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Oregon Small Claims Court

Circuit Court Small Claims Department (Justice Court in some areas), for claims up to $10,000.

Last checked November 1, 2026

The most you can ask for$10,000
LawyersLawyers limited
Time to sue on a contract6 years
Good to know

Claims of $750 or less generally must go to small claims. Claims over $750 up to $10,000 can go to small claims or regular civil court. Justice courts have the same limits. Class actions aren't allowed.

Lawyers: A lawyer can't take part in the hearing without the judge's consent. Businesses can appear without one.

How it works in Oregon

  1. Try in good faith to collect first. Your claim form must say you did.
  2. File your claim with the court and pay the fee, or ask for a fee waiver or deferral.
  3. Have the defendant served. They have 30 days to respond, or you can ask for a default judgment.
  4. If the defendant asks for a hearing, attend mediation if it's scheduled.
  5. If there's no agreement, go to trial with original documents, copies for the other side, and your witnesses.
  6. If you win, you're responsible for collecting, for example by garnishment.

What it costs

$57 for claims of $2,500 or less, $102 for claims over $2,500 (circuit court). A defendant pays the same fee to ask for a hearing.

How long you have to sue

Written contract6 years
Spoken agreement6 years
Damage to property6 years
Personal injury2 years

ORS 12.080, 12.110(1). These are general limits. The clock can start late, pause or be much shorter, as it is for claims against a government agency.

If you lose

Neither side can appeal a circuit court small claims judgment, but a defendant can demand a jury trial on claims over $750, which moves the case to regular court.

Justice court sections moved in 2025: ORS 55.011 is now ORS 52.750. S.B. 484 (2025) proposed raising the limit from $10,000 to $20,000. The Legislature's page shows it stayed in Senate committee with no chapter number, and the 2025 Edition still says $10,000. The circuit court fee schedule was reissued effective 1 January 2026. Small claims fees are still $57 and $102.

Sources

Cities in Oregon

OregonPortlandMultnomah County Circuit Court, Small Claims Department

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General information to help you get organized, last checked November 1, 2026. It isn't legal advice, and SueYou isn't a law firm. Laws change and every case is different, so confirm anything important with a lawyer or the court. No lawyer has reviewed this page yet.