What are the requirements for bringing suit before a Magisterial District Judge?
You may file a suit with a magisterial district judge at the Magisterial District Court if you have a complaint against a person or business and wish to recover an amount of money totaling $12,000 or less. This is called a civil lawsuit. The $12,000 limit does not include the court costs involved in the suit, or any interest which may be due on your claim. If you are successful, you are entitled to be reimbursed for court costs. The MDJ is a judge assigned to hear these types of cases.

If you are involved in a dispute over a landlord/tenant issue, the time frame for hearings and appeals is different from those addressed in this pamphlet. You may also be brought before a district judge to answer a summary offense charge or a motor vehicle violation. The proceedings are similar but each has specific rules not covered in this pamphlet.

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1. How much does it cost for a wedding at the MDJ office?
2. Can a Magisterial District Judge and/or staff provide legal assistance or guidance?
3. What are the requirements for bringing suit before a Magisterial District Judge?
4. Should I go to District Court or Common Pleas Court?
5. Who can represent me in a Magisterial District Court?
6. Can the Magisterial District Judge order my property be returned?
7. To which District Court should I go?
8. How should I start a law suit?
9. How is the other party notified?
10. Do I need to appear if the Defendant has not entered a defense?
11. Can I get a continuance of the trial?
12. What should I do before the trial?
13. What happens at the trial?
14. What happens after the decision?
15. How do I proceed if no appeal is filed?
16. How can I locate an attorney?
17. How do I fill out a civil complaint?
18. Where do you file?
19. What do you include in the claim?
20. Traffic and Non Traffic Citations
21. How Are Summary Offenses Enforced?
22. What Is A Citation?
23. What If Some Of The Information In The Citation Is Wrong?
24. What If I Do Not Respond To A Citation?
25. What If I Request A Hearing?
26. What If I Fail To Appear At The Hearing?
27. Can I Appeal?
28. For More Information