(a) It is the responsibility of counsel or a selfrepresented party filing the same to serve on each other party who has appeared one copy of every pleading subsequent to the original complaint, every written motion other than one in which an order is sought ex parte and every paper relating to discovery, request, demand, claim, notice or similar paper, except a request for mediation under General Statutes § 49-31 l . When a party is represented by an attorney, the service shall be made upon the attorney unless service upon the party is ordered by the judicial authority.
Section 10-12.Service of the Pleading and Other Papers; Responsibility of Counsel or Self-Represented Party: Documents and Persons To Be Served
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceThis section requires counsel or self-represented parties to serve every appeared party with a copy of pleadings, motions, discovery papers, and related documents filed after the original complaint, generally through the attorney of record.
Full Text of Section 10-12
(b) It shall be the responsibility of counsel or a self-represented party at the time of filing a motion for default for failure to appear to serve the party sought to be defaulted with a copy of the motion. Upon good cause shown, the judicial authority may dispense with this requirement when judgment is rendered.
(c) Any pleading asserting new or additional claims for relief against parties who have not appeared or who have been defaulted shall be served on such parties.
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 121.) (Amended June 22, 2009, to take effect Jan. 1, 2010.)
Plain-English Summary
Section 10-12 places the burden of service on the filer. Whoever files a pleading after the original complaint, a written motion (other than an ex parte one), or a paper relating to discovery, request, demand, claim, or notice must serve one copy on each other party who has appeared, with an exception for a request for mediation under General Statutes § 49-31l. When a party is represented by an attorney, service goes to the attorney unless the judicial authority orders service on the party directly.
Two more requirements round out the section. When filing a motion for default for failure to appear, counsel or a self-represented party must serve the party sought to be defaulted with a copy of the motion, though the judicial authority may excuse this on good cause shown when judgment is rendered. And any pleading asserting new or additional claims for relief against parties who have not appeared, or who have been defaulted, must be served on those parties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for serving pleadings filed after the complaint?
The attorney or self-represented party filing the pleading, motion, or paper is responsible for serving a copy on each other party who has appeared.
Do I serve the party or their attorney?
When a party is represented by an attorney, service is made on the attorney unless the judicial authority orders that service be made on the party.
Is a request for mediation under General Statutes Section 49-31l subject to this service requirement?
No, Section 10-12 expressly excepts a request for mediation under that statute from the service requirement.
Must a defaulted party be served with new claims for relief?
Yes, any pleading asserting new or additional claims for relief against a party who has not appeared or who has been defaulted must be served on that party.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 10-12). 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: service of pleadings on opposing counsel CTwho must be served with motions Connecticutservice on defaulted partymotion for default service requirementserving discovery papers Connecticut