Small Claims Court in Ramsey County

In Ramsey County, MN small claims cases are filed in District Court. Ramsey County has one District Courthouses that handle small claims, serving different jurisdictions.

Squabble is here to assist you in navigating the small claims court system and filing a claim with ease. We recognize that not everyone is a legal expert, and our goal is to simplify the process for you. This guide will answer your questions about filing claims in the Ramsey Court System.

Small Claims

In Ramsey County, Minnesota, Conciliation Court—often referred to as "small claims" court—is a more straightforward way for people to resolve disputes without the need for complicated legal procedures. It's designed to be accessible, so you don’t need a lawyer to navigate the process.

You can file a claim for up to $20,000, or $4,000 if it involves consumer credit issues. These amounts are the limits before considering the court filing fee (see "What is the fee to file in Conciliation Court?" for more details).

If your claim exceeds $20,000, the court won’t accept it. While you can reduce the amount of your claim to stay within the limit, keep in mind that you can’t later seek additional compensation through a separate claim or by breaking it into smaller claims, even if they are related to the same issue.

Also, winning your case doesn’t mean you automatically get paid. It’s your responsibility to collect the money from the other party, as the court doesn’t handle that part. In some cases, collecting the judgment could involve extra time, effort, and even additional costs on your part.

Cases Handled in Small Claims Court

In Conciliation Court, you can usually file claims for out-of-pocket expenses or the return of property. This might include things like:

• Security deposits
• Property damage
• Returning pets
• Recovering a seized vehicle or other personal property

However, there are certain types of claims that cannot be filed in Conciliation Court, such as:

• Title disputes for real estate
• Libel or slander cases
• Medical malpractice
• Claims against deceased individuals
• Requests for injunctions (court orders to do or stop doing something) For a full list of allowed and disallowed claims, refer to Minn. Stat. § 491A.01.

Where to File

Generally, you should file your Conciliation Court claim in the county where the defendant lives or does business. If the defendant is a corporation, you can also file in the county where the corporation's main office or a branch office is located. If you're unsure about the business location, you can check with the Minnesota Secretary of State for more details. There are a couple of exceptions to this rule:

• If your case involves "bad checks," you should file your claim in the District Court of the county where the checks were written.
• For landlord-tenant disputes, the claim must be filed in the District Court of the county where the rental property is located.

These exceptions ensure the case is handled in the appropriate jurisdiction.

Do I need a Lawyer?

In both Conciliation Court and District Court, individuals have the option to represent themselves, or they can choose to hire a lawyer for representation. However, if you're an individual, you cannot be represented by a non-lawyer.

For businesses or associations, there's a bit more flexibility. A non-lawyer, such as an officer or manager of the business, can represent the company in Conciliation Court, as long as they file a Power of Attorney for Conciliation Court (under Minn. Stat. § 491A.02, subd. 4). However, if the business wants to appeal a Conciliation Court judgment to District Court, it must be represented by a lawyer. This includes having a lawyer sign the appeal paperwork, as stated in the "Advisory Committee Comment" to Rule 521 of the General Rules of Practice for District Courts (Title VI).

Conciliation Court

To file a claim in Conciliation Court, you can begin the process in a few different ways:

1. Use Minnesota Guide & File: This online tool will walk you through the steps and help you generate the necessary forms. You can learn more about it by visiting the Guide & File Help Topic.
2. Download the Forms: You can download the Statement of Claim and Summons form directly from the court’s website.
3. Visit Your Local Courthouse: You can also pick up the paperwork in person at your nearest courthouse.

When filling out the Statement of Claim and Summons, you'll need to provide the following information:

• Your name and address
• The name and address of the defendant (home address if the defendant is an individual; principal business address if the defendant is a business)
• The amount of your claim
• The legal reason for your claim and the date it occurred

Once you’ve completed the form, make sure to sign it and file it with the court. Don’t forget—you’ll also need to pay a filing fee when submitting your paperwork. For details on fees and any potential fee waivers, be sure to check the court's guidelines.

Conciliation Court Fees

Here are the current filing fees for Conciliation Court appeals and filings:

• Aggrieved Party Appeal: $285.00
  • Breakdown: Base Fee $285
  • Authority: Minn. Stat. § 357.021, subd. 2(1), 134A.09, 134A.10, and Conciliation Court Rule 521.b
• Aggrieved Party Appeal by Jury: $385.00
  • Breakdown: Base Fee $285 + Jury Trial Fee $100
  • Authority: Minn. Stat. § 357.021, subd. 2(1), 134A.09, 134A.10, and Conciliation Court Rule 521.b
• First Paper Filed by Plaintiff/Petitioner and Defendant/Respondent: $65.00
  • Breakdown: Base Fee $65

If you’re unable to afford the filing fee due to low income, you can request a fee waiver. To do this, you'll need to complete and submit an Affidavit of Inability to Pay Conciliation Court Filing Fee form along with your claim.

Additionally, there may be extra costs. For example, if you choose to file your forms electronically, there’s an additional $5 fee.

It's also important to note that, under Rule 506 of the General Rules of Practice, if you win your case, the filing fee you paid will be added to your claim amount. When you collect on the judgment, you will need to pay that filing fee to the court administrator.

Serve the Defendant

For claims under $2,500, the Court Administrator’s office will take care of serving the defendant. They will send the defendant the Statement of Claim and Summons by first-class mail, along with the date and time of the hearing. You will also receive a Notice of Hearing, which will let you know when your hearing is scheduled.

For claims over $2,500, or if service by mail doesn’t work, the Court Administrator will give you a Notice of Hearing and instructions on how to arrange service yourself. Typically, you will need to serve the defendant with both the Statement of Claim and Summons and the Notice of Hearing.

Once you’ve served the paperwork, the person who did the service must complete an Affidavit of Service. This form must then be filed with the court either within 60 days of when the summons was issued, or before your court date—whichever comes first. This ensures the defendant is properly notified and the process can move forward.

Counterclaim

If you've been served with a Statement of Claim and Summons and disagree with the plaintiff's claim, you don’t need to file anything in advance. You can simply show up at the hearing to present your side of the case. However, if you believe the plaintiff owes you money or should return property, you may want to file a counterclaim.

A counterclaim is typically related to the same situation as the plaintiff's claim but can also involve different circumstances. If you're unsure whether to file a counterclaim or start a new claim, it's a good idea to seek legal advice to guide your decision.

To file a counterclaim, you can download the Statement of Counterclaim and Summons form from the court’s website or get it from your local courthouse. Be sure to file your counterclaim and submit the filing fee (or a fee waiver request) at least 7 days before the hearing.

You do not need to serve the plaintiff with your counterclaim. The Court Administrator will notify the plaintiff that you’ve filed a counterclaim, and it will be addressed during the same hearing as the original claim.

If your counterclaim exceeds $20,000, you have two options:

1. Reduce the amount of your counterclaim to fit within the $20,000 limit for Conciliation Court.
2. Move the case to District Court and have both the original claim and counterclaim heard there.

To move the case to District Court, you must file an affidavit with Conciliation Court at least 7 days before the hearing. While the General Rules of Practice (Rule 510(a)) outline what needs to be included in the affidavit, the Minnesota Judicial Branch does not provide a specific form for this process.

Fees for Small Claim

Here are the current fees for Conciliation Court filings:

• Aggrieved Party Appeal: $285.00 (Base Fee)
  • Authorization: Minn. Stat. § 357.021, subd. 2(1), 134A.09, 134A.10, Conciliation Court Rule 521.b
• Aggrieved Party Appeal by Jury: $385.00 (Base Fee $285 + Jury Trial Fee $100)
  • Authorization: Minn. Stat. § 357.021, subd. 2(1), 134A.09, 134A.10, Conciliation Court Rule 521.b
• **Plaintiff/Petitioner and Defendant/Respondent - First Paper Filed:-- $65.00 (Base Fee)
  • Authorization: Minn. Stat. § 357.022, 134A.09, 134A.10 These fees are set by Minnesota state law and help cover the administrative costs of processing cases in Conciliation Court.

Reschedule Court Date

If you need to request a rescheduling of your court date (a continuance), you must submit your request in writing and file it with the court at least 5 days before your scheduled hearing date. In addition, you may be required to pay a fee of up to $50 before a new court date is granted.

It's important to note that each party is only allowed to request a new court date once. If you need to reschedule, make sure to submit your request promptly to avoid complications.

Subpoena

You can request a subpoena from the court administration to either require a witness to appear at your hearing or to obtain specific documents. Keep in mind that each subpoena comes with a fee.

If you're unable to afford the subpoena fee, you can request a waiver. To do so, you must complete and file an Affidavit for Proceeding In Forma Pauperis (a form that demonstrates your inability to pay), along with a Supplemental Affidavit for each subpoena you are requesting.

This process allows individuals with financial hardship to still proceed with their case and gather necessary evidence or witness testimony.

Settlement

If you’ve filed a claim but have reached a settlement with the other party, you need to notify the court administration in writing to let them know the case is being resolved. You can do this in one of two ways:

1. Notice of Settlement and Dismissal: You can file this form to officially dismiss your case before the hearing, without including the details of the settlement in the court record. This is a simple way to close the case once a settlement has been reached.
2. Settlement Agreement and Order: If you want the settlement to be enforceable by the court, you can file a Settlement Agreement and Order. This form, signed by both parties, outlines the terms of the settlement (e.g., the defendant agrees to pay a specific amount by a certain date). For the settlement to be enforceable, it must be approved by the judge at your scheduled hearing.

Choosing between these options depends on whether you want the settlement terms to be part of the official court record and enforceable through the court system.

If other party violates a written agreement

If the judge approves a signed Settlement Agreement and Order during your court hearing, the agreement or court order may include a provision that allows the court to enter a judgment without another hearing if either party violates the terms of the agreement.

If the other party does not follow the terms outlined in the settlement or order, and it includes this provision, you can take action by filing an Affidavit of Noncompliance. This affidavit explains to the court how the agreement was violated and requests the court to enter a judgment based on the noncompliance, rather than scheduling another hearing.

Be sure to review the instructions that accompany the affidavit to ensure you're providing all the necessary information to the court. This process allows you to enforce the settlement without having to go through another full hearing.

Hearing

At the hearing, both you (the plaintiff) and the defendant will appear before a judge or referee, either in person or remotely. The judge may encourage both parties to try to reach a settlement before proceeding further.

As the plaintiff, you'll present your case first. Both parties and any witnesses will testify under oath. You are allowed to use any notes you've prepared to help explain the details of your case, such as how you calculated the damages you're claiming. Be sure to bring evidence to support your claim, including things like receipts, repair bills, estimates, and any other relevant documents that strengthen your argument.

When it's the defendant's turn to speak, avoid interrupting them. If you disagree with something they say, you can ask the judge for permission to respond. The judge may also ask questions of either party or any witnesses present to clarify details or gather more information about the case.

Remember, staying calm and respectful throughout the hearing will help ensure the process goes smoothly.

After the Hearing

The judge or referee may not make a decision on your claim immediately during the hearing. Instead, court administration will notify all parties of the decision—referred to as an order—after the hearing has concluded.

It's important to remember that a Conciliation Court judgment does not become effective immediately. There is a waiting period of 24 days after the order is mailed (or 21 days if sent electronically). This waiting period allows time for any party to appeal the decision or request to vacate a default judgment.

The order will specify the last day of this 24-day period, so be sure to pay attention to that date. During this time, if no appeals or requests are made, the judgment will become final.

If you do not appear the hearing

All parties are required to attend the hearing. If you fail to appear, the judge may dismiss your claim or counterclaim, or they could issue a "default" judgment against you, meaning the court may rule in favor of the other party by default.

If neither party shows up for the hearing, the judge may dismiss the case, or court administration may remove it from the calendar entirely. It's important to attend the hearing or notify the court if you can't make it, as failure to appear can negatively affect your case.

Ask the court for a new hearing

If you missed the hearing and the judge dismissed your case or awarded a judgment to the other party, you can request the judge to vacate the order and schedule a new hearing. To do this, file the Affidavit and Order Vacating Order for Judgment and Granting New Trial with the court.

• If the deadline hasn't passed (24 days from notice or 21 days if sent electronically), file the Affidavit before the deadline.
• If the deadline has passed, file a motion with the court within a "reasonable" time after learning of the judgment, and serve a copy on all parties.

If your request is granted, the judge may require a fee to reopen the case. Once paid, court administration will schedule the new hearing and notify all parties. If unsure how to proceed, it's a good idea to consult a lawyer.

Appeal

If you disagree with a Conciliation Court decision, you can appeal by filing a Demand for Removal/Appeal from Conciliation Court to transfer the case to District Court for a new trial (see Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 521). In District Court, you can choose to have your appeal heard by a judge or a jury, but a jury trial comes with additional fees.

Keep in mind that District Court is more formal and complex than Conciliation Court, and the Rules of Civil Procedure apply. Because of this, it's strongly recommended to seek legal assistance, as court staff cannot provide legal advice or help with preparing your appeal.

Important:

• You can only appeal if both parties attended the hearing and a trial occurred.
• You cannot appeal a default judgment or if you missed the hearing. In those cases, you must request to vacate the judgment and schedule a new hearing (see “Can I ask the court for a new hearing if I missed my court date?”).

Conciliation Court Appeal

When you file an appeal from Conciliation Court to District Court, the case is essentially restarted. The District Court process is more complex, formal, and can take longer than Conciliation Court. It follows the Rules of Civil Procedure.

Be prepared to fully present your case, which includes:

• Having your witnesses ready to testify.
• Ensuring all your evidence is available.
• You may also need to subpoena your witnesses again for the District Court trial.

Appeals are more involved, so it’s wise to consider getting legal assistance to help navigate the process.

Change a Claim on Appeal to a District Court

After your case is removed to District Court, you have 30 days to amend your claim or counterclaim. During this time, you must:

• Serve the other party with a formal complaint.
• File the complaint with the court, along with an Affidavit of Service.

For more details, refer to Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 522.

When you file an appeal to District Court, you'll need to pay the initial civil filing fee along with your appeal paperwork. If you're unable to afford these fees, you can request a fee waiver by completing the appropriate forms. See the Fee Waiver (IFP) Help Topic for more information.

If you appeal and do not win, you may be required to pay the other party $50 as "costs" under Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 524.

Appeals

• fter a District Court decision, you can appeal to the Minnesota Court of Appeals.
• Note that Court of Appeals procedures are different, and you cannot introduce new evidence. The appeal will be based only on the existing record from the lower courts.

Collect Judgment

To begin collecting a judgment, you first need to have it docketed (or "transcribed"). To do this, file an Affidavit of Identification of Judgment Debtor form with court administration in the county where the judgment was awarded. There will be a fee for this process.

Interest on the judgment amount will start accruing from the date the judgment was entered, and the court will automatically calculate this interest.

Important: Winning a case in Conciliation Court does not guarantee you will receive payment. It is your responsibility to collect the judgment from the other party. The court does not handle the payment collection for you. Collecting a judgment can be difficult and may require additional expenses, such as filing fees and other costs.

Courthouse Location:

Ramsey County Conciliation Court

15 W Kellogg Blvd # 170\ St Paul, MN 55102
(651) 266-8230
https://www.mncourts.gov/Find-Courts/Ramsey/RamseyCivilCourt.aspx

BUILDING HOURS

• Monday - Friday 8:00AM - 4:30PM, except court holidays.

CITIES SERVES

• Arden Hills
• Blaine (partial)
• Falcon Heights
• Gem Lake
• Lauderdale
• Little Canada
• Maplewood
• Mounds View
• New Brighton
• North Oaks
• North Saint Paul
• Roseville
• Saint Paul
• Shoreview
• Spring Lake Park (partial)
• Saint Anthony (partial)
• Vadnais Heights
• White Bear Lake (partial)

Let Squabble Help You With Your Small Claim at Ramsey County

Don't allow the intricacies of the legal system to discourage you from pursuing justice and compensation for your claim. With Squabble, you have a dedicated partner to streamline the process and guide you toward resolution. Whether you're contemplating filing a claim at Ramsey County small claims court, Squabble is here to support you at every stage. Reach out to us today to commence your journey toward justice and compensation. Get started today and become one of the 95% of our customers who won or settled their case.