Magisterial District Courts in Philadelphia
Magisterial District Courts are Pennsylvania small claims courts. These courts have limited jurisdiction and generally handle conflicts between people over smaller amounts of money.
The amount in dispute must be $12,000 or under.
Philadelphia County does not have Magisterial District Courts. Many cases that might otherwise be handled by a Magisterial District Court are instead covered by Municipal Courts.
Proceedings in the Magisterial District Courts found in Pennsylvania’s other counties, are not as formal as those in Municipal Court or Common Pleas Court. Often individuals handle their own cases without attorneys.
Some examples of cases that would be handled in a Magisterial District Court:
- Disputes between landlords and tenants.
- Disputes over civil matters where the dollar amount in conflict is $12,000 or less.
- Summary offenses
- Municipal ordinance violations
Magisterial District Courts are presided over by judges who are lawyers or people who have completed a required certification course. They may administer oaths and perform marriages. If you’ve been called to any one of the many Pennsylvania small claims courts, call Mike Fienman today at (215) 839-9529.
