Section 17-15.—Acceptance of Plaintiff’s Offer

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

In one sentenceThis section lets a defendant accept a plaintiff's offer of compromise in writing within thirty days, after which the plaintiff must file a withdrawal of the action once the settlement sum is received.

Full Text of Section 17-15

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Within thirty days after being notified of the filing of such offer of compromise and prior to the rendering of a verdict by the jury or an award by the judicial authority, the defendant or the defendant’s attorney may file with the clerk of the court a written acceptance of the offer of compromise agreeing to settle the claim underlying the action for the sum certain specified in the plaintiff’s offer. Upon such filing and the receipt by the plaintiff of such sum certain, the plaintiff shall file a withdrawal of the action with the clerk and the clerk shall record the withdrawal of the action against the defendant accordingly.

End

Amendment History

(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 347.) (Amended June 24, 2002, to take effect Jan. 1, 2003; amended June 26, 2006, to take effect Jan. 1, 2007.)

Plain-English Summary

Once a plaintiff files an offer of compromise, the defendant has thirty days from notice of the filing — and the acceptance must come before any verdict or award is rendered — to file a written acceptance with the clerk, agreeing to settle the underlying claim for the sum certain the plaintiff specified. After the defendant files the acceptance and the plaintiff receives that sum, the plaintiff must file a withdrawal of the action, and the clerk records the withdrawal against the defendant.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a defendant have to accept a plaintiff's offer of compromise?

Thirty days after being notified of the filing, and the acceptance must be filed before a verdict or award is rendered.

What happens after a defendant accepts a plaintiff's offer of compromise?

Once the defendant files the written acceptance and the plaintiff receives the sum certain, the plaintiff must file a withdrawal of the action, and the clerk records the withdrawal against the defendant.

Who files the acceptance of a plaintiff's offer of compromise?

The defendant or the defendant’s attorney files a written acceptance with the clerk of the court.

Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 17-15). 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

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