Section 11-18.—Oral Argument of Motions in Civil Matters
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceSets out when oral argument on a motion is guaranteed as of right in Connecticut civil cases — mainly dismissal, strike, summary judgment, and foreclosure-judgment motions — and the notice and scheduling steps that go with it.
(a)Oral argument is at the discretion of the judicial authority except as to motions to dismiss, motions to strike, motions for summary judgment, motions for judgment of foreclosure, and motions for judgment on the report of an attorney trial referee and/or hearing on any objections thereto. For those motions, oral argument shall be a matter of right, provided:
(1)the motion has been marked ready in accordance with the procedure that appears on the short calendar on which the motion appears, or
(2)a nonmoving party files and serves on all other parties pursuant to Sections 10-12 through 10-17, with proof of service endorsed thereon, a written notice stating the party’s intention to argue the motion or present testimony. Such a notice shall be filed on or before the third day before the date of the short calendar date and shall contain
(A)the name of the party filing the motion and
(B)the date of the short calendar on which the matter appears.
(b)As to any motion for which oral argument is of right and as to any other motion for which the judicial authority grants or, in its own discretion, requires argument or testimony, the date for argument or testimony shall be set by the judge to whom the motion is assigned.
(c)If a case has been designated for argument as of right or by the judicial authority but a date for argument or testimony has not been set within thirty days of the date the motion was marked ready, the movant may reclaim the motion.
(d)Failure to appear and present argument on the date set by the judicial authority shall constitute a waiver of the right to argue unless the judicial authority orders otherwise.
(e)Notwithstanding the above, all motions to withdraw appearance, except those under Section 3-9 (b), and any other motions designated by the chief court administrator in the civil short calendar standing order shall be set down for oral argument.
(f)For those motions for which oral argument is not a matter of right, oral argument may be requested in accordance with the procedure that is printed on the short calendar on which the motion appears.
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 211.) (Amended June 28, 1999, to take effect Jan. 1, 2000; amended June 21, 2004, to take effect Jan. 1, 2005; amended June 29, 2007, to take effect Jan. 1, 2008; amended June 20, 2011, to take effect Jan. 1, 2012.)
Plain-English Summary
Oral argument is usually left to the judge’s discretion. But for motions to dismiss, motions to strike, motions for summary judgment, motions for judgment of foreclosure, and motions for judgment on an attorney trial referee’s report (or objections to one), argument is a matter of right — as long as the motion was marked ready under the short calendar procedure, or a nonmoving party files and serves timely written notice of intent to argue or present testimony, at least three days before the short calendar date.
The judge assigned to the motion sets the date for argument or testimony. If a matter is designated for argument but no date is set within thirty days of being marked ready, the movant can reclaim it. Failing to appear on the scheduled date waives the right to argue unless the judicial authority says otherwise. Motions to withdraw an appearance (other than under Section 3-9(b)) and any others the chief court administrator designates in the civil short calendar standing order are always set down for oral argument. For motions without a right to argument, a party can still request it under the short calendar’s posted procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which motions guarantee oral argument in Connecticut civil cases?
Motions to dismiss, motions to strike, motions for summary judgment, motions for judgment of foreclosure, and motions for judgment on an attorney trial referee’s report (or objections to it) carry a right to oral argument.
How do I preserve my right to argue a motion?
Mark the motion ready under the posted short calendar procedure, or file and serve written notice of your intent to argue or present testimony at least three days before the short calendar date, naming the moving party and the short calendar date.
What happens if no argument date gets set?
If a matter designated for argument doesn’t get a date within thirty days of being marked ready, the movant may reclaim the motion.
What if I don’t show up for the scheduled argument?
Failing to appear and argue on the date set waives your right to argue, unless the judicial authority orders otherwise.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 11-18). 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:oral argument right on motion to dismiss CTrequesting oral argument short calendarmarking a motion ready for argumentreclaiming a motion after no argument date set