The design of these rules being to facilitate business and advance justice, they will be interpreted liberally in any case where it shall be manifest that a strict adherence to them will work surprise or injustice.
Section 1-8.Rules To Be Liberally Interpreted
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceThis rule tells courts to interpret the Practice Book rules loosely, not rigidly, whenever strict compliance would cause surprise or injustice rather than serve the rules' purpose.
Full Text of Section 1-8
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 6.)
Plain-English Summary
Section 1-8 states the purpose behind the rules: to facilitate business and advance justice. Because of that purpose, courts should read the rules liberally whenever a strict, literal reading would work surprise or injustice on a party.
The rule doesn't list specific situations where this applies. It sets a general interpretive principle that courts can draw on when a technical or exacting reading of a rule would produce an unfair result.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to interpret rules liberally?
It means courts favor a reading that serves the rules’ purpose of facilitating business and advancing justice, rather than a strict, literal reading that would cause surprise or injustice.
When does this rule apply?
It applies in any case where strict adherence to the rules would work surprise or injustice on a party.
Does this rule override other specific Practice Book rules?
The text doesn’t say that. It states a general principle of interpretation rather than replacing any particular rule.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 1-8). 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: liberal interpretation of rulespurpose of the practice book rulesstrict adherence causing injusticehow courts read procedural rules