What Changed
- Judiciary reports handling 56,059 SCT filings in 2025, with over 70 percent involving claims of HK$25,000 or below.
- Government finds no imminent need to raise the HK$75,000 jurisdictional limit to HK$100,000 following caseload analysis.
- Full implementation of electronic operations via iCMS is planned for non-bulk SCT claims in Q1 2027.
### Background
The Small Claims Tribunal (SCT) in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Hong Kong SAR) is designed to offer a fast-track, accessible mechanism for resolving small civil and commercial monetary claims without requiring parties to undergo formal, high-cost court proceedings. Operating under the Small Claims Tribunal Ordinance (Cap. 338), the SCT handles monetary claims up to a statutory jurisdictional ceiling.
The jurisdictional limit of the SCT was last increased from HK$50,000 to HK$75,000 with effect from December 3, 2018. That adjustment followed a comprehensive review evaluating access to justice, court operational impact, economic indicators, and feedback from stakeholders.
On October 21, 2026, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, delivered a written reply in the Legislative Council to questions posed by the Hon Christine Fong. The parliamentary inquiry raised whether the Judiciary and Government plan to conduct a regular review and raise the statutory claim limit to HK$100,000 or higher to reflect inflation, economic growth, and rising commercial and property disputes. The inquiry also sought data on caseload trends, abandoned claim amounts, judicial staffing, and electronic filing developments.
### What the Rules Require and Current Judicial Data
Under the Small Claims Tribunal Ordinance (Cap. 338), the SCT possesses jurisdiction over monetary claims not exceeding HK$75,000. Major categories of claims processed by the tribunal include outstanding debts, service charges, property damage, goods sold, and general consumer disputes. The statutory framework expressly prohibits splitting or dividing claims into separate proceedings solely to bring individual sums within the tribunal's jurisdiction.
Official Judiciary statistics provided in the Government's reply outline the total volume and distribution of claims filed between 2023 and 2025:
- In 2023, the SCT received 52,304 cases. Of these, 33,817 cases (65 percent) involved claims of HK$25,000 or below; 7,820 cases (15 percent) fell between HK$25,000 and HK$50,000; and 10,667 cases (20 percent) were between HK$50,000 and HK$75,000.
- In 2024, total cases rose to 57,454, comprising 39,510 cases (69 percent) at HK$25,000 or below; 8,180 cases (14 percent) between HK$25,000 and HK$50,000; and 9,764 cases (17 percent) between HK$50,000 and HK$75,000.
- In 2025, total cases reached 56,059, with 39,006 cases (70 percent) at HK$25,000 or below; 7,862 cases (14 percent) between HK$25,000 and HK$50,000; and 9,191 cases (16 percent) between HK$50,000 and HK$75,000.
The Judiciary noted that it does not maintain specific statistics on how many claimants choose to expressly abandon claim portions above HK$75,000 in order to litigate before the tribunal.
Regarding court capacity and processing efficiency, average processing times from case filing to first hearing were 35 days in 2023, 41 days in 2024, and 41 days in 2025. Despite an annual caseload exceeding 50,000 cases since 2023, the tribunal has consistently met its target average waiting time. The Judiciary attributes this performance to active promotion of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms—such as mediation and out-of-court settlements—by Judges, Judicial Officers, and support staff. In 2025, over 90 percent of disposed cases were resolved through alternative dispute settlement mechanisms or withdrawal by the parties. Existing resource allocations are considered adequate to manage current caseloads.
Concerning potential statutory adjustments, the Judiciary observed that higher-value claim filings (above HK$50,000) dropped by approximately 43 percent annually during 2020–2022 compared to 2019 levels due to COVID-19. Although filings rose between 2023 and 2025, cases in the HK$50,000 to HK$75,000 range remained on average 31 percent below 2019 levels. Their proportional share of total SCT filings fell from around 26 percent in 2019 to 20 percent in 2023 and 16 percent in 2025. Consequently, the Judiciary concluded that there is no imminent need to raise the limit to HK$100,000, opting to monitor long-term data before evaluating further changes.
### Practical Implications
For individual litigants, businesses, and legal practitioners in Hong Kong, the statutory monetary limit for SCT proceedings remains HK$75,000. Entities seeking recovery of sums exceeding HK$75,000 must determine whether to pursue claims in the District Court or expressly waive the excess amount to utilize the SCT, keeping in mind the statutory ban on artificial claim-splitting.
Additionally, court users are experiencing increased digitisation. The integrated Court Case Management System (iCMS) was rolled out for bulk claims at the SCT in October 2024. As of September 2026, over 22,700 bulk claim cases (approximately 74 percent of all bulk claim cases) were initiated via iCMS. The Judiciary plans to extend iCMS to non-bulk claim cases and miscellaneous proceedings at the SCT in the first quarter of 2027.
### Frequently Asked Questions
**Q1: What is the current claim limit in the Small Claims Tribunal, and when was it established?**
A1: The current statutory limit is HK$75,000. It came into effect on December 3, 2018, when it was increased from HK$50,000.
**Q2: Is the Hong Kong Government planning to increase the Small Claims Tribunal limit to HK$100,000 in the near future?**
A2: No. The Judiciary indicated that there is no imminent need for an increase. Statistics indicate that claims between HK$50,000 and HK$75,000 remain on average 31 percent below 2019 levels, and the Judiciary intends to monitor data over a longer period.
**Q3: How were most cases resolved in the Small Claims Tribunal in 2025?**
A3: In 2025, over 90 percent of cases disposed of in the SCT were settled through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms (including mediation and out-of-court settlements) or withdrawn by the parties.
**Q4: What electronic services exist for Small Claims Tribunal filings?**
A4: Under the integrated Court Case Management System (iCMS), users can access electronic filing, electronic payment, electronic document management, and online case tracking. Introduced for bulk claims in October 2024, iCMS will expand to non-bulk claims and miscellaneous proceedings in the first quarter of 2027.
Who May Be Affected
Litigants, consumer claimants, businesses, and legal professionals pursuing minor civil claims in Hong Kong SAR.
Cross-Border Context
Not provided in source material.
What to check next
- Extension of iCMS to non-bulk claim cases and miscellaneous proceedings at the SCT in Q1 2027.
- Future statistics published by the Hong Kong Judiciary regarding Small Claims Tribunal caseloads.
This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. Consult the official text and obtain advice appropriate to your circumstances where needed.