(a) In any action based upon an express or implied promise to pay a definite sum and claiming only liquidated damages, which may include interest, a reasonable attorney’s fee and other lawful charges, the procedure set forth in Section 17-20 and in Sections 17-25 through 17-28 shall be followed, if there is a default of appearance. A certificate of closed pleadings shall not be filed in matters which fall within the scope of these rules because such matters shall not proceed on the inventory of pending cases requiring a hearing in damages.
Section 17-24.—Promise To Pay Liquidated Sum
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceThis rule directs parties suing on a promise to pay a definite sum of liquidated damages to follow the failure-to-appear procedure in Sections 17-20 and 17-25 through 17-28, using forms prescribed by the Office of the Chief Court Administrator, without filing a certificate of closed pleadings.
Full Text of Section 17-24
(b) When moving for default and judgment pursuant to Sections 17-25 through 17-28, a party shall move for default and judgment on forms prescribed by the Office of the Chief Court Administrator.
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 357.) (Amended June 29, 1998, to take effect Jan. 1, 1999.)
Plain-English Summary
Section 17-24 applies to actions based on an express or implied promise to pay a definite sum, where the plaintiff claims only liquidated damages — which may include interest, a reasonable attorney’s fee, and other lawful charges. When there is a default of appearance in such a case, subsection (a) requires following the procedure in Section 17-20 together with Sections 17-25 through 17-28. No certificate of closed pleadings is filed in these matters, because they do not proceed on the inventory of pending cases requiring a hearing in damages.
Subsection (b) requires that when a party moves for default and judgment under Sections 17-25 through 17-28, the motion must be made on forms prescribed by the Office of the Chief Court Administrator.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of case does Section 17-24 cover?
Actions based on an express or implied promise to pay a definite sum, claiming only liquidated damages, which may include interest, a reasonable attorney’s fee, and other lawful charges.
Do these cases require a certificate of closed pleadings?
No. Subsection (a) states that a certificate of closed pleadings is not filed in matters within this rule, because they do not proceed on the inventory of pending cases requiring a hearing in damages.
What forms are required to move for default and judgment under this rule?
Subsection (b) requires using forms prescribed by the Office of the Chief Court Administrator when moving for default and judgment under Sections 17-25 through 17-28.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 17-24). 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: liquidated damages default judgment CTpromise to pay definite sum defaultcertificate of closed pleadings not requiredOffice of Chief Court Administrator default forms