Written requests to charge the jury and written requests for jury interrogatories must be filed with the clerk before the beginning of arguments or at such an earlier time as the judicial authority directs, and the clerk shall file them and forthwith hand one copy to the judicial authority and one to opposing counsel. A party’s request to charge may be amended in writing as a matter of right at any time prior to the beginning of the charge conference.
Section 16-22.—Filing Requests
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceWritten requests to charge the jury and written requests for jury interrogatories must be filed with the clerk before arguments begin, and a party may amend its request to charge as of right any time before the charge conference starts.
Full Text of Section 16-22
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 317.)
Plain-English Summary
Written requests to charge the jury, and written requests for jury interrogatories, must reach the clerk before arguments begin, or earlier if the judicial authority sets an earlier deadline. Once filed, the clerk files them and immediately delivers one copy to the judicial authority and one to opposing counsel, so both sides and the court are working from the same requests.
A party is not locked into its request once filed. Any party may amend a request to charge in writing, as a matter of right, at any time before the charge conference begins. After the charge conference starts, that automatic right to amend no longer applies.
Frequently Asked Questions
When must a request to charge be filed in Connecticut?
Before the beginning of arguments, or at an earlier time set by the judicial authority.
Can I amend my request to charge after filing it?
Yes, in writing and as a matter of right, but only up until the beginning of the charge conference.
Who receives copies of a filed request to charge?
The clerk hands one copy to the judicial authority and one copy to opposing counsel forthwith after filing.
Does this rule cover requests for jury interrogatories too?
Yes, written requests for jury interrogatories must be filed with the clerk on the same timeline as requests to charge.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 16-22). 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: filing requests to charge CTdeadline for jury instructions requestamending request to chargejury interrogatories written requestcharge conference filing deadline