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We empower you to manage your case with confidence. Our platform provides the complete toolkit for success in South African Small Claims Court, giving you the power of a legal professional for a fraction of the cost.
Generate professionally formatted Letters of Demand, Summons, and Defence documents online in minutes. Our guided tool ensures you include all the necessary information.
Navigate the SCC process with our comprehensive guides, blog articles, and resource pages. We demystify the rules and procedures so you know what to expect.
Get assistance with Sheriff delivery to ensure your documents are served correctly and your case proceeds smoothly.
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Feeling unsure about how the Small Claims Court actually works? Don't worry, we've broken it down into manageable steps. Follow along to understand the journey from starting your claim to presenting it in court. Our tools will help you with the paperwork at key stages!
Officially tell the defendant what the problem is and what you want them to do, with a clear deadline.
Deliver the letter to the defendant via hand-delivery or registered post. Keep proof of delivery - you'll need this later!
Give the defendant 14 days from when they received the letter to respond or fix the issue.
If the Letter of Demand doesn't work, file a small claims summons - the official court document that formally details your claim and evidence.
Submit your completed Summons to the court. The clerk will check it, stamp it officially, assign a case number, and set a hearing date.
Formally 'serve' the stamped Summons on the defendant, usually through the Sheriff of the Court. Proof of delivery is essential.
Present your case to the Commissioner with all your documents. Arrive early and clearly explain your side of the story.
This is a brief overview. For a detailed walkthrough of each phase, from drafting your documents to enforcing a judgment, see our Complete Step-by-Step Guide to the SCC Process →
Ever had a money disagreement under R20,000 (an "under R20 000 claim") and felt stuck because going to a regular court seemed too expensive and complicated? That's exactly why the Small Claims Court (SCC) exists in South Africa! Set up by the Small Claims Courts Act 61 of 1984, it's a special court designed to handle smaller civil cases quickly and affordably. The SCC process is structured to be user-friendly, and - importantly - generally proceeds *without* needing lawyers. Think of it as making justice accessible for everyday people and sole proprietors.
The Small Claims Court was created in the 1980s to give ordinary people and businesses a fair, low-cost way to resolve disputes under R20,000 without needing lawyers. The court is less formal than regular courts, with relaxed rules and commissioners who actively help understand your situation.
You're in charge of your own case, which keeps costs down. The process uses straightforward forms and friendly court clerks are available to help with procedural steps. Most cases resolve much faster than in regular courts, often in just weeks rather than months or years.
Perfect for sorting out unpaid debts, issues with goods or services you paid for, minor property damage, and similar everyday disputes up to R20,000. You'll save money on legal fees, get your matter resolved faster, and navigate a system designed specifically for regular people rather than legal professionals.
For a complete breakdown of who is eligible and what you can claim, read our Ultimate Guide to the Small Claims Court →Got a dispute under R20,000 and wondering if the Small Claims Court can help? Chances are, it can! It's designed to be accessible for everyday disagreements. Let's break down what kinds of issues you can bring to the court and figure out *which* court is the right one for your situation.
The Small Claims Court handles money-related issues and property disputes up to R20,000. This includes getting back property, evicting non-paying tenants, claims based on written proof of debt, credit agreement issues, unpaid invoices, damages, and services not properly rendered.
You need to file at the court that has jurisdiction over your case. This is usually where the defendant lives, works, or runs their business. You can also file where the entire issue happened or where the defendant owns property related to your claim.
Important: You cannot use the Small Claims Court to sue government departments, and claims based on 'ceded' or 'assigned' rights (often used by debt collectors) are generally not allowed.
Still fuzzy on the right location? The Department of Justice has a handy tool: Find your nearest Small Claims Court here.
Get the full details on eligibility and jurisdiction in our comprehensive guide →Dive deeper into the Small Claims Court process with our comprehensive guides. These detailed articles will help you understand every aspect of pursuing or defending a claim in South Africa.
Everything you need to know about eligibility, jurisdiction, and what types of cases the Small Claims Court can handle. Includes detailed breakdowns of the law and practical examples.
Read More →A detailed walkthrough of every stage from drafting your first Letter of Demand to enforcing a judgment. Includes timelines, costs, and what to expect at each step.
Read More →Expert tips on gathering evidence, preparing your documents, and presenting your case effectively. Learn what commissioners look for and how to avoid common mistakes.
Read More →Knowledge is power! Here are some key official resources and links that can give you extra backup and clarity as you handle your Small Claims Court matter in South Africa.
Want to see the official law that started it all? This is the Small Claims Courts Act itself - it sets out the court's powers and the basic legal rules for how it works.
View ActHow do things actually work day-to-day? The Court Rules dive into the specific procedures, deadlines, what documents need, and even court etiquette. Good to know!
View RulesLooking for the blank, official templates? Here you can download the standard forms (like the Summons or Defence) directly, as used by the court.
Download FormsFeeling stuck or need personalized legal advice for your specific situation? While lawyers aren't usually involved *in* the hearing itself, getting advice beforehand can help. Find attorneys familiar with these matters here.
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