Connecticut Small Claims Court

How it works in Connecticut

1. Fill out the Small Claims Writ and Notice of Suit (form JD-CV-40) with exact legal names, attach copies of your papers, and sign in front of a notary.
2. Serve each defendant before you file, with the writ and Instructions to Defendant (form JD-CV-121), by certified or priority mail, a courier with confirmation, or a proper officer.
3. File the originals and a Statement of Service (form JD-CV-123) within one month of service, and pay the fee. You can mail, hand deliver or e-file.
4. The clerk sets an answer date. After that date a magistrate reviews the file to decide whether a hearing is needed.
5. Hearings are held remotely unless the court says otherwise. The magistrate has 45 days to decide.

What it costs

$95 to file. A counterclaim is also $95, and moving a case to the regular docket costs $125. You also pay for service, which you may get back if you win.

How long you have to sue

Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 52-576 (written), 52-581 (oral), 52-584 (injury to person or property from negligence), 52-577 (three years for other torts). These are general limits. The clock can start late, pause or be much shorter, as it is for claims against a government agency.

If you lose

There is no appeal from a small claims judgment; to keep the right to appeal, a party must move the case to the regular docket on or before the answer date.

Official links

• Connecticut small claims self-help
• Court forms
• Find your court