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Civil Cases - District Division

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Scheduling of Small Claims and Civil Cases

Scheduling of Small Claims and Civil Cases

The Circuit Court continues to work through the backlog of small claims and civil cases that exists because of the Circuit Court’s staffing resources and limited hearing availability.  This backlog includes scheduling hearings at all stages of the case, including pre-trial, trial, and enforcement hearings. Note that over 15,000 requests for hearings are made each year in these cases. 

To date, all 2021 requests for pre-trial conferences and payment hearings statewide have been scheduled.  In addition, the Circuit Court has allocated additional resources through 2023 for this specific case type, including more court time.  We continue to schedule these hearings at each court location in the order in which they are received. 

Please check with the Information Center at 1-855-212-1234 for the scheduling status of specific courts.

Electronic Filing

Electronic Filing is mandatory in civil cases at all district division locations.  Self-represented litigants will use the program TurboCourt.  Attorneys will use the program File & Serve. If you had filed your original civil action in paper (not electronically) and have received a judgment that you are trying to collect, you may continue to file your pleadings in paper. Please be aware of the Circuit Court’s Electronic Filing Rules.

Basic Facts

The District Division of the Circuit Court can hear civil cases involving requests for money damages.  The damages may not exceed $25,000. If damages exceed $25,000, the case must be filed in the Superior Court. If damages are $10,000 or less, a Small Claim may be filed.

Civil Complaints may be filed in the District Division. The NH Supreme Court recently issued new court rules for these actions.  In addition, it is important to be familiar with the general Rules of the Circuit Court District Division.

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After reviewing the information on these pages, if you need further assistance please contact the Trial Court Information Center: 1-855-212-1234 for calls from US or Canada (Calls from outside US or Canada call 603-415-0162)