Rule 148.01 Self-Representation Permitted

If you have a small claims case, you don't need to hire a lawyer. You can handle your own case from start to finish, whether you're the one suing or the one being sued. You can file the paperwork, speak for yourself in court, and present your side without any legal representation.

This rule also covers businesses and organizations. If a corporation, unincorporated group, or labor union is involved in a small claims case, it doesn't have to hire outside legal counsel either. Instead, the business can send one of its own officers or an authorized employee to represent it in court. This keeps small claims court simple and affordable, since the whole point of small claims is to let people resolve minor disputes quickly without the cost of hiring an attorney.