(a) A motion to dismiss shall be used to assert: (1) lack of jurisdiction over the subject matter; (2) lack of jurisdiction over the person; (3) insufficiency of process; and (4) insufficiency of service of process.
Section 10-30.Motion To Dismiss; Grounds
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceA motion to dismiss in Connecticut is the vehicle for challenging subject matter jurisdiction, personal jurisdiction, insufficient process, or insufficient service of process, and a defendant contesting jurisdiction must file it within thirty days of filing an appearance, along with a supporting memorandum of law.
Full Text of Section 10-30
(b) Any defendant, wishing to contest the court’s jurisdiction, shall do so by filing a motion to dismiss within thirty days of the filing of an appearance.
(c) This motion shall always be filed with a supporting memorandum of law and, where appropriate, with supporting affidavits as to facts not apparent on the record.
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 142.) (Amended June 30, 2003, to take effect Jan. 1, 2004; amended June 21, 2004, to take effect Jan. 1, 2005; amended June 14, 2013, to take effect Jan. 1, 2014; amended June 13, 2014, to take effect Jan. 1, 2015.)
Plain-English Summary
Subsection (a) lists the four grounds a motion to dismiss may raise: lack of jurisdiction over the subject matter, lack of jurisdiction over the person, insufficiency of process, and insufficiency of service of process. These are the grounds this particular motion is built to assert.
Subsection (b) sets the deadline: any defendant wishing to contest the court’s jurisdiction must file a motion to dismiss within thirty days of filing an appearance. Subsection (c) sets the filing requirements — the motion must always be filed with a supporting memorandum of law, and, where appropriate, with supporting affidavits addressing facts not apparent on the record.
Frequently Asked Questions
What grounds can a motion to dismiss raise in Connecticut?
Four grounds: lack of jurisdiction over the subject matter, lack of jurisdiction over the person, insufficiency of process, and insufficiency of service of process.
How long does a defendant have to file a motion to dismiss?
A defendant wishing to contest the court’s jurisdiction must file the motion within thirty days of filing an appearance.
Does a motion to dismiss need supporting documents?
Yes. It must always be filed with a supporting memorandum of law, and, where appropriate, with supporting affidavits as to facts not apparent on the record.
Can a motion to dismiss challenge the legal sufficiency of a claim?
No. This section limits the motion to jurisdictional and process-related grounds — challenges to legal sufficiency are handled elsewhere.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 10-30). 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
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