The small claims court in the Philippines remains one of the most accessible and pro-people judicial remedies available. Designed to provide fast, inexpensive, and informal resolution of money claims, it allows ordinary citizens to recover amounts of up to One Million Pesos (P1,000,000.00) without the need for a lawyer and with minimal technicalities.
The procedure is governed by A.M. No. 08-8-7-SC (Rule of Procedure for Small Claims Cases), as amended, with the latest major revision approved by the Supreme Court En Banc on February 21, 2023, raising the jurisdictional limit to P1,000,000.00 effective April 1, 2023. No further increase has been implemented as of December 2025.
Current Jurisdictional Amount
- Maximum claim: P1,000,000.00 (exclusive of interest and costs)
- Applicable courts: Metropolitan Trial Courts (MeTC), Municipal Trial Courts in Cities (MTCC), Municipal Trial Courts (MTC), and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts (MCTC)
Current Filing Fees (Docket and Other Legal Fees)
The filing fees in small claims cases are deliberately kept low and are fixed on a graduated scale. The amounts below are the total amounts paid upon filing (inclusive of Judiciary Development Fund, Legal Research Fund, Mediation Fund, and Victim Compensation Fund). These are the rates currently applied nationwide.
| Value of the Claim (exclusive of interest and costs) | Total Filing Fee Payable by the Plaintiff |
|---|---|
| P200,000.00 and below | P5,000.00 |
| P200,001.00 – P400,000.00 | P10,000.00 |
| P400,001.00 – P600,000.00 | P15,000.00 |
| P600,001.00 – P800,000.00 | P20,000.00 |
| P800,001.00 – P1,000,000.00 | P25,000.00 |
These rates were set in the 2023 amendment to keep the remedy truly affordable even at the new P1 million ceiling (the highest fee of P25,000 represents only 2.5% of a P1 million claim, and significantly less for smaller amounts).
Key Points on Payment of Filing Fees
- Paid only by the plaintiff upon filing the Statement of Claim.
- The defendant pays nothing for filing the Response or attending hearings.
- Compulsory counterclaims (arising from the same transaction or occurrence) are allowed and require no additional filing fee.
- Permissive counterclaims are prohibited.
- Payment is made to the Clerk of Court (cash, postal money order, or, in courts with e-payment facilities, via Landbank e-Payment Portal or GCash in some pilot courts).
- Official receipt is issued and must be attached to the case record.
Exemptions and Reductions
- Pauper litigants (indigent parties) are completely exempt from filing fees upon approval of a Motion to Litigate as an Indigent (supported by certificate of indigency from the DSWD or barangay).
- No automatic exemption or discount for senior citizens or PWDs in small claims cases (unlike in regular civil actions where 20% discount may apply in some instances), but they may still qualify as indigent.
Other Related Fees in Small Claims Cases
While the filing fee is the main cost at the start, the following may be incurred later:
| Fee/Item | Amount/Notes |
|---|---|
| Motion for Execution (after decision becomes final) | P1,000.00 – P3,000.00 (depending on the court) |
| Sheriff’s execution fee | P1,000.00 minimum + P500–P2,000 transportation/operational expenses |
| Service of summons by sheriff (if personal service required) | Usually included in initial filing fee; additional service may cost P300–P800 |
| Certification or certified true copies | P50–P150 per page + P200 certification fee |
| Appeal (to RTC – allowed only on questions of law via petition for review) | Regular RTC filing fees under Rule 141 (approximately P8,000–P15,000) |
Note: There is no fee for the mandatory judicial dispute resolution (mediation) stage.
Comparison with Regular Civil Action Filing Fees
For the same P1,000,000 claim filed as an ordinary civil action (sum of money) in an MTC/MeTC, the filing fee under the current Rule 141 would be approximately P45,000–P55,000 (roughly 4–5% of the claim plus various funds). The small claims track therefore offers savings of 50–60% or more in filing fees alone, not counting lawyer’s fees (which are prohibited in small claims).
Practical Tips
- Always verify the exact amount with the Clerk of Court of the court where you will file, as occasional OCA circulars may adjust the breakdown of funds (though the total amounts above have remained stable since 2023).
- Prepare the exact amount in cash or manager’s check payable to “Clerk of Court.”
- In courts with e-filing (eCourt system), payment is made online and the official receipt is generated electronically.
- The filing fee is generally non-refundable even if the case is withdrawn or dismissed without prejudice.
The small claims mechanism continues to fulfill its constitutional mandate of making justice truly accessible to the masses. With filing fees ranging from only P5,000 to P25,000 for claims up to P1 million, it remains the most cost-effective way for ordinary Filipinos to enforce contractual rights, collect unpaid loans, recover deposits, claim unpaid salaries or benefits, or seek liquidated damages without the burden of expensive and protracted litigation.