Small claims limit | $5,000 in justice of the peace courts and in city-court small claims divisions, not counting interest, court costs, attorney fees or penalties. A claim may not be split to get under the limit. City-court small claims limit: https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=77961 (no more than ten plaintiffs per case; no class actions). In the City Court of East St. Tammany the small claims limit equals the justice of the peace limit (R.S. 13:5202(E)). |
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| Who can file | In justice of the peace court the plaintiff must be at least 18 or an emancipated minor; a younger person sues through a parent or guardian. An authorized officer, shareholder, agent, representative or employee may file for a corporation or other entity. In a city-court small claims division, no more than ten plaintiffs may join in one case, courts may set mass-filing limits by local rule, and the small claims procedure does not apply to state agencies. R.S. 13:5210: https://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=77970 |
| Are lawyers allowed? | Yes. Parties may appear without a lawyer or hire one. In a city-court small claims division, a local court rule may limit the role of attorneys. |
Filing your case
| Where to file | Generally where the defendant lives. Exceptions allow filing where the offense occurred, where a contract was executed, or where an open account was created. If filed in the wrong place, the defendant can ask that the case be dismissed or transferred. |
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| Official forms | The Louisiana Supreme Court's Uniform Forms Committee for City and Parish Courts posts non-mandatory template forms, including Guidelines of Small Claims Division, a Statement of Claim and Citation/Small Claims, and a Notice of Small Claims Court Hearing Date. Some courts may accept or require these forms while others may not, so check with the city or parish court where you will file. |
| Filing fee | Justice of the peace court: generally about $130 in court costs to file a new case, plus $20 for each additional defendant; other costs may apply (full list in R.S. 13:2590). City-court small claims division: $35 per defendant by statute, up to $20 per additional service or subpoena. Costs may be waived for a party who cannot pay under C.C.P. arts. 5181-5188. JP cost figure from the AG guide: https://ag.louisiana.gov/Files/Shared/Documents/AGuideToLaJpcCourt.pdf. Confirm current charges with the court clerk. |
| Serving the defendant | Justice of the peace court: the constable serves the citation and claim in person or by leaving it at the defendant's home with a resident of suitable age, or it may be sent by certified mail, return receipt. City-court small claims: citations are generally sent by certified mail, return receipt requested; a refused or unclaimed letter counts as domiciliary service, and regular service by sheriff, marshal or constable may be used if no receipt is returned or on request. The plaintiff must supply a valid address. |
Before and at the hearing
| When the hearing happens | In justice of the peace court the citation usually gives a hearing date; if the court does not set a trial date, the defendant must answer within 10 days of service. No fixed number of days between filing and the hearing is stated. |
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| Does the defendant file an answer? | Justice of the peace court: if a trial date is set, the defendant must appear; if no trial date is set, the defendant must file an answer within 10 calendar days of service or risk a default judgment. City-court small claims: the citation warns that the defendant may move the case to the regular civil docket by filing written notice within 10 days of receiving it. |
| Counterclaims | A counterclaim is called a 'reconventional demand.' In justice of the peace court it may not exceed $5,000 and is filed before the court date with a $30 fee. In a city-court small claims case, a defendant with a claim over $5,000 may file it in a court of competent jurisdiction before trial, file an affidavit with the small claims judge and pay a $10 transmittal fee; the small claims case is then transferred and the two are tried together. R.S. 13:5206 was amended by Acts 2026, No. 127. |
| Mediation | In a city-court small claims division, the judge may try to settle the case and may refer it to an attorney-arbitrator if the parties agree in advance to be bound. Any party may request arbitration in writing within 10 days after service; another party may block it by objecting in writing within 10 days. Arbitration costs are paid by the parties, and the award is binding and not appealable. R.S. 13:5207: https://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=77966 |
| Interpreters | Louisiana law requires the judiciary to provide interpreters free of charge in civil and criminal court proceedings, and interpreter costs are not charged to the parties. The bench card lists proceedings before a magistrate, commissioner, district court judge, appellate court or the Supreme Court; ask the justice of the peace or city court how to request an interpreter. |
After the decision
| Appeals | Justice of the peace court: the losing party may appeal within 15 days from the judgment (or service of notice of judgment, when required) by filing suit for a new trial (trial de novo) in the parish court, or the district court if there is no parish court; no further appeal is allowed. City-court small claims division: a plaintiff who files there waives the right to appeal, and a defendant waives it unless the defendant moves the case to the ordinary civil docket within the time to answer. An arbitrator's award in small claims cannot be appealed. JP appeal details: https://ag.louisiana.gov/Files/Shared/Documents/AGuideToLaJpcCourt.pdf |
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| Collecting your judgment | The court does not collect for the winner. If the judgment is not paid, the creditor can use enforcement tools such as garnishment of wages. A city-court small claims judgment becomes final and enforceable 3 days after it is signed (or notice is mailed), unless a new-trial motion is filed or the judge orders installment payments; after that, all Code of Civil Procedure enforcement remedies are available. |
Deadline to sue
3 years ('liberative prescription') for an action for arrearages of rent, running separately from each installment's due date. Other lease claims, such as property damage or breach of other lease obligations, generally fall under the 10-year personal-action period. The same rules apply to written and oral leases. La. C.C. arts. 3494(2), 3495, 3499
Official forms and help
Suing a landlord or tenant in Louisiana
Landlords and tenants can bring rent, damage and security deposit claims of $5,000 or less in justice of the peace court or a city-court small claims division. Justice of the peace courts cannot hear cases involving title to immovable property.
- Louisiana security deposit demand letter (send before you sue)
- Louisiana security deposit law
- Tenant lawyers and free legal aid in Louisiana
Louisiana small claims FAQ
What is the small claims limit in Louisiana?
$5,000 in justice of the peace courts and in city-court small claims divisions, not counting interest, court costs, attorney fees or penalties. A claim may not be split to get under the limit.
Who can file a small claims case in Louisiana?
In justice of the peace court the plaintiff must be at least 18 or an emancipated minor; a younger person sues through a parent or guardian. An authorized officer, shareholder, agent, representative or employee may file for a corporation or other entity. In a city-court small claims division, no more than ten plaintiffs may join in one case, courts may set mass-filing limits by local rule, and the small claims procedure does not apply to state agencies.
Can you bring a lawyer to small claims court in Louisiana?
Yes. Parties may appear without a lawyer or hire one. In a city-court small claims division, a local court rule may limit the role of attorneys.
Where do I file a small claims case in Louisiana?
Generally where the defendant lives. Exceptions allow filing where the offense occurred, where a contract was executed, or where an open account was created. If filed in the wrong place, the defendant can ask that the case be dismissed or transferred.
How much does it cost to file in small claims court in Louisiana?
Justice of the peace court: generally about $130 in court costs to file a new case, plus $20 for each additional defendant; other costs may apply (full list in R.S. 13:2590). City-court small claims division: $35 per defendant by statute, up to $20 per additional service or subpoena. Costs may be waived for a party who cannot pay under C.C.P. arts. 5181-5188.
How do I serve the other side in a Louisiana small claims case?
Justice of the peace court: the constable serves the citation and claim in person or by leaving it at the defendant's home with a resident of suitable age, or it may be sent by certified mail, return receipt. City-court small claims: citations are generally sent by certified mail, return receipt requested; a refused or unclaimed letter counts as domiciliary service, and regular service by sheriff, marshal or constable may be used if no receipt is returned or on request. The plaintiff must supply a valid address.
How long does a small claims case take in Louisiana?
In justice of the peace court the citation usually gives a hearing date; if the court does not set a trial date, the defendant must answer within 10 days of service.
Does a defendant have to file an answer in Louisiana small claims court?
Justice of the peace court: if a trial date is set, the defendant must appear; if no trial date is set, the defendant must file an answer within 10 calendar days of service or risk a default judgment. City-court small claims: the citation warns that the defendant may move the case to the regular civil docket by filing written notice within 10 days of receiving it.
Can the defendant file a counterclaim in Louisiana small claims court?
A counterclaim is called a 'reconventional demand.' In justice of the peace court it may not exceed $5,000 and is filed before the court date with a $30 fee. In a city-court small claims case, a defendant with a claim over $5,000 may file it in a court of competent jurisdiction before trial, file an affidavit with the small claims judge and pay a $10 transmittal fee; the small claims case is then transferred and the two are tried together.
Can you appeal a small claims decision in Louisiana?
Justice of the peace court: the losing party may appeal within 15 days from the judgment (or service of notice of judgment, when required) by filing suit for a new trial (trial de novo) in the parish court, or the district court if there is no parish court; no further appeal is allowed. City-court small claims division: a plaintiff who files there waives the right to appeal, and a defendant waives it unless the defendant moves the case to the ordinary civil docket within the time to answer. An arbitrator's award in small claims cannot be appealed.
How do I collect a small claims judgment in Louisiana?
The court does not collect for the winner. If the judgment is not paid, the creditor can use enforcement tools such as garnishment of wages. A city-court small claims judgment becomes final and enforceable 3 days after it is signed (or notice is mailed), unless a new-trial motion is filed or the judge orders installment payments; after that, all Code of Civil Procedure enforcement remedies are available.
Is mediation required in Louisiana small claims court?
In a city-court small claims division, the judge may try to settle the case and may refer it to an attorney-arbitrator if the parties agree in advance to be bound. Any party may request arbitration in writing within 10 days after service; another party may block it by objecting in writing within 10 days. Arbitration costs are paid by the parties, and the award is binding and not appealable.
Can I get an interpreter in Louisiana small claims court?
Louisiana law requires the judiciary to provide interpreters free of charge in civil and criminal court proceedings, and interpreter costs are not charged to the parties.
Where can I get small claims court forms in Louisiana?
The Louisiana Supreme Court's Uniform Forms Committee for City and Parish Courts posts non-mandatory template forms, including Guidelines of Small Claims Division, a Statement of Claim and Citation/Small Claims, and a Notice of Small Claims Court Hearing Date. Some courts may accept or require these forms while others may not, so check with the city or parish court where you will file.
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General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.