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NC General Statutes

N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-210 (2026)

Small claim action defined

✓ current as of July 2026
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For purposes of this Article a small claim action is a civil action wherein:

(1) The amount in controversy, computed in accordance with G.S. 7A-243, does not exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000); and

(2) The only principal relief prayed is monetary, or the recovery of specific personal property, or summary ejectment, or any combination of the foregoing in properly joined claims; and

(3) The plaintiff has requested assignment to a magistrate in the manner provided in this Article.

The seeking of the ancillary remedy of claim and delivery or an order from the clerk of superior court for the relinquishment of property subject to a lien pursuant to G.S 44A-4(a) does not prevent an action otherwise qualifying as a small claim under this Article from so qualifying. (1965, c. 310, s. 1; 1973, c. 1267, s. 1; 1979, c. 144, s. 1; 1981, c. 555, s. 1; 1985, c. 329; c. 655, s. 1; 1989, c. 311, s. 1; 1993, c. 107, s. 1; c. 553, s. 73(a); 1999-411, s. 1; 2004-128, s. 1; 2013-159, s. 1.)

 

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 16 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1975–2024 · leading case: 4U Homes & Sales, Inc. v. McCoy, 762 S.E.2d 308 (N.C. Ct. App. 2014).
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4U Homes & Sales, Inc. v. McCoy, 762 S.E.2d 308 (N.C. Ct. App. 2014). · cites it 6× “N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-210 (2011). 3 However, N.”
Falk Integrated Tech., Inc. v. Stack, 513 S.E.2d 572 (N.C. Ct. App. 1999). · cites it 3× “00) jurisdictional amount provided in N.C.G.S. § 7A-210 (1995). On 18 August 1997, plaintiff instituted an action in Forsyth County District Court consolidating the two claims against defendant.”
Cloer v. Smith, 512 S.E.2d 779 (N.C. Ct. App. 1999). · cites it 4× “”); N.C.G.S. § 7A-210(1) (1995) (setting jurisdictional amount of a small claim action at $3,000.”
Blitz v. Agean, Inc., 677 S.E.2d 1 (N.C. Ct. App. 2009). · cites it 2× “In the case before us, Plaintiffs complaint sought an injunction against Defendant.”
Fickley v. Greystone Enter., Inc., 536 S.E.2d 331 (N.C. Ct. App. 2000). · cites it 3× “In the second action, however, plaintiffs seek damages in excess of $10,000, which exceeds the $3,000 jurisdictional amount in small claims actions pursuant to the provisions of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-210(1) at the time the second action was filed.”
J. S. & Assocs., Inc. v. Stevenson, 828 S.E.2d 183 (N.C. Ct. App. 2019). · cites it 5× “N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-210(2) (2017). The amount in controversy in an action in small claims court may not exceed ten thousand dollars ($ 10,000).”
Holloway v. Holloway, 726 S.E.2d 198 (N.C. Ct. App. 2012). · cites it 2× “shall not bar such claims in a separate action.” Id. But, “[o]n appeal from the judgment of the magistrate for trial de novo before a district judge, the judge shall allow appropriate counterclaims, cross claims, third party claims, replies, and answers to cross claims, in…”
Jones v. Ratley, 607 S.E.2d 38 (N.C. Ct. App. 2005). · cites it 4× “N.C. Gen.Stat. § 7A-210 (2003); N.C. Gen.”
Blitz v. Xpress Image, Inc., 2006 NCBC 10 (N.C. Bus. Ct. 2006). · cites it 3× “§ 227 (b) [13] (3); N.C.G.S. § 7A-210 (2005) (establishing $5,000 jurisdictional limit for small claims actions).”
Durham Hosiery Mill Ltd. P'ship v. Morris, 720 S.E.2d 426 (N.C. Ct. App. 2011). “ich reentry is allowed and the defendant has not filed a responsive pleading, the magistrate shall give judgment that the defendant be removed from, and the plaintiff be put in possession of, the demised premises; and if any rent or damages for the occupation of the premises…”
Wilson v. Jefferson-Green, Inc., 526 S.E.2d 506 (N.C. Ct. App. 2000). · cites it 7× “N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-210 (1995) (emphasis added).”
In re Nitzsky, 516 B.R. 846 (Bankr. W.D.N.C. 2014). · cites it 2× “N.C. Gen.Stat. §§ 7A-210, 42-26. Once granted, a judgment in action for summary ejectment is subject to appeal for a period of ten days.”
Show all 16 citing cases →
— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-210(1) — 7 cases
Cloer v. Smith, 512 S.E.2d 779 (N.C. Ct. App. 1999). “”); N.C.G.S. § 7A-210(1) (1995) (setting jurisdictional amount of a small claim action at $3,000.”
4U Homes & Sales, Inc. v. McCoy, 762 S.E.2d 308 (N.C. Ct. App. 2014). “N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-210 (2011). 3 However, N.”
Fickley v. Greystone Enter., Inc., 536 S.E.2d 331 (N.C. Ct. App. 2000). “In the second action, however, plaintiffs seek damages in excess of $10,000, which exceeds the $3,000 jurisdictional amount in small claims actions pursuant to the provisions of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-210(1) at the time the second action was filed.”
J. S. & Assocs., Inc. v. Stevenson, 828 S.E.2d 183 (N.C. Ct. App. 2019). “N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-210(2) (2017). The amount in controversy in an action in small claims court may not exceed ten thousand dollars ($ 10,000).”
Durham Hosiery Mill Ltd. P'ship v. Morris, 720 S.E.2d 426 (N.C. Ct. App. 2011). “ich reentry is allowed and the defendant has not filed a responsive pleading, the magistrate shall give judgment that the defendant be removed from, and the plaintiff be put in possession of, the demised premises; and if any rent or damages for the occupation of the premises…”
— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-210(2) — 3 cases
J. S. & Assocs., Inc. v. Stevenson, 828 S.E.2d 183 (N.C. Ct. App. 2019). “N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-210(2) (2017). The amount in controversy in an action in small claims court may not exceed ten thousand dollars ($ 10,000).”
Wilson v. Jefferson-Green, Inc., 526 S.E.2d 506 (N.C. Ct. App. 2000). “N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-210 (1995) (emphasis added).”
Silwal v. Akshar Lenoir (N.C. Ct. App. 2024).
— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-210(3) — 1 case
Wilson v. Jefferson-Green, Inc., 526 S.E.2d 506 (N.C. Ct. App. 2000). “N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-210 (1995) (emphasis added).”
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