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Small Claims

Minor Claims
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E-File Small-scale Claims Matters
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Frequently Asked Questions
How Pocket-size Claims Court Works (JDP-CV-45)
Limited Telescopic Representation
Where to File Small Claims and Pocket-sized Claims Housing Matters- Small Claims Court Facility by Boondocks (pre-x/sixteen/17)
Where to File Small Claims and Small Claims Housing Matters (effective 10/xvi/17)

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General Questions

What is Small Claims Court?
What cases belong in Small Claims Court?
What cases do not belong in Pocket-sized Claims Court?
How long do I have to start a small claims case? (Chosen the Statute of Limitations)
Can an out-of-state individual or business file a claim in Connecticut?
How practice I start a small claims case?
How much does information technology cost to start a pocket-size claims example?
Where practice I go to file a pocket-sized claims case?

Suing Different Types of Defendants

How practice I discover out if the accused is a corporation, limited liability company (LLC), a partnership or a DBA (doing concern every bit)?
Do I have to utilize the accused's full proper name?
What if the defendant resides out of the state of Connecticut?
What do I do if I want to sue an out-of-land business entity?

Filing Fees, Courtroom Papers and Court Dates

Fill up out Small Claims Writ and Detect of Suit (form JD-CV-40) - Slidecast
Fill up out Statement of Service (Delivery) Pocket-sized Claims (form JD-CV-123) - Slidecast
How do I serve (evangelize) a pocket-size claims case on the defendant(south)?
What happens afterward the answer date has passed?
When is a military affidavit virtually the defendant required to get a judgment?
Where can I become more than information?

Accused's Options

What do I do if I am sued in a small claims case and want to defend myself?
When should I file a counterclaim?

Your Day in Courtroom

Can I take a jury trial?
Are small claims cases decided by judges?
What is an ODR settlement briefing?

Judgment and Post Judgment Activity

How do I collect money if I win my case?
Can I appeal the decision?
Could a small claims judgment against me (the defendant/ judgment debtor) impact my credit rating or appear on my credit report?
When may a judgment lien exist placed on existent property (real estate)?
Must I tell the court when the judgment owed to me is paid in full?

Small Claims Instance Lookup

How tin I discover out information about a small claims instance?
What information can I wait up on a pocket-size claims thing?

Acme

General Questions

1. What is Minor Claims Courtroom?

Small Claims Courtroom is a part of Connecticut'south court organisation where a person tin can sue for money amercement only up to $5,000.00. That amount is ready past state law and may alter from time to time. You may likewise be able to get interest and costs. Yous may be able to go more than than $v,000.00 if you are suing for the render of security eolith. When a tenant (renter) of a residential real manor belongings sues a landlord to get back a wrongfully withheld security eolith, the tenant may be awarded twice the amount of the security eolith even if the total amount of damages and costs, combined, is greater than $5,000.00. See sections 51-15 (d) and 47a-21 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
Yous practice not need an attorney.
Small claims cases are mostly heard and decided by Magistrates, who are lawyers appointed past the Master Courtroom Administrator. For more information, see section 51-193l of the Connecticut Full general Statutes. Small-scale Claims cases may as well be heard by judges or judge trial referees. You lot may run into magistrates or judges referred to as "judicial authorities."
Simple rules of evidence apply, instead of circuitous rules.
There is no transcript of the trial; information technology is not recorded.
There is no correct to entreatment the conclusion.

2. What cases belong in Small Claims Courtroom?

back rent;
return of security eolith;
broken or damaged property;
unpaid claims;
motor vehicle accidents;
breach of a written or exact contract;
md/hospital bills for medical treatment;
other claims asking for $five,000.00 or less.

three. What cases do not belong in Small-scale Claims Court?

libel or slander;
impairment to your reputation;
name calling;
any claims asking for more than than $five,000.00 (see #ane, above, for explanation of cases in which the plaintiff may be awarded more than $v,000.00).

4. How long do I have to get-go a small claims instance? (Called the Statute of Limitations)

five. Can an out-of-state individual or business file a claim in Connecticut?

Yes. However, the individual or business may be required to attend court hearings if the defendant contests any of the proceedings or if the courtroom determines that the concern or individual'south presence is necessary.

6. How practise I start a small claims instance?

Employ the courtroom form Small-scale Claims Writ and Discover of Suit (class JD-CV-40). Type or neatly print your information on the forms. Read the "Instructions to Plaintiff" section on course JD-CV-40 to help you complete the Modest Claims Writ and Discover of Suit. For more information, view the How-To Program for filling out Pocket-sized Claims Writ and Notice of Suit (JD-CV-40).
Forms are bachelor online or in any court location that handles small claims cases. For data on the court location that handles small claims matters for your town and the accost and telephone number of the court run across Where to File Pocket-sized Claims Matters.
The person starting the case is called the plaintiff; the person being sued is chosen the defendant. Later the case is decided, the person who is awarded money is called the "judgment creditor" and the person who is ordered to pay the coin is called the "judgment debtor."
If there are more than plaintiffs or defendants than will fit on the Small Claims Writ and Observe of Suit (form JD-CV-40), you must fill out and attach the Continuation of Parties (form JD-CV-67) to the Pocket-size Claims Writ and Notice of Conform.
Your signature must exist notarized. Your signature may be notarized past the Courtroom Clerk, a Notary Public, or a Commissioner of the Superior Court (whatever Connecticut attorney). In order to accept your signature notarized, you must sign the Modest Claims Writ and Notice of Suit (form JD-CV-40) in front of the person who is notarizing it. You must also clearly print your proper name clearly and title, if y'all have a championship, in the box provided. Your oath must be taken at the time you sign the grade and the person who took your oath (the Clerk, a Notary, or a Commissioner of the Superior Courtroom) must also sign it.

7. How much does it cost to offset a small claims instance?

There is a $95.00 entry (filing) fee.
You lot must pay the Court Clerk with greenbacks, or with a check or money order made out to "Clerk of the Superior Court." If you pay in person, you may also pay by MasterCard or Visa.
If you hand-deliver the merits to the courtroom, and you plan to pay with a personal check, bring a valid state issued photo I.D., your photo driver's license; U.S. passport; or Military I.D.
If you win your case, the entry fee and your costs of service volition be added to the judgment against the accused.

8. Where do I get to file a small claims case?

Small-scale Claims cases must be filed in a venue (court) designated by the Chief Court Administrator.
If you lot are an Individual Plaintiff, yous may file in the court treatment small claims matters for the city or boondocks: (a) where yous alive, (b) where the defendant lives or where the defendant's business is located, or (c) where the transaction or injury occurred.
If you lot are a Business Entity, including a domestic or United states of america corporation or a express liability company, you lot may file in the court handling small claims matters for the city or town: (a) where the defendant lives, (b) where the defendant is doing business, or (c) where the transaction or injury occurred.
For information on the court location that handles modest claims matters for your town and the address and telephone number of the court see Where to File Small Claims Matters.
For landlord-tenant matters, y'all must file in the housing session where the property is located, if i exists. If at that place is no housing session for the location where the property is located, yous must file in the judicial commune where the property is located. To determine where you should file your cases, see Housing Matters - Where to File.
If y'all wish to file your case or other documents electronically, you must sign-upwardly for Judicial Co-operative Eastward-Services. Click here for more information on Due east-Services.

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Suing Different Types of Defendants

ix. How do I find out if the defendant is a corporation, express liability company (LLC), a partnership or a DBA (doing business equally)?

Telephone call the Secretary of the State at 860-509-6002 to observe out if it is a corporation or an LLC and to get its address.
If the defendant is not a corporation or LLC, and is a DBA (doing business equally) or uses a merchandise name, contact the boondocks clerk's office where the company is located to get the name of the business possessor.

10. Do I take to use the accused's full name?

Yes. Employ the exact, consummate proper noun of the person or business.
If you exit out any part of the proper noun, you may not be able to collect your money if you win the instance.
Do non abridge any function of the name.

11. What if the defendant resides out of the country of Connecticut?

You may file against the out-of-state resident only if he or she owns property in Connecticut.
A statement indicating that the out-of-country individual owns property in Connecticut must be included in the merits.

12. What do I do if I want to sue an out-of-state business entity?

Showtime you must find out if the business entity has an agent for service in Connecticut by contacting the Secretarial assistant of the Country at 860-509-6002.
You must utilize a proper officer (for example a state marshal) to serve (evangelize) the Small-scale Claims Writ and Notice of Suit (form JD-CV-40) on an out-of-state business entity. See List of state marshals.

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Filing Fees, Court Papers and Courtroom Dates

xiii. Make full out Small Claims Writ and Notice of Accommodate (formJD-CV-xl) - Slidecast

14. Make full out Argument of Service (Delivery) Small Claims (form JD-CV-123) - Slidecast

15. How do I serve (deliver) a small claims case on the accused(s)?

Unless you are hiring a proper officer (for example a state marshal) to serve (deliver) the Small Claims Writ and Notice of Suit (Writ) (form JD-CV-40) for you, you must evangelize a copy of the completed original Writ to each defendant with the Instructions to Accused (form JD-CV-121) earlier filing those documents with the court. See a clarification of adequate commitment methods in the second part of this reply. Yous must deliver to each defendant a copy of all the documents y'all want to file with the courtroom. In other words, all attachments to the original Writ must be delivered. Later all of those documents accept been delivered, consummate a Argument of Service (Delivery) Small Claims (Statement of Service) (course JD-CV-123), which explains to the court how y'all had the Writ delivered to each defendant that you served. So, file the original Writ and Statement of Service for each defendant, along with copies of any exhibits or attachments, and the correct entry (filing) fee. Keep a copy of all documents for your records, forth with the originals of whatever exhibits or attachments. For more information on the Argument of Service (form JD-CV-123), see the post-obit: How-To Programme to fill out Argument of Service (Commitment) Small-scale Claims (grade JD-123).
The plaintiff, or his or her representative, must serve (deliver) the Small Claims Writ and Notice of Adjust separately on each defendant using 1 of the 4 methods listed below, except that for each defendant who is an out-of-land entity (a business organized under the laws of a country other than Connecticut), the plaintiff must pay a proper officer (for example, a state marshal) to serve the accused as described in number 4. There are special requirements for service on (delivery to) out-of-land insurance companies. The requirements are in Chapter 697, Championship 38a of the Connecticut General Statutes and you may find data on the Connecticut Insurance Department website.
1. By priority mail with delivery confirmation: fill out a Modest Claims Writ and Find of Adapt (Writ) (course JD-CV-twoscore) and attach copies of any related documents you want to file with the Writ; go along the original Writ and documents and mail a copy of the Writ and documents, and the Instructions to Defendant (form JD-CV-121) to each defendant. When you have the delivery confirmation(s), complete a Statement of Service (Delivery) Minor Claim (Argument of Service) (class JD-CV-123) for each defendant y'all have served. And then, file the original Writ, Statement of Service and delivery confirmation for each defendant, along with copies of whatsoever exhibits or attachments, and the correct entry (filing) fee.
2. Past certified mail, return receipt requested: fill out a Modest Claims Writ and Find of Suit (Writ) (form JD-CV-twoscore) and attach copies of any related documents you desire to file with the Writ; keep the original Writ and documents and mail service a copy of the Writ and documents, and the Instructions to Defendant (grade JD-CV-121) to each accused. When you receive the signed return receipt(s), complete a Argument of Service (Delivery) Pocket-size Claims (Statement of Service) (grade JD-CV-123) for each defendant you have served. So, file the original Writ, Statement of Service and signed render receipt(southward) (light-green card) for each defendant with the court, along with copies of whatsoever exhibits or attachments, and the correct entry (filing) fee.
3. Past a nationally recognized courier service providing delivery confirmation: fill out a Pocket-sized Claims Writ and Notice of Suit (Writ) (grade JD-CV-40) and attach copies of any related documents you want to file with the Writ; keep the original Writ and documents and have a re-create of the Writ and documents, and the Instructions to Defendant (form JD-CV-121) delivered to each defendant. When y'all receive the tracking information showing delivery, complete a Argument of Service (Delivery) Pocket-size Claims (Statement of Service) (form JD-CV-123) for each accused you take served. Then, file the original Writ, Statement of Service and the delivery confirmation for each accused with the court, forth with copies of whatever exhibits or attachments, and the correct entry (filing) fee.
4. By a proper officer, for example, a marshal: fill out a Pocket-size Claims Writ and Notice of Suit (Writ) (form JD-CV-xl) and attach copies of any related documents you want to file with the Writ; go on a copy of the Writ and the originals of other documents; give the original Writ with attached documents, and the Instructions to Defendant (form JD-CV-121) to the officer to serve (deliver); afterward the officer serves (delivers) the Pocket-sized Claims Writ and Detect of Suit, he or she volition file the original Writ and documents with the courtroom along with his or her return of service (a written statement describing how the writ was served).
The Pocket-sized Claims Writ and Observe of Suit (class JD-CV-xl) must be returned to the court not later than ane month after the date of service.
When the clerk receives the Small Claims Writ and Observe of Accommodate (course JD-CV-twoscore) the clerk volition set an answer date (date by which the defendant(due south) must reply to the complaint) and volition ship a notice to all plaintiffs or their representatives of the docket (case) number and answer date. The clerk will as well send an respond form that includes the docket number and answer engagement to each accused at the address provided by the plaintiff.

sixteen. What happens later on the answer appointment has passed?

Neither party needs to practise anything at this point. The file will be reviewed by a magistrate who will make up one's mind if a decision can be made without a trial or if the case needs to be scheduled for a trial.

17. When is a military affidavit about the defendant required to become a judgment?

If the defendant in your case is a person, you must say, under oath, whether the accused is or is not in the armed forces or naval service and how you know that. Y'all will not exist able to get a decision confronting a defendant who has not filed an answer unless yous file an affidavit (a paper signed under oath) with the courtroom that states facts showing that the defendant is not in the military machine or naval service.
You lot can find out if defendant is in the war machine or naval service from the U.S. Section of Defense - Defense Manpower Data Center by using the following website if you take the first and last name of the person and the person's engagement of birth or the person'due south social security number. The website is: https://scra.dmdc.osd.mil/. This web address must be typed exactly, including the "s" after the http. Y'all may get a alert stating that there is a problem with this website's security document. This website is hosted by the U.S. Section of Defense.
If you lot practise not know the defendant's engagement of birth or social security number, you will have to find out the defendant's military machine status by request a person who knows the accused well to make full out an affidavit (written argument under oath), or by giving the place of the defendant's full time employment in an affidavit of your ain. For the affidavit, you can utilise court grade Affidavit Concerning Military machine Service (class JD-FM-178).

eighteen. Where can I get more than data?

Review the PDF booklet, How Pocket-size Claims Works (form JDP-CV-45), which is too bachelor in printed form in every clerk'south office that handles small claims cases and in the Court Service Centers. From time to time information in this booklet may change, such equally fees, court locations and phone numbers. Please bank check this website or contact the clerk'due south office to be sure that yous have the about current data well-nigh fees, courtroom locations and phone numbers.
Ask the courtroom clerk for information. The clerk tin can give you data. The clerk cannot give you legal communication.
Talk to an attorney. Check an net search engine, the Yellow Pages or phone call your local Lawyer Referral Service (run by the local Bar Clan). If y'all are a low income private, The Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut, Inc. may be able to assist you. Their toll complimentary number is 800-453-3320.
Legal Clinics may also provide an opportunity to discuss your instance with an attorney. Information may exist found at the Judicial Co-operative's Legal Clinics and Help page.
Additional information on finding legal help is available on the Discover Legal Aid folio.

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Defendant's Options

nineteen. What do I do if I am sued in a small claims case and want to defend myself?

File an answer on or earlier the answer date. The reply date will appear on the Respond grade sent to you by the courtroom. Fill out the Answer form and return it by postal service, fax or hand delivery to the clerk. Send a re-create to each attorney or other representative of the plaintiff, or if the plaintiff is representing himself or herself, to the plaintiff and fill up out the certification that you have done so.
If yous disagree with the merits or the amount of coin, check the box that says you disagree and explicate briefly in writing why you lot believe you do non owe the money.
Attach copies of whatever documents that support your merits. For example, yous can attach receipts, letters, contracts or leases. Be sure that the documents y'all are filing exercise not contain personal identifying information, such as a social security number, credit card business relationship number, bank account number or date of birth. Yous should to omit, remove (redact), or black-out personal identifying information before filing any document unless the information is required by constabulary or court club.
Y'all may also file a motion to transfer the case to the regular courtroom docket, by completing a Small-scale Claims - Motion to Transfer to the Regular Docket (grade JD-CV-158). The motion must exist filed according to the Connecticut Practice Book in social club to exist granted. Encounter section 24-21 of the Connecticut Practise Book. The fee is $125.00.
If yous wish to file your reply or other documents electronically, you lot must sign-upwardly for Judicial Branch East-Services. For more data on east-filing and Due east-Services, see Due east-File in Modest Claims Matters.

20. When should I file a counterclaim?

If yous want to file a counterclaim, you lot must practise so on or before the answer engagement or, if a judgment was entered against you, when a motion to open judgment is granted.
If you lot think the plaintiff owes you lot coin, you may say then in the counterclaim.
At that place is a $95.00 filing fee for a counterclaim.
You lot must pay the courtroom clerk with cash, or with a bank check or coin guild made out to "Clerk of the Superior Court." If you pay in person, you may also pay by MasterCard or Visa.
If you hand-deliver the counterclaim to the court, and y'all plan to pay with a personal bank check, bring a valid land issued photograph I.D., your photo driver's license; U.S. passport; or Military I.D.
If you wish to file your counterclaim or other documents electronically, you must sign-up for Judicial Branch E-Services. Click here for more data on Due east-Services.

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Your Mean solar day in Court

21. Can I have a jury trial?

There are no jury trials in small claims.
Y'all may, however, request a jury trial if y'all file a movement to transfer the case to the regular docket. See #xix above.

22. Are small claims cases decided by judges?

23. What is an ODR settlement conference?

Superlative

Judgment and Mail Judgment Activity

24. How practise I collect money if I win my case?

The court does non collect the money for you, just yous can request that the clerk consequence an execution. An execution authorizes you to hire a land marshal to attach a judgment debtor's (defendant's) wages, nonexempt personal property or financial institution (bank) account. Run into Listing of state marshals.
Fill out an application for wage, belongings or financial institution execution. Include exemption forms for judgment debtors (defendants) who are natural persons, and file with the courtroom.
The following fillable forms are available on this website.
1. Wage Execution Proceedings - Awarding, Lodge, Execution (form JD-CV-3)
2. Exemption and Modification Claim Form, Wage Execution (grade JD-CV-3a)
3. Property Execution Proceedings - Awarding, Order, Execution (form JD-CV-5)
4. Exemption Claim Form, Property Execution (course JD-CV-5b)
5. Financial Establishment Execution Proceedings - Judgment Debtor Who is a Natural Person, Application and Execution (class JD-CV-24)
6. Exemption Claim Grade, Financial Establishment Execution (course JD-CV-24a)
7. Financial Institution Execution Proceedings Judgment Debtor Who is NOT a Natural Person, Application and Execution (form JD-CV-24N)
An execution authorizes a state marshal to attach the judgment debtor's (defendant's) wages, nonexempt personal property or fiscal institution account. (This does not include existent estate.)
There is a $105.00 fee for each application.
You tin can enforce a judgment up to 10 years from the appointment of judgment.
Y'all may also desire to review Forms you may need to collect on a Civil Judgment on this website.

25. Can I entreatment the decision?

You cannot appeal a decision in a modest claims court case.

26. Could a pocket-sized claims judgment against me (the judgment debtor) affect my credit rating or appear on my credit written report?

27. When may a judgment lien be placed on real holding (real estate)?

28. Must I tell the court when the judgment owed to me is paid in full?

Aye. This is chosen a satisfaction of judgment and is a written observe that must be filed with the court when full payment has been fabricated. You must complete a Satisfaction of Judgment (form JD-CV-164) and file it with the courtroom within ninety days later on total payment has been fabricated. See section 24-thirty of the Connecticut Practice Book.

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Small Claims Case Lookup

29. How tin can I notice out information about a small claims example?

Minor Claims case information may be searched past: party name, docket number, and attorney/firm juris number, among other search options.
Case information for minor claims matters filed with Centralized Pocket-size Claims prior to September 1, 2022 that have not been transferred to the small claims docket in a judicial district or housing session and assigned a new docket number are available online through the Centralized Small Claims Case Expect-upwards.

Case information for pocket-sized claims matters filed on and later on September ane, 2022, and whatsoever cases filed prior to that appointment that have been transferred to the minor claims docket in a judicial district or housing session are available through the Superior Courtroom Small Claims Case Expect-upwardly.
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thirty. What data can I look up on a small claims thing?

You tin can view information on a small claims matter including political party names, appearance data, the amount of the claim filed, whatever judgment entered, a listing of activity and documents filed, whatever scheduled hearing date, and disposition information. Documents in many small claims cases can also be viewed on the public website. For more information, go to the Modest Claims Session page.
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