Section 10-16.—Several Parties Represented by One Attorney

Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026

In one sentenceWhen several parties in a Connecticut case have all appeared through the same attorney or law firm, that group is treated as a single party for purposes of this section.

Full Text of Section 10-16

Text size

When several parties have entered their appearance by one attorney or one firm of attorneys, such several parties shall be treated as a single party under this section.

Amendment History

(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 125.)

Plain-English Summary

This rule addresses cases where more than one party has hired the same attorney or law firm. When that happens, Section 10-16 treats those parties as one unit rather than as separate individuals for purposes of this section — a practical rule that reflects the reality that a single attorney or firm handling several clients in the same case does not need to be treated as several distinct parties.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean for several parties to be treated as a single party under this section?

It means that when multiple parties have entered their appearance through the same attorney or the same firm of attorneys, Section 10-16 groups them together and treats them as one party rather than as separate parties.

Does this rule apply to every situation in a Connecticut case, or just service of pleadings?

The text of Section 10-16 limits the treatment of several parties as a single party to matters governed by this section, and it sits within the cluster of Chapter 10 rules dealing with service of pleadings.

Why would parties with the same attorney be grouped together?

The rule does not state a reason, but grouping parties represented by one attorney or firm mirrors how service and pleading obligations are handled elsewhere in Chapter 10, where service on an attorney stands in for service on the party.

Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 10-16). 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: multiple parties same attorney CTone firm represents several partiessingle party treatment same counselConnecticut Practice Book 10-16parties with joint representation pleading rule