Court Name: District Court or Justice Court, in Philadelphia Small Claims Court

Dollar Limit: Philadelphia Municipal Court: $10,000; District or Justice Court: $8,000.

Where To Sue: Where defendant resides or is found or where breach or injury occurred. Corporation resides where it has principal place of business.

Service: Certified or registered mail, sheriff or court- approved disinterested adult.

Hearing Date: Municipal Court: Set by court. District or Justice Court: 12-60 days from service.

Attorneys: Allowed; required for corporations, except when corporation is defendant and claims is for more than $2,500 (Philadelphia Municipal Court).

Transfer: Municipal Court: If defendant counterclaims over jurisdictional limit, case tried in Court of Common Pleas. District or Justice Court: No provision.

Appeals: By either side for new trial or a trial by jury; to Court of Common Pleas within 30 days.

Special Provisions: District Justice Court: no real estate cases; court may order installment payments; court may order arbitration. Municipal Court: no jury trial. If claiming more than $2,000 for injury to self or property, will have to submit a verified (signed under oath) statement of claim (Philadelphia Municipal Court).

Entity to Sue: Sony BMG is a Delaware-based General Partnership with its principal place of business in New York. It, however, does business in all fifty states. The Court should serve a copy of the complaint on:

  • SONY BMG Music Entertainment
  • c/o Corporation Service Company, Registered Agent
  • 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400
  • Wilmington, DE 19808
  • (302) 636-5401

 

Court rules may change at any time. Contact the Clerk of your local Court to verify the accuracy of this information and to get copies of any necessary forms.