Small Claims Advisory Service
Staff Contact Information:
Kit Carroll
Kit@pbha.org
Student Director Contact Information:
The Small Claims Advisory Service is the only organization in Massachusetts that focuses primarily on helping individuals navigate the small claims court system in the Commonwealth. Our mission is to empower socioeconomically disadvantaged people in order for them to seek legal redress effectively through the small claims system – a system that is often opaque, especially to those who are informationally and otherwise under resourced – and to protect their rights as consumers, tenants, and members of our community. Through in-person, video, telephone and email communication, we provide clients with information on Massachusetts law, small claims and court presentation procedure. To learn more about SCAS and request support, visit masmallclaims.org.
History
PBHA's Small Claims Advisory Service (SCAS) was founded in 1973 as a subcommittee of the Phillips Brooks House Legal Committee. The first SCAS volunteers worked out of the Roxbury Courthouse, helping clients prepare for their cases by informing them of their rights. Originally, SCAS was no more than six students. Since that time, SCAS has grown considerably. It now has over 30 active volunteers helping the citizens of Massachusetts navigate the small claims system directly by phone and by appointment, and indirectly by advocating structural (i.e. legislative) change.