Section 16-21.—Requests To Charge on Specific Claims

Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026

In one sentenceA party who wants the jury instructed on doctrines like supervening negligence, superseding or intervening cause, assumption of risk, or a specific statute must file a written request to charge covering that legal principle.

Full Text of Section 16-21

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Any party intending to claim the benefit of the doctrines of supervening negligence, superseding cause, intervening cause, assumption of risk, or the provisions of any specific statute shall file a written request to charge on the legal principle involved.

End

Amendment History

(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 316.)

Plain-English Summary

Some legal doctrines will not make it into the jury charge unless a party asks for them in writing first. If a party intends to rely on supervening negligence, superseding cause, intervening cause, assumption of risk, or any specific statute, that party must file a written request to charge setting out the legal principle involved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a written request to charge on assumption of risk?

Yes. A party intending to claim the benefit of assumption of risk must file a written request to charge on that legal principle.

What doctrines require a written request to charge under Section 16-21?

Supervening negligence, superseding cause, intervening cause, assumption of risk, and the provisions of any specific statute a party intends to rely on.

Why does this rule single out these particular doctrines?

The text does not say why, only that a party intending to claim the benefit of these doctrines or a specific statute must put the request in writing.

Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 16-21). 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: supervening negligence jury instructionsuperseding cause request to chargeassumption of risk jury charge CTintervening cause instructionwritten request to charge specific statute