Court System:

The court system of the State of Massachusetts consists of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and Trial Court.  The Trial Court is divided into seven (7) departments. (c.211B, s. 1.)   Credit and collection matters are generally determined by the Superior court, District Court, and the Boston Municipal Court, all of which are departments of the Trial Court. (c. 211B, s. 1.)

Superior Court:  The Superior Court has original jurisdiction of all civil actions, except those of which other courts have exclusive original jurisdiction.   (c. 212, s. 4.)   Cases involving an amount in controversy in excess of $25,000.00 are  determined by this court, and any cases having an amount in controversy of less than $25,000.00 are generally transferred to the District Court . (c. 231, s. 102C.)

District Court: The District Court hears civil contract and tort actions, small claims, various housing matters, paternity and support actions, and domestic abuse prevention proceedings,  known as 209A restraining orders. The jurisdictional limit in money or property claims generally may not exceed $25,000.00.  (c. 231, s. 104.)

Boston Municipal Court:  The jurisdiction of the Boston Municipal Court in civil actions is similar to that of the District Court  (c.218, s. 1.).  It also has concurrent jurisdiction over all waters, islands and places not included in the district of any one of said courts or of the district court of Chelsea, and within the jurisdiction of the superior court for Suffolk county, except as provided in the preceding and following sections. (c. 218, s. 2.)

Small Claims Court:  Small Claims Court is a division of the District Court and the Boston Municipal Court.  It has jurisdiction over money claims in an amount not to exceed $2,000.00.  (c. 218, s. 21.)