The current invention is related to a system and a method for session overload protocol (SIP) server overload detection and control. The current invention proceeds by receiving SIP messages at the SIP server from a communications network; processing the received SIP messages; detecting an overload based on a trigger condition as a result of receiving and processing SIP messages; and transitioning the SIP server to an overload state and applying appropriate control actions to mitigate the detected overload.