Judicial Council of California Form SC-120, Defendant’s Claim and ORDER to Go to Small Claims Court (Small Claims) Instructions

Enter the court case number assigned to this matter.

Enter the court case number assigned to this matter.

Enter the court-assigned case number for this small claims matter.

Enter the case name (typically the names of the parties, such as Plaintiff v. Defendant) as it appears on court records.

Enter the date the clerk filed the form with the court.

Enter the name of the clerk (or authorized staff) who completed the clerk section and is signing on behalf of the clerk.

Enter the full name of the court and the court’s street address where the case will be filed or heard.

Enter the full legal name of the first defendant (person, business, or public entity being sued).

Enter the phone number for the first defendant.

Enter the street address where the first defendant is located or can be served.

Enter the city for the first defendant's street address.

Enter the state for the first defendant's street address.

Enter the ZIP code for the first defendant's street address.

Enter the first defendant's mailing street address, if different from the street address.

Enter the city for the first defendant's mailing address, if different from the street address.

Enter the state for the first defendant's mailing address, if different from the street address.

Enter the ZIP code for the first defendant's mailing address, if different from the street address.

Enter the full legal name of the second defendant.

Enter the phone number for the second defendant.

Enter the second defendant’s street address.

Enter the city for the second defendant’s street address.

Enter the state for the second defendant’s street address.

Enter the ZIP code for the second defendant’s street address.

Enter the second defendant’s mailing street address (if different from the street address).

Enter the city for the second defendant’s mailing address (if different).

Enter the state for the second defendant’s mailing address (if different).

Enter the ZIP code for the second defendant’s mailing address (if different).

Check this box if there are more than two defendants and you will attach form SC-120A.

Check this box if either defendant listed above is doing business under a fictitious name and you will attach form SC-103.

Enter the dollar amount the defendant claims the plaintiff owes.

Provide a detailed explanation of how you calculated the amount you claim the plaintiff owes you, excluding any court costs or service fees.

Enter the date when the event or issue occurred that the defendant says caused the plaintiff to owe money.

Enter the start date of the time period when the event(s) occurred if there is no single specific date. Fill only if 'Defendant Claim Date' is blank (no specific date) .

Enter the end date of the time period when the event(s) occurred if there is no single specific date. Fill only if 'Defendant Claim Date' is blank (no specific date) .

Provide a detailed explanation of why you claim the plaintiff owes you money, including the key facts and circumstances.

Enter the full name(s) of the defendant(s) involved in this case.

Enter the date the defendant signs the declaration.

Enter the defendant’s full name as typed or printed.

Enter the full name(s) of all defendants in this case.

Check this box if you need additional space to explain Item 3, and attach one sheet of paper or form MC-031 labeled “SC-120, Item 3” at the top.

Enter any notes, questions, or details you want to provide for the county Small Claims Advisor regarding your case.

Enter the scheduled date for the first court hearing.

Enter the scheduled time for the first court hearing.

Enter the court department (department number or designation) where the first hearing will be held.

Enter the name and street address of the court for the first hearing if it is different from the court listed above. Fill only if 'Court Name and Street Address' is different from above.

Enter the scheduled date for the second court hearing.

Enter the scheduled time for the second court hearing.

Enter the court department (department number or name) where the second hearing will take place.

Enter the name and address of the court for the second hearing if it is different from the court listed above. Fill only if 'Court Name and Street Address' is different from above.

Enter the date scheduled for the third court hearing.

Enter the time scheduled for the third court hearing.

Enter the court department (department number or name) for the third hearing.

Enter the name and address of the court for the third hearing if it is different from the court listed above. Fill only if 'Court Name and Street Address' is different from above.

Enter the full legal name of the first plaintiff (person, business, or public entity that sued first).

Enter the phone number for the first plaintiff.

Enter the street address for the first plaintiff.

Enter the city for the first plaintiff's street address.

Enter the state for the first plaintiff's street address.

Enter the ZIP code for the first plaintiff's street address.

Enter the mailing street address for the first plaintiff if it is different from the street address.

Enter the city for the first plaintiff's mailing address (if different).

Enter the state for the first plaintiff's mailing address (if different).

Enter the ZIP code for the first plaintiff's mailing address (if different).

Enter the full name of the second plaintiff (the next plaintiff listed after the first).

Enter the phone number for the second plaintiff.

Enter the street address for the second plaintiff.

Enter the city for the second plaintiff's street address.

Enter the state for the second plaintiff's street address.

Enter the ZIP code for the second plaintiff's street address.

Enter the second plaintiff's mailing street address if it is different from the street address.

Enter the city for the second plaintiff's mailing address if different.

Enter the state for the second plaintiff's mailing address if different.

Enter the ZIP code for the second plaintiff's mailing address if different.

Check this box if there are more than two plaintiffs in the case and you will attach form SC-120A.

Check this box if any plaintiff is on active military duty and write that plaintiff’s name in the space provided.

Enter the name of the plaintiff who is on active military duty. Fill only if 'Plaintiff on active military duty (write name)' is 'Yes'.

Check this box if you asked the Plaintiff (in person, in writing, or by phone) to pay you before you sue.

Check this box if you did not ask the Plaintiff (in person, in writing, or by phone) to pay you before you sue.

Check this box if your claim is about an attorney-client fee dispute and you have had arbitration, and you are attaching form SC-101 to this form. Fill only if 'Q5 - Yes (Attorney-client fee dispute)' is 'Yes'.

Check this box if your claim is about an attorney-client fee dispute.

Check this box if your claim is not about an attorney-client fee dispute.

Check this box if you filed a written claim with the public entity and you will enter the date the claim was filed.

Enter the date the claim was filed with the public entity. Fill only if 'Q6 - Are you suing a public entity? (Yes)', 'Q6 - Claim was filed (date provided)' is 'Yes' and all.

Check this box if you are suing a public entity.

Check this box if you are not suing a public entity.

Check this box if you have filed more than 12 other small claims cases in California within the last 12 months.

Check this box if you have not filed more than 12 other small claims cases in California within the last 12 months.

Enter the date the second defendant signs the declaration. Fill only if 'More than one defendant (list next defendant here)' is 'Yes'.

Type or print the full name of the second defendant. Fill only if 'More than one defendant (list next defendant here)' is 'Yes'.