703-246-3012
TTY
Holly Smith,
Division Manager
The General District Court decides civil cases in which the amount in question does not exceed $25,000, except for personal injury and wrongful death cases in which the amount in question does not exceed $50,000. In addition, unlawful detainer (eviction) suits that include a request for rent for commercial or agricultural property can be heard by the general district court even if the amount of rent requested is more than $25,000.
A suit is begun by filing a civil warrant or complaint with the clerk of the court and paying a filing fee.
Small claims cases are civil cases in which the plaintiff is seeking a money judgment up to $5,000 or recovery of personal property valued up to $5,000. There are no attorneys in small claims court.
Below are the most common topics in the Civil Division. These pages explain the Court's procedures regarding these topics. Court employees will assist you when possible, but they are not employed as attorneys and cannot give legal advice.
Here are the most common used forms in the Civil Department.
For more Civil & Small Claims procedures: Civil & Small Claims Procedures and Forms
