Chapter 870 - Judicial Department

Sec. 51-1a. Composition of Judicial Department. (a) The Judicial Department of the state shall consist of the Supreme Court, the Appellate Court, the Superior Court, the Office of the Chief Court Administrator and their employees and divisions, the courts of probate, and, as provided in chapter 887, the Public Defender Services Commission. For the purposes of the general statutes, “Judicial Branch” means the Judicial Department.

(b) The territorial jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, the Appellate Court, and the Superior Court shall be coextensive with the boundaries of the state.

(c) The territorial jurisdiction of each court of probate shall be the probate district established for such court by statute. Each town in this state shall be a probate district or a part of a probate district.

(P.A. 76-436, S. 5, 681; P.A. 82-248, S. 1; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 83-29, S. 1, 82; P.A. 90-230, S. 65, 101; P.A. 03-202, S. 10.)

History: P.A. 82-248 made technical revision, adding “the division of criminal justice, the office of the chief court administrator, the commission on official legal publications, and, as provided in chapter 887, the public defender services commission”; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 83-29 included reference to appellate court; P.A. 90-230 deleted reference to “the division of criminal justice” from Subsec. (a); P.A. 03-202 amended Subsec. (a) by making a technical change, replacing reference to Commission on Official Legal Publications with reference to employees and divisions and adding provision defining “judicial branch”.

See Sec. 51-164s re Superior Court's status as sole trial court and transfer of Common Pleas and Juvenile Courts' jurisdictions to Superior Court.

Cited. 205 C. 542; 224 C. 372; 230 C. 183.

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Sec. 51-1b. Chief Justice of Supreme Court. Duties and powers. (a) The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall be the head of the Judicial Department and shall be responsible for its administration.

(b) The Chief Justice shall appoint a Chief Court Administrator who shall serve at the pleasure of the Chief Justice.

(c) The Chief Justice may take any action necessary in the event of a major disaster, emergency, civil preparedness emergency or disaster emergency, as those terms are defined in section 28-1, or a public health emergency, as defined in section 19a-131, to ensure the continued efficient operation of the Supreme, Appellate and Superior Courts, the prompt disposition of cases and the proper administration of judicial business. Such necessary action may include: (1) Establishing alternative locations to conduct judicial business in the event that one or more court locations cannot be used, (2) suspending any judicial business that is deemed not essential by the Chief Justice, and (3) taking any other appropriate action necessary to ensure that essential judicial business is effectively handled by the courts.

(P.A. 76-436, S. 10, 681; P.A. 82-248, S. 2; P.A. 10-43, S. 8.)

History: P.A. 82-248 made technical revision and deleted provisions re duties of chief court administrator; P.A. 10-43 added Subsec. (c) to authorize Chief Justice to take necessary action in event of disaster or emergency and specify what such action may include.

See Sec. 51-5a re duties of Chief Court Administrator.

Cited. 17 CA 71.

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Sec. 51-1c. Report of department to General Assembly. The Judicial Department shall biennially prepare a report concerning the department which shall include but not be limited to the Chief Court Administrator's recommendations concerning the operation of the court and the status of existing courtroom facilities. The Judicial Department shall transmit the report to the Governor who shall submit the report to the General Assembly at the opening of the regular session in odd-numbered years.

(P.A. 76-436, S. 10a, 34, 681; P.A. 78-280, S. 66, 127; P.A. 82-248, S. 3.)

History: P.A. 78-280 restated provision re contents of report; P.A. 82-248 restated former provisions but made no substantive change.

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Sec. 51-1d. Court Support Services Division. Transfer of duties of various offices, duties and personnel to Court Support Services Division. There is established a Court Support Services Division within the Judicial Branch consisting of Adult Probation Services, Family Services, Pretrial Services, Juvenile Services and Juvenile Clinical, Educational and Residential Services. Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, the duties of the various offices, divisions and personnel which comprise the Court Support Services Division are transferred to the Court Support Services Division, and the Office of Adult Probation, Office of Alternative Sanctions, Office of the Bail Commission, Family Division and Juvenile Detention Services Division are dissolved. The Judicial Branch shall establish such job titles and assign the units and functions formerly assigned to the offices, divisions and personnel which comprise the Court Support Services Division in order to efficiently and effectively carry out the duties of the Court Support Services Division.

(P.A. 99-215, S. 23, 29; P.A. 22-26, S. 14.)

History: P.A. 99-215 effective June 29, 1999 (Revisor's note: References to “Office of Bail Commission” were changed editorially by the Revisors to “Office of the Bail Commission” for accuracy); P.A. 22-26 replaced “the Office of Adult Probation, the Office of Alternative Sanctions, the Office of the Bail Commission, the Family Division and the Juvenile Detention Services Division” with “Adult Probation Services, Family Services, Pretrial Services, Juvenile Services and Juvenile Clinical, Educational and Residential Services”, effective May 10, 2022.

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Sec. 51-1e. Support Enforcement Services. Successor to Support Enforcement Division. Transfer of powers, duties, obligations and staff. The Support Enforcement Division of the Judicial Branch shall hereafter be known as Support Enforcement Services, which shall be the successor to the Support Enforcement Division and shall assume all the powers, duties and obligations of the Support Enforcement Division and its staff. Notwithstanding any other provision of the general statutes, the duties of the various personnel of the Support Enforcement Division and the staff of the Support Enforcement Division are hereby transferred to Support Enforcement Services, and the Support Enforcement Division is hereby dissolved.

(P.A. 01-91, S. 1.)

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Sec. 51-2. Chief Court Administrator. Section 51-2 is repealed.

(1953, S. 3128d; 1957, P.A. 651, S. 2; March, 1958, P.A. 5, S. 1; 1959, P.A. 28, S. 69; February, 1965, P.A. 331, S. 2; 1967, P.A. 622, S. 2; P.A. 73-116, S. 9; 73-667, S. 1, 2; P.A. 74-183, S. 10, 291; 74-186, S. 4, 12; P.A. 76-436, S. 9, 681.)

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Sec. 51-3. Inability of Chief Justice to act. In case of the death, disability, impeachment, resignation, absence from the state or other inability of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to exercise the powers and authority appertaining to the office of Chief Justice, the senior acting judge of said court for the time being shall exercise such powers and authority.

(1949 Rev., S. 7673; 1957, P.A. 651, S. 3.)

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Secs. 51-4 and 51-5. Chief Court Administrator to appoint Chief Judges of Superior, Common Pleas and Juvenile Courts; vacancy. Powers and duties of Chief Judges and Probate Court Administrator. Sections 51-4 and 51-5 are repealed.

(1957, P.A. 651, S. 4, 5; 1959, P.A. 28, S. 70, 71; February, 1965, P.A. 331, S. 3, 4; 1967, P.A. 558, S. 1, 2; 622, S. 5; P.A. 73-116, S. 10; 73-365, S. 2; 73-667, S. 1, 2; P.A. 74-183, S. 11, 12, 291; P.A. 76-436, S. 9, 681.)

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Sec. 51-5a. Duties and powers of Chief Court Administrator. (a) The Chief Court Administrator: (1) Shall be the administrative director of the Judicial Department and shall be responsible for the efficient operation of the department, the prompt disposition of cases and the prompt and proper administration of judicial business; (2) shall meet periodically at such places and times as the Chief Court Administrator may designate with any judge, judges or committee of judges, and with the Probate Court Administrator to transact such business as is necessary to ensure the efficient administration of the Judicial Department; (3) may issue such orders, require such reports and appoint other judges to such positions to perform such duties, as the Chief Court Administrator deems necessary to carry out his or her responsibilities; (4) may assign, reassign and modify assignments of the judges of the Superior Court to any division or part of the Superior Court and may order the transfer of actions under sections 51-347a and 51-347b; (5) may provide for the convening of conferences of the judges of the several courts, or any of them, and of such members of the bar as the Chief Court Administrator may determine, for the consideration of matters relating to judicial business, the improvement of the judicial system and the effective administration of justice in this state; and (6) may take any action necessary in the event of a major disaster, emergency, civil preparedness emergency or disaster emergency, as those terms are defined in section 28-1, or a public health emergency, as defined in section 19a-131, to ensure the continued efficient operation of the Supreme, Appellate and Superior Courts, the prompt disposition of cases and the proper administration of judicial business, which necessary action may include: (A) Establishing alternative locations to conduct judicial business in the event that one or more court locations cannot be used, (B) suspending any judicial business that is deemed not essential by the Chief Court Administrator, and (C) taking any other appropriate action necessary to ensure that essential judicial business is effectively handled by the courts.

(b) The Chief Court Administrator may establish reasonable fees for conducting searches of court records. No federal, state or municipal agency shall be required to pay any such fee.

(P.A. 82-248, S. 4; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-6, S. 70, 117; P.A. 10-43, S. 9.)

History: May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-6 added new Subsec. (b) to permit the chief court administrator to establish fees for conducting searches of court records; P.A. 10-43 amended Subsec. (a) to add Subdiv. (6) authorizing Chief Court Administrator to take necessary action in event of disaster or emergency and specifying what such action may include and to make technical changes.

Cited. 192 C. 234; 206 C. 323; 209 C. 204.

Cited. 42 CS 129.

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Sec. 51-5b. Chief Court Administrator to establish and administer Judicial Data Processing Revolving Fund. Transfers to General Fund. (a) The Chief Court Administrator shall establish and administer a fund to be known as the Judicial Data Processing Revolving Fund which shall be used for the purpose of maintaining and improving any informational data processing system operated by the Judicial Department. The Chief Court Administrator is authorized to expend funds necessary for all reasonable direct expenses relating to the administration and operation of said fund. As used in this section, “data processing system” means the combined motor vehicle, criminal and civil informational systems on pending and disposed cases.

(b) Any person or public agency seeking on-line access to any data processing system operated and administered by the Office of the Chief Court Administrator, or seeking information stored in such data processing system in a format other than as provided by the Office of the Chief Court Administrator, may be required to pay to the Office of the Chief Court Administrator an amount, as established in a fee schedule determined by the Office of the Chief Court Administrator, for deposit by the Office of the Chief Court Administrator in a fund established in subsection (a) of this section. Such fee schedule may include reasonable charges for personal services, fringe benefits, supplies and any other expenses related to maintaining, improving and providing such data processing services including, but not limited to, program modifications, training expenses, central processor user time and the rental and maintenance of equipment.

(c) The Judicial Data Processing Revolving Fund shall be held separate and apart from all other moneys, funds and accounts. Any balance remaining in said fund at the end of any fiscal year shall be carried forward in the fund for the next fiscal year, except that on June 30, 2013, and on each June thirtieth thereafter, if the balance remaining in said fund exceeds five million dollars, the amount in excess of five million dollars shall be transferred to the General Fund.

(P.A. 91-342, S. 1, 2; P.A. 94-128, S. 2, 3; P.A. 12-89, S. 1.)

History: P.A. 91-342 effective from July 1, 1991, to July 1, 1994; P.A. 94-128 deleted former Subsecs. (d) and (e) re report to general assembly and re transfer of balance in fund on July 1, 1994 to general fund, respectively, effective May 24, 1994; P.A. 12-89 amended Subsec. (a) to substitute “shall” for “is authorized to”, amended Subsec. (b) to delete “dial up” re access, and amended Subsec. (c) to add provision re funds in excess of $5,000,000 to be transferred to General Fund, effective July 1, 2012.

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Sec. 51-5c. Automated registry of protective orders. Policies and procedures for operation of registry. (a) The Chief Court Administrator shall establish and maintain an automated registry of protective orders that shall contain (1) protective or restraining orders issued by courts of this state, including, but not limited to, orders issued pursuant to sections 46b-15, 46b-16a, 46b-38c, 53a-40e, 54-1k, 54-82q and 54-82r, and (2) foreign orders of protection that have been registered in this state pursuant to section 46b-15a. The registry shall clearly indicate the date of commencement, the termination date, if specified, and the duration of any order contained therein. The Chief Court Administrator shall adopt policies and procedures for the operation of the registry, which shall include policies and procedures governing the disclosure of information in the registry to the judges of the Superior Court and employees of the Judicial Department.

(b) (1) The following information contained in the registry of protective orders shall not be subject to disclosure and may be accessed only in accordance with this section, unless otherwise ordered by the court: (A) Any information that would identify a person protected by an order contained in the registry; (B) any information that is confidential pursuant to state or federal law, including, but not limited to, any information that is confidential pursuant to a court order; and (C) any information entered in the registry pursuant to an ex parte order prior to a hearing by a court having jurisdiction over the parties and the subject matter.

(2) Any judge of the Superior Court or any employee of the Judicial Department who is authorized by policies and procedures adopted by the Chief Court Administrator pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall have access to such information. The Chief Court Administrator may grant access to such information to personnel of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, the Department of Correction, the Board of Pardons and Paroles, the Psychiatric Security Review Board, the Division of Criminal Justice, any municipal or tribal police department within this state or any other agency, organization or person determined by the Chief Court Administrator, pursuant to policies and procedures adopted by the Chief Court Administrator, to have a legitimate interest in the information contained in the registry. Any person who obtains such information pursuant to this subdivision may use and disclose the information only in the performance of such person's duties.

(3) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, the information contained in the registry shall be provided to and may be accessed through the Connecticut on-line law enforcement communications teleprocessing system maintained by the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit public access to the Connecticut on-line law enforcement communications teleprocessing system.

(c) Any person protected by an order contained in the registry of protective orders may make a request in writing, on a form prescribed by the Chief Court Administrator, that the registry not disclose such protected person's name and address except to the law enforcement agency for the town in which (1) such protected person resides, (2) such protected person is employed, or (3) the person subject to the order resides.

(d) Any person who has reason to believe that information concerning such person which is contained in the registry of protective orders is not consistent with a valid court order may submit a written request for verification of such information to the clerk of the superior court for the judicial district in which such order was issued. If the clerk finds that such information contained in the registry is not consistent with such order, the clerk shall promptly cause such information to be removed from the registry.

(e) The orders and other information required or permitted to be contained in the registry of protective orders may be entered in the registry in any written or electronic form approved by the Chief Court Administrator. For the purposes of this section, an order is contained in the registry if the information contained in such order and information concerning the issuance of such order is entered in the registry in a manner approved by the Chief Court Administrator pursuant to this subsection.

(P.A. 02-132, S. 53; P.A. 03-98, S. 2; P.A. 04-257, S. 118; P.A. 05-108, S. 5; P.A. 10-144, S. 4; P.A. 11-51, S. 134; P.A. 14-217, S. 189.)

History: P.A. 02-132 effective January 1, 2003; P.A. 03-98 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing provision re automated registry may contain protective orders issued by courts of other states with provision re automated registry shall contain foreign orders of protection and adding subdivision designators; P.A. 04-257 amended Subsec. (b)(2) to delete reference to personnel of the Board of Parole, effective June 14, 2004; P.A. 05-108 amended Subsec. (b)(2) to restore reference to personnel of the Board of Pardons and Paroles, effective June 7, 2005; P.A. 10-144 amended Subsec. (a) to include policies and procedures governing disclosure of information in registry to judges and employees of Judicial Department and amended Subsec. (b)(2) to include access to information for judges who are authorized by policies and procedures adopted pursuant to Subsec. (a); pursuant to P.A. 11-51, “Department of Public Safety” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection” in Subsec. (b)(2) and (3), effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 14-217 amended Subsec. (a)(1) to add reference to Sec. 46b-16a, effective January 1, 2015.

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Sec. 51-5d. Chief Court Administrator to transfer certain revenue to organization administering program for use of interest earned on lawyers' clients' funds accounts and to Judicial Data Processing Revolving Fund. (a) The Chief Court Administrator, or a designee, on or before the last day of January, April, July and October in each year, shall certify the amount of revenue received as a result of any fee increase that took effect July 1, 2009, set forth in sections 52-258, 52-259, 52-259c and 52-361a, and transfer such amount to the organization administering the program for the use of interest earned on lawyers' clients' funds accounts pursuant to section 51-81c, for the purpose of funding the delivery of legal services to the poor.

(b) The Chief Court Administrator, or a designee, on or before the last day of January, April, July and October in each year, shall (1) certify the amount of revenue received as a result of any fee increase that took effect July 1, 2012, set forth in (A) section 52-259, (B) section 52-259c, (C) subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 52-356a, (D) subsection (a) of section 52-361a, (E) subsection (b) of section 52-367a, and (F) subsection (b) of section 52-367b, and (2) transfer (A) seventy per cent of such amount prior to July 1, 2014, and ninety-five per cent of such amount on or after July 1, 2014, to the organization administering the program for the use of interest earned on lawyers' clients' funds accounts pursuant to section 51-81c, for the purpose of funding the delivery of legal services to the poor, and (B) thirty per cent of such amount prior to July 1, 2014, and five per cent of such amount on or after July 1, 2014, to the Judicial Data Processing Revolving Fund established in section 51-5b, for the purpose of maintaining and improving any informational data processing system operated by the Judicial Department, subject to the transfer requirements of subsection (c) of section 51-5b.

(c) The Chief Court Administrator, or a designee, on or before the last day of January, April, July and October in each year, shall certify the amount of revenue received as a result of any fee increase that took effect July 1, 2016, set forth in sections 52-258, 52-259, 52-259c, 52-356a, 52-361a, 52-367a and 52-367b and transfer such amount to the organization administering the program for the use of interest earned on lawyers' clients' funds accounts pursuant to section 51-81c, for the purpose of funding the delivery of legal services to the poor.

(P.A. 09-152, S. 5; P.A. 10-32, S. 146; P.A. 12-89, S. 8, 15; P.A. 14-217, S. 179, 260; P.A. 16-26, S. 9.)

History: P.A. 09-152 effective July 1, 2009; P.A. 10-32 made a technical change, effective May 10, 2010; P.A. 12-89 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a) and added Subsec. (b) re fee increases effective July 1, 2012, and transfer of 70% of amount from such fee increases for delivery of legal services to the poor and 30% of such amount to Judicial Data Processing Revolving Fund, effective July 1, 2012, and deleted Subsec. (b) and made a conforming change, effective August 1, 2015; P.A. 14-217 amended Subsec. (b)(2) to increase to 95 per cent the amount of fees transferred for delivery of legal services to the poor and reduce to 5 per cent the amount transferred to Judicial Data Processing Revolving Fund, and made technical changes, effective July 1, 2014, and repealed P.A. 12-89, S. 15, effective October 1, 2014; P.A. 16-26 added Subsec. (c) re fee increases effective July 1, 2016, and transfer of such amount for delivery of legal services to the poor, effective July 1, 2016.

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Sec. 51-6. Chief Court Administrator to meet with judges and Probate Court Administrator. Section 51-6 is repealed.

(1957, P.A. 651, S. 6; February, 1965, P.A. 331, S. 5; 1967, P.A. 558, S. 3; P.A. 76-436, S. 10a, 651, 681; P.A. 82-248, S. 163.)

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Sec. 51-6a. Chief Justice or Chief Court Administrator may meet with judges of any court. (a) The Chief Justice or the Chief Court Administrator may meet with the judges of any court at any meeting of such judges to consider matters relating to the operation of the court and may call a special meeting of the judges of any court at a designated time and place to consider such matters.

(b) The Chief Justice may, in his discretion, preside at any meeting which he attends.

(1959, P.A. 28, S. 72; February, 1965, P.A. 331, S. 6; P.A. 76-436, S. 10a, 42, 681; P.A. 82-248, S. 5.)

History: 1965 act added chief court administrator to first sentence; P.A. 76-436 made no change in section, Sec. 10a cancelling amendment called for by Sec. 42 of the act; P.A. 82-248 rephrased section but made no substantive change and divided section into Subsecs.

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Sec. 51-6b. Chief Court Administrator to identify additional secure child visitation centers. The Chief Court Administrator shall identify additional secure visitation centers for the purpose of facilitating visits between children and those family members who are subject to supervised visitation. The Chief Court Administrator shall prepare a list of such secure visitation centers and shall make copies of such list available to the public at no charge. Such list may include visitation centers established pursuant to section 17a-101l for visitation for children in the custody of the Commissioner of Children and Families.

(P.A. 03-52, S. 1.)

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Sec. 51-7. Conferences of judges and members of the bar. Section 51-7 is repealed.

(1957, P.A. 651, S. 7; February, 1965, P.A. 331, S. 36; P.A. 76-436, S. 10a, 43, 681; P.A. 82-248, S. 163.)

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Sec. 51-8. Establishment of office for administration of nonjudicial business of the Judicial Department. There shall be an office for the administration of the nonjudicial business of the Judicial Department under the direction of the Chief Court Administrator.

(1949 Rev., S. 7661; 1957, P.A. 651, S. 8; February, 1965, P.A. 331, S. 7; 1967, P.A. 471, S. 1; P.A. 76-436, S. 10a, 44, 681; P.A. 78-280, S. 122, 127; P.A. 82-248, S. 6; P.A. 18-75, S. 7.)

History: 1965 act provided for secretary's appointment by chief court administrator instead of chief justice; 1967 act added assistant executive secretary; P.A. 76-436 made no change in section, Sec. 10a cancelling amendment called for in Sec. 44 of the act; P.A. 78-280 removed provisions authorizing appointment of assistant executive secretary and added provision forbidding executive secretary to engage in private practice of law; P.A. 82-248 divided section into Subsecs. and reworded provisions but made no substantive change; P.A. 18-75 deleted former Subsec. (b) re executive secretary and deleted Subsec. (a) designator, effective June 4, 2018.

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Sec. 51-9. Duties of staff of the Office of the Chief Court Administrator. Under the supervision and direction of the Chief Court Administrator, the staff of the Office of Chief Court Administrator shall:

(1) Audit all bills to be paid from state appropriations, except bills of the Division of Criminal Justice, for the expenses of the Judicial Department and its constituent courts prior to taxation or final approval thereof by any judge;

(2) Maintain adequate accounting and budgetary records for all appropriations by the state for the maintenance of the Judicial Department, except the Division of Criminal Justice, and all other appropriations assigned by the legislature or state budgetary control offices for administration by the Judicial Department, except the Division of Criminal Justice;

(3) Prepare and submit to the appropriate budget agency of the state government estimates of appropriations necessary for the maintenance and operation of the Judicial Department, including therein estimates submitted for the Division of Criminal Justice as provided in section 51-279, and make recommendations in respect to those appropriations;

(4) Act as secretary of any meetings, conferences or assemblies of judges, or committees thereof, of the Judicial Department and of its constituent courts;

(5) Supervise all purchases of commodities and services for the Judicial Department, except for the Division of Criminal Justice, to be charged to state appropriations, and issue all orders therefor for the department, excluding orders for the Division of Criminal Justice;

(6) Examine the administrative methods and systems employed in the Judicial Department and its constituent courts and agencies, except the Division of Criminal Justice, and develop and implement programs for the improvement thereof and for securing uniform administration and procedures;

(7) Examine the state of the dockets of the courts of the Judicial Department to ascertain the need for assistance by any court and to implement programs for the fair and prompt disposition of cases therein;

(8) Collect and compile statistical and other data concerning the business transacted by the Judicial Department and its constituent courts and the expenditure of public moneys for the maintenance and operation of the judicial system;

(9) Assist in the preparation of the assignments of the judges of the Superior Court and attend to the printing and distribution for the Superior Court of an annual directory containing relevant information pertaining to the operation of the court;

(10) Serve as payroll officer for the Judicial Department, excluding the Division of Criminal Justice, and for the Supreme Court, Appellate Court and Superior Court;

(11) Supervise the assignment of court reporters of the Superior Court;

(12) Conduct research and planning activities for the Judicial Department and its constituent courts and offices as deemed feasible by, or in the discretion of, the Chief Justice or the Chief Court Administrator;

(13) Develop education programs for the judges and other personnel of the Judicial Department;

(14) Develop personnel standards, policies and procedures, and make recommendations concerning all personnel matters, including requests for salary increases or for additional positions, for consideration by the Supreme Court or the appropriate appointing authorities;

(15) Report periodically to the Chief Court Administrator concerning all matters which have been entrusted to such staff;

(16) Attend to matters assigned to such staff by the Chief Justice, or the Chief Court Administrator or by statute;

(17) Design, implement and maintain, as deemed feasible by the Chief Court Administrator, computerized automatic data processing systems for use in the Supreme Court, Appellate Court and Superior Court or divisions of the Superior Court;

(18) Supervise administrative methods employed in clerks' offices and in the various offices of the Supreme Court, Appellate Court and Superior Court; and

(19) Supervise the care and control of all property where the Judicial Department is the primary occupant, which supervision shall include planning, execution of contracts, except for contracts for consultant services which shall be subject to section 4b-58, oversight and supervision of work involving the construction, repair or alteration of a building or premises under the supervision of the Office of the Chief Court Administrator, when construction contracts do not exceed one million two hundred fifty thousand dollars. For the purposes of this subdivision, “Judicial Department” does not include the courts of probate, the Division of Criminal Justice and the Public Defender Services Commission, except where they share facilities in state-maintained courts.

(1949 Rev., S. 7661; 1957, P.A. 651, S. 9; 1959, P.A. 28, S. 73; February, 1965, P.A. 331, S. 8; P.A. 73-122, S. 14, 27; P.A. 74-183, S. 13, 291; 74-338, S. 65, 94; P.A. 75-530, S. 3, 35; P.A. 76-436, S. 10a, 45, 681; P.A. 78-280, S. 123, 127; P.A. 81-283, S. 1, 3; P.A. 82-248, S. 7; P.A. 83-295, S. 3; P.A. 84-198, S. 6, 7; 84-436, S. 7, 12; Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-7, S. 132; P.A. 18-75, S. 8.)

History: 1959 act added reference to circuit court in Subdivs. (h) and (j); 1965 act substituted chief court administrator for chief justice in first clause and Subdivs. (k) and (l); P.A. 73-122 specified applicability or inapplicability of existing provisions to the division of criminal justice; P.A. 74-183 required executive secretary to act as secretary for meetings and committees of judges in Subdiv. (d), required secretary to develop and implement programs rather than make recommendations in Subdiv. (f), required secretary to implement programs for fair and expeditious dispatch of litigation in Subdiv. (g) and placed duties re compilation of data in separate Subdiv. (h), relettering former Subdivs. (h) to (j) accordingly and removing references to circuit court, inserted new Subdivs. (l) to (n) re research and planning, education programs and personnel matters, relettering former Subdivs. (k) and (l) accordingly and added Subdivs. (q) and (r) re data processing and administrative methods, effective December 31, 1974; P.A. 74-338 made technical correction in Subdiv. (c); P.A. 75-530 added detail re contents of booklet in Subdiv. (i); P.A. 76-436 deleted reference to chief judges in Subdiv. (d), deleted references to court of common pleas in Subdivs. (i) and (k), deleted reference to executive secretary in Subdiv. (l) and added Subdiv. (s) re transfer of jurisdiction, effective July 1, 1978; P.A. 78-280 applied provisions to other staff members of chief court administrator's office; P.A. 81-283 excluded division of criminal justice from certain duties of office of chief court administrator; P.A. 82-248 made technical revision, rephrasing some provisions, dividing section into numerical Subdivs. and eliminating obsolete provision re duty to effectuate transfer of jurisdiction under Sec. 51-164s; P.A. 83-295 amended Subdiv. (9) by changing “booklet” to “directory” and deleting the provision that it include any assignments made prior to publication; P.A. 84-198 amended Subdivs. (10), (17) and (18) by adding “appellate court”; P.A. 84-436 added Subdiv. (19) re supervision of all property where the judicial department is the primary occupant and a definition of “judicial department”, effective July 1, 1985; Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-7 amended Subdiv. (19) to provide that supervision shall include planning, execution of contracts, oversight and supervision of work when construction contracts do not exceed $1,250,000 and make a technical change, effective October 5, 2009; P.A. 18-75 amended introductory language by deleting “executive secretary and other members of the” and amended Subdivs. (15) and (16) by making technical changes, effective June 4, 2018.

Cited. 192 C. 234.

Cited. 42 CS 129.

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Sec. 51-9a. Alkaline paper for photocopies. All photocopies made by the Judicial Department shall be made using paper that meets or exceeds the American National Standards Institute standards for permanent paper, unless such paper is not available.

(P.A. 91-144, S. 7.)

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Sec. 51-9b. Portraits of retiring Chief Justices. The Judicial Branch is authorized to use such appropriations as deemed necessary to procure portraits of retiring Chief Justices to hang in the Supreme Court and State Library building.

(P.A. 94-169, S. 3, 20.)

History: P.A. 94-169 effective July 1, 1994.

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Sec. 51-10. Appointment of Jury Administrator and assistants. Selection of director of security and safety of the Judicial Department. (a) The Chief Court Administrator, subject to the provisions of section 51-12, shall appoint and fix the compensation of a Jury Administrator and such other assistants as are necessary to enable the Jury Administrator to perform the duties of his office.

(b) The Chief Court Administrator may select from among inspectors appointed by the Chief State's Attorney an individual who shall serve as the director of security and safety of the Judicial Department while retaining his status as an inspector in the Division of Criminal Justice. Such inspector shall serve at the pleasure of the Chief Court Administrator in the capacity of director of security and safety of the Judicial Department, and shall be paid from funds appropriated to the Judicial Department.

(1957, P.A. 651, S. 10; P.A. 73-589, S. 1, 4; P.A. 78-280, S. 124, 127; 78-331, S. 53, 58; P.A. 82-248, S. 120; P.A. 85-414, S. 4, 5; P.A. 86-403, S. 83, 132.)

History: P.A. 73-589 authorized appointment of jury administrator; P.A. 78-280 transferred appointment power from executive secretary to chief court administrator and deleted reference to executive secretary in provision prohibiting practice of law; P.A. 78-331 made technical grammatical change to correct inadvertent error in P.A. 78-280; P.A. 82-248 rephrased the section but made no substantive changes; P.A. 85-414 deleted prohibition of practice of law by jury administrator and assistants and added Subsec. (b) re selection of director of security and safety of judicial department from among inspectors in the division of criminal justice, effective December 2, 1985, upon certification of one chief court administrator that the courthouse at New London is operational; P.A. 86-403 changed effective date of P.A. 85-414 with regard to this section to June 11, 1986.

See Sec. 51-219a re duties of Jury Administrator.

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Sec. 51-10a. (Formerly Sec. 51-146b). Personnel Administrator. Section 51-10a is repealed.

(P.A. 73-409, S. 1, 2; P.A. 74-183, S. 223, 291; P.A. 76-436, S. 10a, 192, 681; P.A. 78-280, S. 67, 127; P.A. 79-335.)

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Sec. 51-10b. Contract with Children in Placement, Inc., promoting permanency planning for children. Beginning September 1, 1994, and annually thereafter, the Judicial Department shall contract with Children in Placement, Inc. to provide services to assist the court in preparing and monitoring expectations to promote permanency planning for children. The sum of one hundred fifty thousand dollars shall be expended annually by the Judicial Department, from existing appropriations, for such contract.

(May Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-5, S. 20, 30.)

History: May Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-5 effective July 1, 1994.

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Sec. 51-10c. Commission on Racial and Ethnic Disparity in the Criminal Justice System. Duties. (a) There is established a Commission on Racial and Ethnic Disparity in the Criminal Justice System. The commission shall consist of the Chief Court Administrator, the Chief State's Attorney, the Chief Public Defender, the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, the Commissioner of Correction, the Commissioner of Children and Families, the Child Advocate, the Victim Advocate, the chairperson of the Board of Pardons and Paroles, the chairperson of the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity, or their designees, two members of the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity designated by the executive director of the commission, a representative of municipal police chiefs, a representative of a coalition representing police and correctional officers, six members appointed one each by the president pro tempore of the Senate, the speaker of the House of Representatives, the majority leader of the Senate, the majority leader of the House of Representatives, the minority leader of the Senate and the minority leader of the House of Representatives, and two members appointed by the Governor. The Chief Court Administrator or said administrator's designee shall serve as chairperson of the commission. The commission shall meet quarterly and at such other times as the chairperson deems necessary.

(b) The mission of the commission shall be to address the overrepresentation of racial and ethnic minorities, with particular attention to African-Americans and Latinos, in the state's criminal justice system, and shall include consideration of the impact of such racial and ethnic disparity on minority communities. The commission shall:

(1) Sponsor conferences, forums and educational and training programs on the causes, effects and implications of racial and ethnic disparity in the state's criminal justice system;

(2) Collaborate with national, state and local organizations and institutions to identify strategies for reducing racial and ethnic disparity in the state's criminal justice system;

(3) Develop, evaluate and recommend promising and emerging policies and practices, including any legislation to implement such policies and practices;

(4) Determine whether any statutory provision negatively impacts the racial and ethnic disparity in the state's criminal justice system and recommend statutory changes to the Governor and General Assembly to reduce such impact;

(5) Make recommendations to the Governor, the General Assembly and state and local agencies and organizations on the implementation of any such strategy, policy, practice or legislative change; and

(6) Assess the impact of any implementation of such strategies, policies, practices or legislative changes.

(c) Not later than January 15, 2017, and biennially thereafter, the commission shall report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the Governor and the General Assembly concerning the activities and accomplishments of the commission. Such report shall cover the time period since the previous report.

(P.A. 00-154; P.A. 04-234, S. 2; P.A. 06-196, S. 179; P.A. 11-51, S. 134; P.A. 15-109, S. 1; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 16-3, S. 166; P.A. 19-117, S. 141.)

History: P.A. 04-234 replaced Board of Parole with Board of Pardons and Paroles, effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 06-196 made a technical change in Subsec. (b)(10), effective June 7, 2006; pursuant to P.A. 11-51, “Commissioner of Public Safety” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection” in Subsec. (a), effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 15-109 amended Subsec. (a) by adding “the chairperson of the Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission” and adding provision re quarterly meeting, amended Subsec. (b) by adding provision re mission of commission and replacing former provisions in Subdivs. (1) to (12) with provisions re duties of commission in new Subdivs. (1) to (6), and amended Subsec. (c) by replacing provision re annual reporting of additional resources with provisions re biennial reporting of activities of commission and adding reference to Governor; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 16-3 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing reference to chairpersons of African-American Affairs, Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs and Asian Pacific American Affairs Commissions with reference to chairperson and two members of Commission on Equity and Opportunity, effective July 1, 2016; P.A. 19-117 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing “Commission on Equity and Opportunity” with “Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity”, effective July 1, 2019 (Revisor's note: Pursuant to P.A. 19-117, “Commission on Equity and Opportunity” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity”).

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Sec. 51-10d. Judicial Branch Internet web site. Notice and information re animal-assisted therapy. The Judicial Branch shall maintain on its Internet web site (1) notice that the court may exercise its discretion to permit a dog to provide comfort and support to a testifying witness, (2) a hyperlink to the Internet web site of an organization that provides information regarding animal-assisted therapy resources, and (3) if applicable, a hyperlink to information regarding such resources on the Internet web site of the Division of Criminal Justice.

(P.A. 17-185, S. 1.)

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Sec. 51-11. Judges and clerks to furnish information to Chief Court Administrator. The judges, clerks and all other officers and employees of the Judicial Department shall comply with all requests of the Chief Court Administrator or his assistants for information and statistical data bearing on the business of the courts.

(1957, P.A. 651, S. 11; P.A. 78-280, S. 125, 127.)

History: P.A. 78-280 replaced executive secretary with chief court administrator.

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Secs. 51-11a and 51-11b. Registrar of wills. Disposition of wills in possession of registrar. Sections 51-11a and 51-11b are repealed.

(1967, P.A. 680, S. 1–4; P.A. 73-66, S. 1, 2; P.A. 76-436, S. 46, 681.)

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Sec. 51-12. Compensation plan; employment regulations; sick leave. (a) With the exception of those employees whose compensation is fixed by statute, the judges of the Supreme Court shall, from time to time, prescribe the compensation plan for all employees of the Supreme Court and the Superior Court and other employees of the Judicial Department.

(b) The compensation plan may include regulations concerning employee hiring and separation practices, sick leave, vacation leave, absences with and without pay, longevity payments, increments and all other matters regarding personnel policies and procedures. The judges of the Supreme Court shall establish such job classifications as they deem necessary as part of the plan.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, subsection (c) of section 5-247 and subsection (d) of section 5-250, sick leave accruals earned by employees of the Judicial Department prior to June 30, 1967, may be credited for payment on retirement under regulations promulgated by the judges of the Supreme Court pursuant to the provisions of this section.

(1957, P.A. 651, S. 12; February, 1965, P.A. 331, S. 10; P.A. 73-122, S. 20, 27; P.A. 74-183, S. 14, 291; 74-217, S. 3, 4; P.A. 82-248, S. 8; P.A. 84-406, S. 10, 13.)

History: 1965 act added provision clarifying applicability of section with regard to salaries; P.A. 73-122 restated provisions, specifically included judicial department employees other than those employed in courts and criminal justice division employees, specified regulation subject matter included in plan, deleted requirement that chief justice approve classification and salary of prospective appointee or employee before he is hired and specified appointing authority referred to in provision added in 1965 as circuit court judges; P.A. 74-183 deleted provision added in 1965 act re inapplicability of section where circuit court judges empowered to set salaries; P.A. 74-217 added provision re payment for accrued sick leave upon retirement; P.A. 82-248 made technical revision, rewording some provisions and dividing section into Subsecs., but made no substantive change; P.A. 84-406 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting reference to employees in division of criminal justice, effective November 28, 1984, upon certification by secretary of state of vote on constitutional amendment re state's attorneys.

With respect to employee of Judicial Department, the more specific terms in section prevail over the more general terms of State Personnel Act; section does not expressly waive state's sovereign immunity nor does it waive sovereign immunity by force of necessary implication. 118 CA 65.

Cited. 28 CS 368.

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Sec. 51-12a. Transferred to Chapter 873, Sec. 51-51w.

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Sec. 51-13. Variance of sessions of Superior Court. Section 51-13 is repealed.

(1957, P.A. 651, S. 13; February, 1965, P.A. 331, S. 11; P.A. 76-436, S. 10a, 47, 681; P.A. 78-331, S. 54, 58.)

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Sec. 51-14. Rules of court. Disapproval of rules by General Assembly. Hearings. (a) The judges of the Supreme Court, the judges of the Appellate Court, and the judges of the Superior Court shall adopt and promulgate and may from time to time modify or repeal rules and forms regulating pleading, practice and procedure in judicial proceedings in courts in which they have the constitutional authority to make rules, for the purpose of simplifying proceedings in the courts and of promoting the speedy and efficient determination of litigation upon its merits. The rules of the Appellate Court shall be as consistent as feasible with the rules of the Supreme Court to promote uniformity in the procedure for the taking of appeals and may dispense, so far as justice to the parties will permit while affording a fair review, with the necessity of printing of records and briefs. Such rules shall not abridge, enlarge or modify any substantive right or the jurisdiction of any of the courts. Such rules shall become effective on such date as the judges specify but not in any event until sixty days after such promulgation, except that such rules may become effective prior to the expiration of the sixty-day time period if the judges deem that circumstances require that a new rule or a change to an existing rule be adopted expeditiously.

(b) All statutes relating to pleading, practice and procedure in existence on July 1, 1957, shall be deemed to be rules of court and shall remain in effect as such only until modified, superseded or suspended by rules adopted and promulgated by the judges of the Supreme Court or the Superior Court pursuant to the provisions of this section. The Chief Justice shall report any such rules to the General Assembly for study at the beginning of each regular session. Such rules shall be referred by the speaker of the House or by the president of the Senate to the judiciary committee for its consideration and such committee shall schedule hearings thereon. Any rule or any part thereof disapproved by the General Assembly by resolution shall be void and of no effect and a copy of such resolution shall thereafter be published once in the Connecticut Law Journal.

(c) The judges or a committee of their number shall hold public hearings, of which reasonable notice shall be given in the Connecticut Law Journal and otherwise as they deem proper, upon any proposed new rule or any change in an existing rule that is to come before said judges for action, and each such proposed new rule or change in an existing rule shall be published in the Connecticut Law Journal as a part of such notice. A public hearing shall be held at least once a year, of which reasonable notice shall likewise be given, at which any member of the bar or layman may bring to the attention of the judges any new rule or change in an existing rule that he deems desirable.

(d) Upon the taking effect of such rules adopted and promulgated by the judges of the Supreme Court pursuant to the provisions of this section, all provisions of rules theretofore promulgated by the judges of the Superior Court shall be deemed to be repealed.

(1953, 1955, S. 3129d; 1955, S. 3130d; 1957, P.A. 651, S. 27; P.A. 76-436, S. 48, 681; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 83-29, S. 9, 82; P.A. 07-217, S. 186; P.A. 21-104, S. 38.)

History: P.A. 76-436 amended section to extend power to adopt and modify rules, etc. to superior court judges and added Subsec. (e) re rules to effectuate transfer of jurisdiction, effective July 1, 1978; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 83-29 included reference to judges of appellate court, added provision re rules of appellate court and deleted provisions of Subsec. (e) re rules necessary for transfer of jurisdiction pursuant to Sec. 51-164s; P.A. 07-217 made technical changes in Subsec. (a), effective July 12, 2007; P.A. 21-104 amended Subsec. (a) to delete provision re being subject to Subsec. (b) and add provision re effective date of rules when circumstances require adoption of rules expeditiously, effective June 28, 2021.

Rules made under former section have the force of statutes. 59 C. 45. Rules can only give effect to the real purpose of the practice act. 73 C. 6. Cited. 115 C. 101; 140 C. 643; 145 C. 222; 157 C. 157; 186 C. 153; 187 C. 292; 190 C. 657; 194 C. 312; 217 C. 532; 222 C. 299; 223 C. 411; 224 C. 711; 226 C. 757; 229 C. 178.

Cited. 17 CA 219; 25 CA 262; 32 CA 1; 37 CA 252; judgment reversed, see 236 C. 388; Id., 801; 39 CA 632; 42 CA 17; Id., 768.

Cited. 24 CS 25; 28 CS 34. Any change proposed in criminal court procedure should be brought before rules committee of judges. Id., 366. Cited. 38 CS 389; 40 CS 238; 43 CS 211.

Cited. 3 Conn. Cir. Ct. 698, 700.

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Sec. 51-14a. Connecticut Code of Evidence. Adoption. Advisory committee. (a) The Supreme Court is authorized to adopt the Connecticut Code of Evidence. If the Supreme Court proceeds with the adoption of the Connecticut Code of Evidence, the Chief Justice shall appoint a standing advisory committee that shall study the provisions of said code and the orderly development of evidence law, and make recommendations to the Supreme Court concerning any proposed amendments to said code by the Supreme Court. The committee shall be comprised of judges of the Superior Court and attorneys who are members of the bar of this state and representative of diverse areas of the practice of law. The Chief Justice shall appoint one member of the committee to serve as the chairperson of the committee. In carrying out the duties prescribed in this subsection, the committee, in its discretion, may conduct public hearings.

(b) On or before January 1, 2015, and annually thereafter, the chairperson of the advisory committee established pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall report on the activities of the advisory committee to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to the judiciary. Upon the adoption of said code by the Supreme Court, such report shall include any proposed amendments to said code which are being considered by the advisory committee.

(c) Nothing in this section shall limit with respect to the law of evidence the authority of the Supreme Court under common law or the legislative authority of the General Assembly.

(P.A. 14-120, S. 1; P.A. 15-14, S. 16.)

History: P.A. 14-120 effective June 6, 2014; P.A. 15-14 amended Subsec. (b) by making a technical change.

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Sec. 51-15. Rules of procedure in certain civil actions. Small claims. (a) In accordance with the provisions of section 51-14, the judges of the Superior Court shall make such orders and rules as they deem necessary or advisable concerning the commencement of process and procedure in flowage petitions, parentage proceedings, replevin, summary process, habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, ne exeat, quo warranto, forcible entry and detainer, peaceable entry and forcible detainer, for paying rewards, and for the hearing and determination of small claims, including suitable forms of procedure in such cases, exclusive of fees.

(b) The judges of the Superior Court shall adopt orders and rules for the hearing and determination of small claims that shall include: (1) Provisions for the institution of small claims actions by attorneys-at-law on suitable forms to be served by a proper officer or indifferent person upon the defendant in the same manner as complaints are served in civil actions; (2) notice by mail; (3) provisions for the early hearing of actions and rules for hearings in accordance with sections 51-193t and 52-549a, and the elimination of any and all fees or costs, except a fee for small claims procedure as prescribed in section 52-259; (4) modification of any or all existing rules of pleading, practice and evidence; and (5) a stay of the entry of judgment or of the issuance of execution and an alternative procedure according to the usual rules of practice. Such orders and rules shall permit the institution of a small claims action against a nonresident defendant who owns real or personal property in this state and against an out-of-state corporation.

(c) Upon the taking effect of such orders and rules, all provisions of statute, both public and private, and the provisions of any orders or rules adopted by the judges of the Superior Court prior to July 1, 1957, inconsistent with or superseded by them, shall be deemed to be repealed, to the extent necessary to render the orders and rules effective.

(d) The procedure for the hearing and determination of small claims as the same may be prescribed, from time to time, by the judges of the Superior Court shall be used in all small claims sessions of the court. The small claims procedure shall only be applicable to (1) all actions claiming money damages not in excess of five thousand dollars, except such procedure shall not be applicable to actions of libel and slander, and (2) actions claiming loss or damages not in excess of fifteen thousand dollars sustained by reason of (A) performance of, or offer to perform, home improvement, as defined in section 20-419, by a contractor holding a certificate under chapter 400, or (B) a contract for new home construction with a new home construction contractor holding a certificate under chapter 399a. If an action is brought in the small claims session by a tenant pursuant to subsection (g) of section 47a-21 to reclaim any part of a security deposit which may be due, the judicial authority hearing the action may award to the tenant the damages authorized by subsection (d) of said section and, if authorized by the rental agreement or any provision of the general statutes, costs, notwithstanding that the amount of such damages and costs, in the aggregate, exceeds the jurisdictional monetary limit established by subdivision (1) of this subsection. If a motion is filed to transfer a small claims matter to the regular docket in the court, the moving party shall pay the fee prescribed by section 52-259. The Attorney General or an assistant attorney general, or the head of any state agency or his or her authorized representative, while acting in his or her official capacity shall not be required to pay any small claims court fee. There shall be no charge for copies of service on defendants in small claims matters.

(1949 Rev., S. 7656; 1955, S. 3117d; 1957, P.A. 651, S. 33; 1959, P.A. 28, S. 74; 1963, P.A. 242; 1969, P.A. 777, S. 1; 1971, P.A. 870, S. 4; 1972, P.A. 281, S. 25; P.A. 74-183, S. 16, 291; P.A. 75-548; P.A. 76-298, S. 1, 6; 76-368, S. 7, 9; 76-436, S. 49, 681; P.A. 77-614, S. 133, 610; P.A. 81-129, S. 1; 81-472, S. 109, 159; P.A. 82-248, S. 9; 82-472, S. 133, 183; P.A. 83-295, S. 4; 83-577, S. 2; P.A. 85-256; 85-464, S. 5; P.A. 86-199; P.A. 89-53; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-6, S. 71, 117; P.A. 93-297, S. 4, 29; P.A. 95-36; P.A. 00-94; P.A. 01-195, S. 50, 181; P.A. 02-132, S. 73; P.A. 05-42, S. 1; P.A. 13-194, S. 7; P.A. 21-15, S. 142; 21-197, S. 13.)

History: 1959 act amended second sentence by deleting trial by jury provision and amended fourth sentence by substituting small claims sessions of circuit court for municipal courts and justice courts having small claims divisions; 1963 act amended second sentence by requiring provisions authorizing institution of actions on forms served at least 10 days prior to session, return to be made at least 6 days prior to session; 1969 act imposed $3 fee for small claims procedure and exempted Attorney General or assistant attorneys general from paying fee when acting in his or their official capacity; 1971 act changed limit on money damage claims included in small claims procedure from $250 to $750, effective September 1, 1971; 1972 act raised fee for small claims procedure to $5 and added provisions re fee for transferring small claims matter to regular docket and re absence of charge for copies of service on defendants in small claims matters, effective September 1, 1972; P.A. 74-183 replaced circuit court with court of common pleas and specified that fee for small claims procedure may not be eliminated, effective December 31, 1974; P.A. 75-548 specified that director of central collections division of department of finance and control and his authorized representative are exempt from payment of fee; P.A. 76-298 included rules for hearings in accordance with Sec. 52-549a; P.A. 76-368 raised fee for small claims procedure to $6; P.A. 76-436 transferred powers formerly held by supreme court to superior court and jurisdiction of small claims matters from court of common pleas to superior court, effective July 1, 1978; P.A. 77-614 replaced director of central collections division of department of finance and control with commissioner of administrative services in provision re exemptions from payment of small claims fee; P.A. 81-129 increased the fee for small claims procedure from $8 to $10 and increased the jurisdictional limit for small claims matters from $750 to $1,000; P.A. 81-472 made the technical correction of increasing the fee for small claims procedure from $6 to $8 to conform to the increase in such fee made in Sec. 52-259 by P.A. 80-387; P.A. 82-248 changed fee for small claims procedure from $8 to $10, and changed reference to “civil cause” to “civil action”; P.A. 82-472 reiterated fee increase enacted by P.A. 82-248; P.A. 83-295 replaced the provision that the fee for transferring a small claims matter to the regular docket is the “same fee as is paid for entering a civil action” with “the fee prescribed by section 52-259”; P.A. 83-577 inserted Subsec. indicators, amended Subsec. (b) to replace the fee for small claims procedure of $10 with the fee “as prescribed in section 52-259” and reiterated amendment to Subsec. (d) made by P.A. 83-295; P.A. 85-256 amended Subsec. (b) to require the orders and rules to permit a small claims action against a nonresident defendant who owns real or personal property in this state and against an out-of-state corporation and amended Subsec. (d) to increase the jurisdictional limit for small claims matters from $1,000 to $1,500; P.A. 85-464 amended Subsec. (b) by adding reference to hearings in accordance with Sec. 51-193t; P.A. 86-199 amended Subsec. (d) by replacing the “commissioner of administrative services” with the “head of any state agency” in provision re exemption from payment of court fee; P.A. 89-53 amended Subsec. (d) to increase the jurisdictional limit for small claims matters from $1,500 to $2,000; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-6 amended Subsec. (d) to require payment of the fee prescribed in Sec. 52-259 if a motion is filed, instead of granted, to transfer a small claims matter to the regular docket; P.A. 93-297 amended Subsec. (a) to authorize the making of orders and rules for cases filed on and after January 1, 1994, which are expedited process cases and added Subsec. (e) to specify mandatory provisions of such orders and rules and require all expedited process cases to be heard by a judge of the superior court, effective January 1, 1994; P.A. 95-36 amended Subsec. (d) to increase jurisdictional limit for small claims matters from $2,000 to $2,500; P.A. 00-94 amended Subsec. (d) to increase jurisdictional monetary limit for small claims matters to $3,500 and to add exception to such limit for action brought by tenant to reclaim any part of security deposit who may be awarded damages and costs in excess of such limit; P.A. 01-195 made technical changes in Subsec. (d) for purposes of gender neutrality, effective July 11, 2001; P.A. 02-132 amended Subsec. (b) by deleting provisions re time periods for service and return, commencement of actions without writ or pleading and commencement of actions without payment of fees with respect to small claims actions and by making technical changes; P.A. 05-42 amended Subsec. (d) to increase jurisdictional monetary limit for small claims matters from $3,500 to $5,000; P.A. 13-194 amended Subsec. (a) and deleted former Subsec. (e) to eliminate provisions re expedited process cases pursuant to Sec. 52-195b(b)(2); P.A. 21-15 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing “paternity” with “parentage”, effective January 1, 2022; P.A. 21-197 amended Subsec. (d) by designating existing provision as Subdiv. (1) and adding new Subdiv. (2) re actions claiming loss or damage not in excess of $15,000 re performance of home improvement or new home construction contracts and making technical changes, effective July 1, 2022.

See chapter 922a re hearing of small claims matters.

See Sec. 52-259 re court fees for entry and transfer of small claims cases.

Cited. 115 C. 101; 194 C. 43.

Cited. 37 CA 85. Jurisdictional money limit of $5,000 for small claims actions applies to both the amount that may be claimed and the amount the court may award. 140 CA 514.

Proper pleading by which to test the legal sufficiency of allegations in an alternative writ of mandamus is by motion to quash and not by demurrer. 15 CS 209. Cited. 38 CS 389; 40 CS 361; 43 CS 211.

History of small claims procedures discussed. 3 Conn. Cir. Ct. 5, 6; Id., 698, 700.

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Sec. 51-15a. Consultation between judiciary committee and rules committee of Superior Court. The Senate and House chairmen of the joint standing committee on judiciary shall appoint six persons from among the members of the committee who, with the chairmen, shall meet, on the call of the Chief Justice, but not less frequently than annually, with the rules committee of the Superior Court to confer and consult with respect to the rules of practice, pleadings, forms and procedure for all courts of record of this state and with respect to legislation affecting the courts pending before or to be introduced in the General Assembly.

(1971, P.A. 602, S. 1; P.A. 82-248, S. 10.)

History: P.A. 82-248 substituted “the” for “said” where appearing.

Cited. 43 CS 211.

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Sec. 51-16. Transferred to Chapter 883b, Sec. 51-216a.

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Sec. 51-17. Transferred to Chapter 883b, Sec. 51-216c.

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Sec. 51-18. Transferred to Chapter 883b, Sec. 51-216b.

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Sec. 51-19. Law reports. Practice Book. Section 51-19 is repealed.

(1949 Rev., S. 169, 7689, 7690; 1949, 1951, 1953, S. 3125d; 1949, 1953, S. 3122d, 3123d; 1957, P.A. 176, S. 9; P.A. 73-541, S. 2, 8; P.A. 82-248, S. 163.)

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Sec. 51-20. Transferred to Chapter 883a, Sec. 51-215b.

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Sec. 51-21. Transferred to Chapter 883a, Sec. 51-215a.

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(1949 Rev., S. 1644, 7659, 7660, 7722; March, 1950, S. 1011d; 1951, 1953, S. 3127d; 1957, P.A. 176, S. 12; 651, S. 28; September, 1957, P.A. 11, S. 13; 1959, P.A. 28, S. 76, 77, 79; 1961, P.A. 540, S. 31; 1963, P.A. 288, S. 2; 642, S. 42; 1967, P.A. 558, S. 4; 1971, P.A. 854, S. 20; 1972, P.A. 165, S. 12; June, 1972, P.A. 1, S. 20; P.A. 73-541, S. 5, 7, 8; P.A. 73-620, S. 6, 19; P.A. 74-183, S. 18, 19, 291; P.A. 75-479, S. 24, 25; 75-567, S. 29, 76, 80; P.A. 76-436, S. 51, 681; P.A. 77-13; P.A. 78-280, S. 69, 127; P.A. 82-248, S. 163.)

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