If the pretrial does not result in the disposition of the case by settlement, judgment by stipulation, or withdrawal, then the judicial authority may
Section 14-12.—When Case Not Disposed of at Pretrial
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceIf a pretrial conference doesn’t end the case through settlement, stipulated judgment, or withdrawal, this rule lets the judicial authority continue the case for alternative dispute resolution, enter orders to prepare it for trial, or assign it to a date or a specific judge for trial.
Full Text of Section 14-12
(1) continue the matter for a reasonable period if the parties agree to participate in any form of alternative dispute resolution, (2) enter appropriate orders to assure that the case is readied for trial, (3) order the case assigned for trial on a date certain or a week certain in the future or, (4) assign the case to a specific judge for trial on a date certain. The date designated for trial shall, if possible, be agreeable to the parties.
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 264.)
Plain-English Summary
Section 14-12 covers what happens when a pretrial conference doesn’t resolve a case. If the parties don’t settle, agree to a stipulated judgment, or withdraw the case, the judicial authority has four options. It may continue the matter for a reasonable period if the parties agree to try some form of alternative dispute resolution. It may enter orders to get the case ready for trial. It may order the case assigned for trial on a specific date or during a specific week in the future. Or it may assign the case to a particular judge for trial on a set date.
Whichever path the court takes, the rule directs that the trial date chosen should, where possible, be one the parties agree to.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if a case doesn’t settle at pretrial in Connecticut?
The judicial authority may continue the case for alternative dispute resolution, enter orders readying it for trial, assign it a trial date, or assign it to a specific judge for trial.
Can a judge send a case to mediation after an unsuccessful pretrial?
Yes, if the parties agree to participate in alternative dispute resolution, the court may continue the case for a reasonable period to allow that.
Who picks the trial date after pretrial?
The judicial authority sets it, but the rule directs that the date be one agreeable to the parties whenever possible.
Can a case be assigned to a specific judge for trial after pretrial?
Yes. The judicial authority may assign the case to a specific judge for trial on a set date.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 14-12). 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: case not settled at pretrial CTassigning a trial date after pretrialalternative dispute resolution after pretrialorders when pretrial failspretrial conference outcomes