When the judicial authority grants a motion to set a verdict aside, it shall file a memorandum stating the grounds of its decision.
Section 16-38.Memorandum on Setting Verdict Aside
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceWhenever a judicial authority grants a motion to set a verdict aside, it must file a written memorandum explaining the grounds for that decision.
Full Text of Section 16-38
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 322.) Sec. To Appear on Record in Record Equal to or Greater than Offer of Judicial Authority or To Appear for Trial Appear Failure To Enter an Appearance There Is a Default for Failure To Appear; Limitations Debt; Military Affidavit; Bill of Costs; Debt Instrument For previous Histories and Commentarie corresponding to the years o
Plain-English Summary
Section 16-38 places a single, direct duty on the judicial authority: when it grants a motion to set a verdict aside, it must file a memorandum stating the grounds for the decision. The rule does not describe the standards for granting such a motion in the first place — those are addressed elsewhere, including in Section 16-35 — it addresses only the obligation to document the reasoning once the motion is granted.
Frequently Asked Questions
What must a Connecticut judge do after setting aside a verdict?
The judicial authority must file a memorandum stating the grounds for its decision to set the verdict aside.
Does this rule apply if the motion to set aside the verdict is denied?
No, the text of Section 16-38 applies when the judicial authority grants the motion, not when it denies one.
Why does a written memorandum matter after a verdict is set aside?
It creates a record of the grounds for the decision, which relates directly to the requirement in Section 16-35 that motions to set aside a verdict state their specific grounds.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 16-38). 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: memorandum on setting aside verdict CTwritten grounds for setting aside verdict Connecticutjudge explains reasons for vacating verdictConnecticut Practice Book 16-38