Clark County Small Claims Court
Venue: Justice Courts. Limit: $10,000. No Attorneys Allowed.
Small claims in Clark County are designed for everyday people to resolve disputes affordably without expensive lawyers.
If you are owed money in Southern Nevada, the Clark County small claims court provides a straightforward path to justice. You can sue for up to $10,000 in the local Justice Courts. Learn how the process works, where to file, and what it costs.
What is the Clark County Small Claims Court?
In Nevada, small claims cases are handled exclusively by the Justice Courts. Because Clark County is large and heavily populated, it is divided into different administrative townships, each operating its own Justice Court facility. The most common jurisdiction is the Las Vegas Justice Court, but depending on where the defendant lives or where the incident occurred, your case might belong in a different township entirely. Small claims court is specifically designed to be accessible to the general public, meaning the rules of evidence are relaxed, and procedures are simplified.
Major Justice Courts
- Las Vegas Justice Court (Main Courthouse located at 200 Lewis Ave)
- Henderson Justice Court
- North Las Vegas Justice Court
- Boulder City Justice Court
The $10,000 Limit
The absolute maximum amount you can sue for in any Clark County small claims court is $10,000. This is the limit for the principal damages. If you are owed more than this, you must either waive the excess amount to stay in small claims or file a formal civil lawsuit in District Court.
You can read more about what counts toward this limit in our guide on the Las Vegas Small Claims Court Limit.
Which Justice Court Should You File In?
Choosing the right court location is critical. This is known as "venue." If you file your case in the wrong Justice Court within Clark County, the judge may dismiss your case, forcing you to start over and pay filing fees a second time.
Under Nevada law, you generally must file your small claims case in the township where the defendant currently resides, where the defendant operates their business, or where the specific incident or contract breach occurred. If the dispute is over an unpaid debt for services performed in Las Vegas, but the defendant lives in Henderson, you typically have the option to file in either the Las Vegas Justice Court or the Henderson Justice Court.
How Much Does It Cost to File in Clark County?
The cost to file a small claims case in Clark County depends entirely on the amount of money you are suing for. These are the standard fees required by the Justice Courts to open your case. These fees do not include the cost of serving the defendant.
Claims up to $2,500
$71
Claims $2,501 to $5,000
$116
Claims $5,001 to $7,500
$141
Claims $7,501 to $10,000
$166
What Can You Sue For in Clark County?
Small claims courts are designed strictly for monetary judgments. You cannot use this court to force someone to perform an action or return a specific piece of property. You can only ask the judge to order the defendant to pay you money.
Common cases filed in Clark County Justice Courts include disputes over unpaid personal loans, breach of contract for services not rendered, landlord-tenant disputes regarding unreturned security deposits, property damage such as fender benders where insurance is not involved, and unpaid invoices for freelancers or small businesses.
How to File a Small Claims Case in Clark County (Step by Step)
Send a Final Demand Letter
Before filing, it is highly recommended to send the defendant a formal demand letter. This proves to the court that you attempted to resolve the issue out of court. Detail exactly what is owed and give them a deadline to pay. Check out our Complete Guide for more on this process.
Prepare the Small Claims Forms
Complete the required court documents, primarily the Small Claims Complaint. You must name the defendant correctly using their legal name or registered business name. Provide a clear, concise description of why they owe you money. You can find more information in our section on Small Claims Forms.
File the Case and Pay the Fee
Submit your documents to the court clerk at the correct Justice Court location, either in person or electronically through the Nevada e-filing system. Pay the applicable filing fee based on your claim amount ranging from $71 to $166.
Serve the Defendant
The defendant must be given formal notice of the lawsuit. Arrange for the Clark County Constable, a licensed private process server, or another eligible adult to serve the paperwork before the court date. You must then file a Proof of Service with the court to show the judge that the defendant was properly notified.
Attend the Hearing
Arrive at the court on time with all your evidence, including printed text messages, contracts, receipts, and photos. Present your side of the story clearly to the judge, who will review the evidence and issue a decision.
Want to Skip the Paperwork?
PettyLawsuit handles the preparation and filing for you. We assemble your Clark County small claims case and file it with the court electronically, saving you time and stress. Start your case online in minutes.
What Happens at the Small Claims Hearing?
When you arrive for your court date at the Justice Court, you will likely wait in the courtroom while the judge hears other cases. When your case is called, both you and the defendant will step forward.
Because lawyers are not allowed to represent you in Clark County small claims court, the judge will speak directly to you. The plaintiff speaks first, explaining why the defendant owes the money and presenting evidence. The defendant then has the opportunity to respond and present their own evidence or defense. For more insight into why attorneys cannot participate, read our guide on Las Vegas Small Claims Lawyers.
The judge may ask questions to clarify the facts. Once both sides have been heard, the judge will typically make a ruling immediately. If you win, you will receive a judgment, but it is then your responsibility to collect the money. The court does not collect the funds for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Clark County Small Claims Court
What is the limit for Clark County small claims court?
The limit for Clark County small claims court is $10,000. This is the maximum principal amount you can sue for in any Nevada Justice Court, including those in Las Vegas, Henderson, and North Las Vegas. You may also recover filing fees and service costs on top of this limit.
Which court handles small claims in Clark County, Nevada?
Small claims in Clark County, Nevada are handled by the local Justice Courts. The specific court you must file in depends on the township where the defendant lives, works, or where the incident occurred. The Las Vegas Justice Court is the largest, but cases may also be filed in Henderson or North Las Vegas.
How much does it cost to file a small claims case in Clark County?
Filing fees in Clark County small claims court range from $71 to $166, depending on the amount you are suing for. Claims up to $2,500 cost $71 to file, while claims between $7,501 and $10,000 cost $166. You will also need to pay for serving the defendant, which typically costs around $50 per person.
Can I have a lawyer in Clark County small claims court?
No. Under Nevada law, attorneys are not allowed to represent parties in small claims court. Both the plaintiff and the defendant must represent themselves, which helps keep the process simple, fast, and accessible for everyone without expensive legal fees.
How do I serve papers for a small claims case in Clark County?
You must serve the defendant with a copy of your filed claim before the court date. In Clark County, you can use the Constable's office, a licensed private process server, or any disinterested adult over 18 who is not a party to the case. Certified mail is also an option but requires a return receipt signed directly by the defendant.
How long does a small claims case take in Clark County?
In Clark County, a small claims hearing is typically scheduled within 30 to 45 days after you file your case. The exact timeline depends on how quickly you can serve the defendant and the current availability on the court's calendar.
What happens if the defendant does not show up to Clark County small claims court?
If the defendant has been properly served and fails to appear at the hearing, the judge may issue a default judgment in your favor. This means you win the case by default, and you can begin the process of collecting the money owed to you.
Can I appeal a small claims decision in Clark County, Nevada?
Yes. If you lose your small claims case in a Clark County Justice Court, you have the right to appeal the decision to the District Court. You must file your appeal quickly, usually within 5 days of the judgment being entered, and pay the required appeal fees.