In all actions, whether the relief sought be legal or equitable in its nature, judgment may be given for or against one or more of several plaintiffs, and for or against one or more of several defendants; and the judicial authority may grant to a defendant any affirmative relief to which the defendant may be entitled, and may determine the rights of the parties on each side as between themselves insofar as a consideration of the issues between them is necessary to a full adjudication as regards the claim stated in the complaint. (See General Statutes § 52-227.)
Section 17-1.Judgments in General
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceThis rule lets a court enter judgment for or against any combination of multiple plaintiffs or defendants, grant a defendant affirmative relief, and sort out the parties' rights among themselves as needed to fully resolve the claims in the complaint.
Full Text of Section 17-1
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 323.) Sec. ure To Appear or Plead Rendered ment
Plain-English Summary
Section 17-1 sets the ground rules for how judgment can be shaped when a case has more than one plaintiff or defendant. A court is not limited to an all-or-nothing outcome — it may render judgment for or against one or more of several plaintiffs, and for or against one or more of several defendants, so the result can track how the evidence came out for each party.
The rule also lets the judicial authority grant a defendant affirmative relief the defendant is entitled to, not just deny the plaintiff’s claim, and it authorizes the court to determine how parties on the same side of the case stand toward one another, but only to the extent needed for a full adjudication of the claim in the complaint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a court rule for some defendants and against others in the same case?
Yes. Section 17-1 allows judgment for or against one or more of several plaintiffs, and for or against one or more of several defendants, in the same action.
Can a defendant win affirmative relief under this rule?
Yes. The judicial authority may grant a defendant any affirmative relief to which the defendant is entitled, not merely a defense verdict.
Does this rule let the court settle disputes between co-plaintiffs or co-defendants?
It does, but only insofar as resolving those disputes is necessary to fully adjudicate the claim stated in the complaint.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 17-1). 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: judgment for or against multiple defendants Connecticutjudgment among co-parties CTaffirmative relief to defendant ConnecticutPractice Book 17-1judgments in general CT civil procedure