(a) Any judge of the Superior Court and any judge trial referee to whom a short calendar matter has been submitted for decision, with or without oral argument, shall issue a decision on such matter not later than 120 days from the date of such submission, unless such time limit is waived by the parties. In the event that the judge or referee conducts a hearing on the matter and/or the parties file briefs concerning it, the date of submission for purposes of this section shall be the date the matter is heard or the date the last brief ordered by the court is filed, whichever occurs later. If a decision is not rendered within this period the matter may be claimed in accordance with subsection
Section 11-19.—Time Limit for Deciding Short Calendar Matters
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceRequires a judge or judge trial referee to decide a submitted short calendar matter within 120 days, and lets a party ask for reassignment to another judge if that deadline passes without a decision.
Full Text of Section 11-19
(b) for assignment to another judge or referee. (b) A party seeking to invoke the provisions of this section shall not later than fourteen days after the expiration of the 120 day period file with the clerk a motion for reassignment of the undecided short calendar matter which shall set forth the date of submission of the short calendar matter, the name of the judge or referee to whom it was submitted, that a timely decision on the matter has not been rendered, and whether or not oral argument is requested or testimony is required. The failure of a party to file a timely motion for reassignment shall be deemed a waiver by that party of the 120 day time.
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 211A.)
Plain-English Summary
Once a short calendar matter is submitted for decision — with or without oral argument — the judge or judge trial referee has 120 days to decide it, unless the parties waive the deadline. If there’s a hearing or the parties file briefs, the clock starts from whichever comes later: the hearing date or the filing of the last brief the court ordered.
If 120 days pass with no decision, a party has fourteen days after that deadline to file a motion for reassignment with the clerk. The motion must state the submission date, the judge or referee’s name, that a timely decision hasn’t been rendered, and whether oral argument or testimony is requested. Missing that fourteen-day window waives the 120-day time limit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a judge have to decide a short calendar motion?
120 days from the date the matter was submitted for decision, unless the parties waive that time limit.
When does the 120-day clock start?
From the date of submission, or, if there’s a hearing or ordered briefing, from the date of the hearing or the filing of the last ordered brief, whichever is later.
What can I do if 120 days pass with no ruling?
File a motion for reassignment with the clerk within fourteen days after the 120-day period expires, stating the submission date, the judge or referee’s name, and whether argument or testimony is requested.
What happens if I miss the fourteen-day window to seek reassignment?
You waive the 120-day time limit for that matter.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 11-19). 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: how long for judge to decide a motion CT120 day rule short calendarmotion for reassignment undecided motionreassign case to another judge after delay