Courts · Small Claims
Small Claims Court Limit in Connecticut
The most you can sue for in Connecticut small claims — with the filing-fee range and whether a lawyer is allowed, cited to the statute.
The limit, the fee & who can appear in Connecticut
The claim ceiling, how the filing fee is set, and whether lawyers are allowed at the hearing.
| Maximum claim | $5,000 |
| How the limit works | One statewide limit |
| Filing fee | $95Uniform statewide uniform statewide fee to open a small claims case; added to the judgment if you win |
| Lawyers at the hearing | Allowed |
| Statute / court rule | Conn. Gen. Stat. §51-15; Conn. Practice Book §24 |
The general small claims limit is $5,000. Two exceptions raise it. A home improvement contract claim can go up to $15,000, and a residential tenant suing to recover a withheld security deposit has no dollar cap. In a security deposit case the court may award up to twice the deposit even if the total tops $5,000. Libel and slander claims cannot be brought as small claims.
Where to file in Connecticut
A reference page, not a filing walkthrough — here's the official resource for procedure.
This page is a reference for the dollar limit, fee, and whether a lawyer is allowed — not a step-by-step filing guide. For the forms, where to file, and how service works, use Connecticut's official court self-help resource.
→ Connecticut Judicial Branch (small claims FAQ)What Connecticut filers get wrong
Connecticut sets its general small claims limit at $5,000, under Conn. Gen. Stat. §51-15 and the Practice Book small claims rules. We confirmed the $5,000 figure and the $95 filing fee on the Connecticut Judicial Branch small claims FAQ. Two exceptions matter. A home improvement contract claim can reach $15,000, and a residential tenant suing for a withheld security deposit faces no dollar cap at all. In a security deposit case the court may award up to twice the deposit even when the total runs past $5,000, so a tenant is not forced into a higher court to recover double damages. Libel and slander cannot be filed as small claims. Lawyers are allowed on either side, but the forms are built for people representing themselves, and most do.
Common questions
What is the small claims limit in Connecticut?
The general limit is $5,000 under Conn. Gen. Stat. §51-15. A home improvement contract claim can go up to $15,000, and a tenant suing for a withheld security deposit has no dollar cap.
Is there really no limit for security deposit claims in Connecticut?
For a residential tenant reclaiming a withheld security deposit, yes. The court may award up to twice the deposit even if the total is greater than $5,000, so the usual small claims cap does not apply to that type of case.
How much is the filing fee for small claims in Connecticut?
It costs $95 to open a small claims case, the same statewide. If you win, that fee is added to the judgment against the defendant.
Can I use a lawyer in Connecticut small claims court?
Yes. Lawyers are allowed on either side, though the process and forms are designed so that people can represent themselves without one. Note that libel and slander claims cannot be brought as small claims at all.
Not legal advicePlainStatute provides plain-language summaries of public law for general information only. This is not legal advice. Statutes change; always confirm current requirements with the official source linked above before acting.