Civil Division
NOTICE
Currently, we are accepting new cases in person. Appointments are preferred.
- For questions about submitting a new case call 215-686-7988
- For questions about relisting a case or submitting a petition call 215-686-7980
- For questions about submitting a writ of possession, alias writ, or writ of execution call 215-686-7989
The Civil Division of the Municipal Court deals with these types of civil cases: Landlord and Tenant cases, Code Enforcement cases, and Small Claims cases up to $12,000.
Civil cases are between people or organizations, like businesses. A few examples of civil cases are personal injury and contract disagreements.
When someone owes you money or property, you have a few options:
- You can start a civil case.
- The court may be able to help you get your money or property back.
- If the disagreement involves $12,000 or less, you can submit a Small Claims case to the Municipal Court.
- If the disagreement involves more than $12,000, you can submit your case to the Court of Common Pleas.
- You can start a landlord-tenant case.
- These cases are for disagreements involving money between landlords and tenants.
- The court may be able to help you get money owed to you by your landlord or tenant.
Civil Case Types
Learn more about the types of cases we process in the Civil Division
Small Claims Cases
Small Claims are cases that involve disagreements about money one person owes another. Here at the Philadelphia Municipal Court, we deal with Small Claims cases involving up to $12,000. Small Claims Court is a simpler, faster, and cheaper way to go to court.
Landlord-Tenant Cases
A Landlord-Tenant Case involves a written lease or verbal rental agreement. The court does not deal with cases involving a squatter and cannot force a landlord to make repairs.
Code Enforcement Cases
When a person or organization breaks a city code, like real estate taxes or business taxes, city agencies can ask them to fix it. If the issue is not fixed, the city agency can submit a case in Municipal Court and a hearing is scheduled.
Private Criminal Cases
Anyone can submit a criminal case with the court, even if there is not a police report. These are called private criminal complaints. Most private criminal complaints involve disagreements between family members or neighbors.
Legal Language 101
Learn common court words and legal terms with this short video
Forms
Small Claims
- Subpoena Form: Use this form to ask another person for their documents. Learn how to submit a subpoena.
- Appointment of Authorized Representative Form: If you want someone to go to court for you, they need to submit this form. If you have a lawyer, they do not need to submit the form.
- Statement of Claim Form and Instructions: Submit a new Small Claims case
- Landlord-Tenant Forms and Instructions: Submit a new Landlord-Tenant case
- Petition to Proceed In Forma Pauperis Form: Tell the court you are unable to pay a fee
- Notice to Appeal Form: Challenge the court's decision after a hearing
- Petition to Open Default Judgment Form: Explain why you missed your hearing
- Praecipe for Writ of Execution: Forces the other side to give you money or property after a hearing
Landlord-Tenant
- Landlord-Tenant Form and Instructions: Submit a new Landlord-Tenant case
- Questionnaire for Rental Assistance: Include when you submit a Landlord-Tenant case
- Appointment of Authorized Representative Form: If you want someone to go to court for you, they need to submit this form. If you have a lawyer, they do not need to submit the form.
- Subpoena Form: Use this form to ask another person for their documents. Learn how to submit a subpoena.
- Confidential Document Form: Ask for a confidential document for your case
- Petition to Proceed In Forma Pauperis Form: Tell the court you are unable to pay a fee
- Petition to Open Default Judgment Form: Explain why you missed your hearing
- Praecipe for Writ of Possession: Complete an eviction at least 10 days after your hearing
- Praecipe for Alias Writ of Possession: Complete an eviction at least 21 days after your hearing
Resources
Small Claims
- About Filing a Small Claims Case and Hearings
- How to start a Small Claims Case
- How to search for your case information: Using the Municipal Court CLAIMS User Manual
- Filing Fees: Find out how much you will have to pay to submit a case or action
- Learn more about debt issues in Pennsylvania
- Small Claims FAQs
Landlord-Tenant
- How to start a Landlord-Tenant Case
- How to search for your case information: Using the Municipal Court CLAIMS User Manual
- Sample Notice of Rights for Tenants: Send to your tenant before moving forwards with an eviction case
- Sample Proposed Repayment Agreement: Before moving forwards with an eviction case, try to come up with an agreement
- Filing Fees: Find out how much you will have to pay to submit a case or action
- Learn more about debt issues in Pennsylvania
- How to Get Legal Help
- Visit www.phillytenant.org for materials and information about your legal rights
- Attend a daily Tenant Rights Workshop at TURN. You can register online or by calling the Philly Tenant Hotline at 267-443-2500.
Other
- How to get disability accommodations
- Notice of Language Rights: You have the right to an interpreter
- A complete List of Local Rules
Call 215-686-7000 for general court information.
Contact
Business Hours
- Monday-Friday: 9am - 5pm
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed
Civil Division Information
The First Judicial District (FJD) of Pennsylvania is composed of two courts which make up the Philadelphia County Court System: the Court of Common Pleas and Municipal Court.
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Phone: 215-686-7000
Website: www.courts.phila.gov
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