Courts · Small Claims
Small Claims Court Limit in Mississippi
The most you can sue for in Mississippi 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 Mississippi
The claim ceiling, how the filing fee is set, and whether lawyers are allowed at the hearing.
| Maximum claim | $3,500 |
| How the limit works | One statewide limit |
| Filing fee | ~$84–$100 set at the county level; a second defendant at the same address adds a few dollars in most counties |
| Lawyers at the hearing | Allowed |
| Statute / court rule | Miss. Code §9-11-9 |
Mississippi has no separate "small claims" court. These cases are the civil docket of justice court, where the judge hears claims up to $3,500.
Where to file in Mississippi
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 Mississippi's official court self-help resource.
→ Mississippi Judiciary (justice court)What Mississippi filers get wrong
Mississippi does not run a court labeled "small claims." Instead, the small-dollar civil docket lives in justice court, and the cap is $3,500 under Miss. Code §9-11-9. The statute gives justice court judges jurisdiction over debts, damages, or personal property "where the principal of the debt, the amount of the demand, or the value of the property sought to be recovered shall not exceed Three Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($3,500.00)." That $3,500 ceiling is one of the lowest in the country, and it has held since a 2008 amendment. One thing that surprises people: the filing fee is high relative to the cap, often $84 to $100, because counties set justice-court civil fees locally. Lawyers are allowed on either side, though the process is built for people representing themselves.
Common questions
What is the small claims limit in Mississippi?
Mississippi justice courts hear civil claims up to $3,500 under Miss. Code §9-11-9. There is no separate small claims court; the justice court civil docket serves that role.
Where do I file a small claim in Mississippi?
In the justice court of the county where the defendant lives or where the debt or obligation arose. You file a sworn statement of claim with the justice court clerk, and the court sets a hearing.
Why is the Mississippi filing fee so high for a $3,500 cap?
Justice-court civil filing fees are set by each county and commonly run $84 to $100, which is large next to the $3,500 limit. A second defendant at the same address usually adds only a few dollars. Confirm the exact fee with the county clerk before filing.
Can a business sue in Mississippi justice court?
Yes. Businesses can bring civil claims in justice court within the same $3,500 limit. Lawyers are permitted for either side, but many parties appear on their own because the process is informal.
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.