Lawyer Representation in Japan's Small Claims Court

What the Law Says

Japan’s small claims procedure is designed for swift, informal resolution of minor civil disputes. The law explicitly restricts professional legal representation to preserve its accessibility and efficiency.

Under Article 368-2 of the Civil Procedure Act (Minji Soshō Hō, Act No. 109 of 1996), small claims proceedings — which apply to claims up to ¥1,400,000 — are conducted without the assistance of attorneys. The parties must appear and argue their cases personally.

This prohibition applies regardless of complexity or the party’s legal knowledge. Exceptions exist only for corporate representatives acting within their authority (e.g., an officer filing on behalf of a company), but even then, external counsel may not speak or submit pleadings.

Statutory Text

In small claims proceedings, the parties themselves shall appear and state their cases; no agent may appear on their behalf.

— Civil Procedure Act, Article 368-2, Paragraph 1

What to Do

Sources

Related Questions