(a) The rules for the Superior Court govern the practice and procedure in the Superior Court in all civil and family actions whether cognizable as cases at law, in equity or otherwise, in all criminal proceedings and in all proceedings on juvenile matters. These rules also relate to the admission, qualifications, practice and removal of attorneys.
Section 1-1.Scope of Rules; Definitions
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceThis section states that the Superior Court rules govern practice in all civil, family, criminal, and juvenile matters and the admission and conduct of attorneys, and it defines terms like “judicial authority,” “write,” and “paper” as used throughout the rules.
Full Text of Section 1-1
(b) Except as otherwise provided, the sections in Chapters 1 through 7 shall apply to civil, family, criminal and juvenile matters in the Superior Court.
(c) (1) The term ‘‘judicial authority,’’ as used in the rules for the Superior Court, means the Superior Court, any judge thereof, each judge trial referee when the Superior Court has referred a case to such trial referee pursuant to General Statutes § 52-434, and for purposes of the small claims rules only, any magistrate appointed by the chief court administrator pursuant to General Statutes § 51-193 l . (2) Except as otherwise provided, the words ‘‘write,’’ ‘‘written’’ and ‘‘writing’’ as used in the rules for the Superior Court shall mean typed or printed either on paper or, when electronically submitted or issued, in a digital format that complies with Sec. Protection Proceedings [Repealed] mary Contempt Proceedings Proceeding the procedures and technical standards established by the Office of the Chief Court Administrator pursuant to Section 4-4. (3) Except as otherwise provided, the words ‘‘paper’’ and ‘‘document’’ as used in the rules for the Superior Court shall include an electronic submission that complies with the procedures and technical standards established by the Office of the Chief Court Administrator pursuant to Section 4-4 and a paper or document converted to a digital format by the Judicial Branch.
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 1.) (Amended June 26, 2000, to take effect Jan. 1, 2001; amended June 20, 2011, to take effect Jan. 1, 2012.)
Plain-English Summary
This section sets the reach of the Superior Court’s rules of practice. It says the rules cover procedure in every civil and family action, every criminal proceeding, and every juvenile matter heard in the Superior Court, and that they also govern how attorneys are admitted, what qualifies them to practice, and how they can be removed. Chapters 1 through 7 apply across civil, family, criminal, and juvenile matters unless a rule says otherwise.
The section also defines three terms used throughout the rules. “Judicial authority” means the Superior Court itself, any Superior Court judge, a judge trial referee handling a case referred under General Statutes § 52-434, and, for small claims matters only, a magistrate appointed by the chief court administrator under General Statutes § 51-193l. “Write,” “written,” and “writing” mean typed or printed material, whether on paper or submitted electronically in a digital format that meets standards set by the Office of the Chief Court Administrator. “Paper” and “document” likewise include electronic submissions that meet those standards, as well as paper documents the Judicial Branch has converted to digital form.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of cases do the Superior Court rules apply to?
The rules govern practice and procedure in all civil and family actions, all criminal proceedings, and all juvenile matters in the Superior Court, whether the case is legal, equitable, or otherwise.
Who counts as a “judicial authority” under the rules?
It means the Superior Court, any Superior Court judge, a judge trial referee assigned a case under General Statutes § 52-434, and, in small claims cases only, a magistrate appointed under General Statutes § 51-193l.
Does an electronic filing count as “written” or as a “document”?
Yes. The rules treat electronically submitted material as writing, and treat electronic submissions and digitized paper documents as papers or documents, as long as they meet the technical standards set by the Office of the Chief Court Administrator.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 1-1). Prescribed by the Judges of the Superior Court of Connecticut (Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 51-14). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 9, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: scope of Connecticut Superior Court rulesdefinition of judicial authority CTwhat counts as written document in CT courtPractice Book section 1-1which cases do the practice book rules cover