Motions in arrest of judgment, whether for extrinsic causes or causes apparent on the record, motions to set aside a verdict, motions for remittitur, motions for additur, motions for new trials, unless brought by petition served on the adverse party or parties, and motions pursuant to General Statutes § 52-225a for reduction of the verdict due to collateral source payments must be filed with the clerk within ten days after the day the verdict is accepted; provided that for good cause the judicial authority may extend this time. The clerk shall notify the trial judge of such filing. Such motions shall state the specific grounds upon which counsel relies.
Section 16-35.Motions after Verdict: Motions in Arrest of Judgment, To Set Aside Verdict, for Additur or Remittitur, for New Trial, or for Collateral Source Reduction
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceMotions in arrest of judgment, to set aside a verdict, for remittitur or additur, for a new trial, and for collateral-source reduction must generally be filed with the clerk within ten days of the verdict, state their specific grounds, and go through the trial judge unless good cause supports an extension.
Full Text of Section 16-35
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 320.)
Plain-English Summary
Section 16-35 sets the filing rules for the main family of post-verdict motions: motions in arrest of judgment (whether based on causes outside the record or causes apparent on the record), motions to set aside a verdict, motions for remittitur, motions for additur, motions for new trials not brought by petition served on the adverse party or parties, and motions under General Statutes § 52-225a to reduce a verdict for collateral source payments. Each must be filed with the clerk within ten days after the day the verdict is accepted.
The judicial authority may extend that ten-day window for good cause. The clerk must notify the trial judge whenever such a motion is filed, and the motion itself must state the specific grounds counsel relies on — a bare request without stated grounds does not satisfy the rule. The section does not describe the substantive standards for granting any of these motions; it addresses only the filing deadline, the good-cause extension, the notice to the trial judge, and the requirement to state grounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a motion to set aside a verdict in Connecticut?
Section 16-35 requires the motion to be filed with the clerk within ten days after the day the verdict is accepted, though the judicial authority may extend that time for good cause.
What motions does Section 16-35 cover?
It covers motions in arrest of judgment, motions to set aside a verdict, motions for remittitur, motions for additur, motions for new trials not brought by petition served on the adverse parties, and motions under General Statutes § 52-225a to reduce a verdict for collateral source payments.
Do these motions need to explain the reasons behind them?
Yes. Section 16-35 requires the motion to state the specific grounds upon which counsel relies.
Does the clerk do anything besides accept the filing?
Yes, the clerk must notify the trial judge whenever one of these motions is filed.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 16-35). 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: motion to set aside verdict Connecticutadditur remittitur motion CTmotion for new trial after verdict CTmotion in arrest of judgment Connecticutcollateral source reduction motion CTten day deadline post-verdict motion Connecticut