Middlesex County Small Claims Court

Important for Middlesex County: Presiding Officer: Clerk-Magistrate (typically attorneys appointed for this purpose) | Trial Format: Bench hearing before Clerk-Magistrate (no jury at original small claims hearing) | Case Initiation Form: Statement of Small Claim and Notice — REQUIRES separate Statement of Damages | Statement Of Damages Requirement: Filers must submit a Statement of Damages SEPARATELY from the Statement of Small Claim form. Important note from Middlesex e-filing guidance: Statement of Damages must be uploaded as a separate LEAD DOCUMENT in eFileMA — combining it with the Statement of Small Claim is a common pro se error. | Service Method Default: First-Class Mail handled by court clerk — cost included in filing fee. Constable/Sheriff backup if mail fails. | Default Judgment Special Rule: If properly-served defendant fails to appear, plaintiff must still PROVE 'liquidated' damages to receive judgment from Clerk-Magistrate. | Appeal Rights One Way: MASSACHUSETTS HAS A ONE-WAY APPEAL RULE per M.G.L. c. 218 § 23. Defendants who lose at small claims can appeal for trial de novo before a 6-person jury. PLAINTIFFS WHO LOSE CANNOT APPEAL — by choosing small claims venue, plaintiffs WAIVE appeal rights. | Appeal Jury Trial Note: Defendant appeal triggers a 6-person jury trial de novo at the District Court level — original Clerk-Magistrate findings are completely set aside on appeal.