Denials must fairly meet the substance of the allegations denied. Thus, when the payment of a certain sum is alleged, and in fact a lesser sum was paid, the defendant cannot simply deny the payment generally, but must set forth how much was paid to the defendant; and where any matter of fact is alleged with divers circumstances, some of which are untruly stated, it shall not be sufficient to deny it as alleged, but so much as is true and material should be stated or admitted, and the rest only denied.
Section 10-47.—Evasive Denials
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceA denial must directly address the substance of what is alleged; a defendant cannot deny an allegation outright when only part of it is untrue, and instead must state what is true and admit it, denying only the rest.
Full Text of Section 10-47
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 161.)
Plain-English Summary
This section requires denials to meet the substance of the allegations they respond to. The text gives an example: if the complaint alleges payment of a certain sum, but a lesser sum was paid, the defendant cannot deny the payment generally. Instead, the defendant must set forth how much was paid.
The same principle applies more broadly. Where a matter of fact is alleged along with various circumstances, and only some of those circumstances are untrue, a defendant cannot deny the allegation as stated. The defendant must state or admit what is true and material, and deny only what remains.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a defendant deny an allegation that is only partly false?
No. The defendant must state or admit whatever part of the allegation is true and material, and deny only the remaining, untrue portion.
What is the example given for an evasive denial?
Where the complaint alleges payment of a certain sum but a lesser sum was paid, the defendant cannot deny payment generally and instead must set forth how much was paid.
What does it mean for a denial to meet the allegation?
It means the denial must engage with the substance of what was alleged rather than issuing a blanket denial that avoids the true facts.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 10-47). 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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