Alaska Statutes
Alaska Stat. § 22.15.040 (2026)
Small claims
✓ current as of July 2026
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Sec. 22.15.040. Small claims.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, when a claim for relief does not exceed $10,000, exclusive of costs, interest, and attorney fees, and request is so made, the district judge or magistrate shall hear the action as a small claim unless important or unusual points of law are involved or the state is a defendant. The Department of Labor and Workforce Development may bring an action as a small claim under this subsection for the payment of wages under AS 23.05.220 in an amount not to exceed $20,000, exclusive of costs, interest, and attorney fees. The supreme court shall prescribe the procedural rules and standard forms to assure simplicity and the expeditious handling of small claims.
(b) All potential small claim litigants shall be informed if mediation, conciliation, and arbitration services are available as an alternative to litigation.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, when a claim for relief does not exceed $10,000, exclusive of costs, interest, and attorney fees, and request is so made, the district judge or magistrate shall hear the action as a small claim unless important or unusual points of law are involved or the state is a defendant. The Department of Labor and Workforce Development may bring an action as a small claim under this subsection for the payment of wages under AS 23.05.220 in an amount not to exceed $20,000, exclusive of costs, interest, and attorney fees. The supreme court shall prescribe the procedural rules and standard forms to assure simplicity and the expeditious handling of small claims.
(b) All potential small claim litigants shall be informed if mediation, conciliation, and arbitration services are available as an alternative to litigation.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 4
cases, 1974–2003 · leading case: Aguchak v. Montgomery Ward Co., Inc., 520 P.2d 1352 (Alaska 1974).
Aguchak v. Montgomery Ward Co., Inc., 520 P.2d 1352 (Alaska 1974). “AS 22.15.040 establishes a procedure for handling small claims as follows: When a claim for relief does not exceed $1,000 exclusive of costs, interest and attorney fees, and request is so made, the district judge or magistrate shall hear the action as a small claim unless…”
Buckalew v. Holloway, 604 P.2d 240 (Alaska 1979). “In addition a magistrate may hear, try and enter judgment in a small claims action, AS 22.15.040, and in any case in which recovery of money damages, personal property, penalty, or forfeiture is sought, when the amount in controversy is less than $1,000; may enter judgment upon…”
Brandner v. Agre, 80 P.3d 691 (Alaska 2003). “AS 22.15.040 grants district court judges and magistrates the authority to hear claims for relief in the amount of $7,500 or less as small claims.”
Jimmie v. Alaska Vill. Elec. Co-op, Inc., 624 P.2d 1258 (Alaska 1981). “8(a) provides: Procedure in small claim actions, as defined by AS 22.15.040, is governed by these rules and other rules specifically incorporated herein by reference, when all parties to the action elect to be governed by them.”
— Alaska Stat. § 22.15.040(a) — 1 case
Brandner v. Agre, 80 P.3d 691 (Alaska 2003). “AS 22.15.040 grants district court judges and magistrates the authority to hear claims for relief in the amount of $7,500 or less as small claims.”
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