New York small claims — responding to a claim

About this state

New York small claims are filed in the City Court, Town Court, or Village Court covering where the defendant lives, works, or has a place of business. In New York City, each borough's Civil Court has a Small Claims Part.

• Claim limits differ between New York City courts and town/village courts — confirm with the clerk.
• Many small claims sessions are held in the evening to accommodate work schedules.
• New York courts frequently offer free volunteer arbitration as a faster alternative to a judge.
• Corporations generally cannot file a small claim as the plaintiff — ask about the commercial claims part instead.