The clerk shall give notice of entry of a default, in the case of a defendant who has filed an appearance, in person to the defendant or the defendant’s attorney, by mail, or by electronic notice, and in the case of a nonappearing defendant, by mailing such notice to the defendant at his or her last known address. The clerk shall enter on the docket the date when the clerk gives, mails or sends the notice, and said period of ten days shall run from said date.
Section 17-36.—Notice by Clerk
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceRequires the clerk to notify a defaulted defendant of the default, in person, by mail, or electronically for appearing defendants and by mail to the last known address for nonappearing defendants, with the docket recording the date to start the ten-day notice period.
Full Text of Section 17-36
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 369.) (Amended June 29, 1998, to take effect Jan. 1, 1999.)
Plain-English Summary
Rule 17-36 assigns responsibility for notifying a defendant of a default to the clerk. If the defendant has filed an appearance, the clerk gives notice in person to the defendant or the defendant’s attorney, by mail, or by electronic notice. If the defendant has not appeared, the clerk mails the notice to the defendant’s last known address.
The clerk must enter on the docket the date the notice is given, mailed, or sent, and the ten-day period referenced in Section 17-35 runs from that recorded date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for notifying a defendant that a default has been entered?
The clerk gives notice of the default, using different methods depending on whether the defendant has filed an appearance.
How does the clerk notify a defendant who has not filed an appearance?
By mailing the notice to the defendant’s last known address.
How does the clerk notify a defendant who has appeared in the case?
In person to the defendant or the defendant’s attorney, by mail, or by electronic notice.
When does the ten-day period to file a notice of defenses start running?
From the date the clerk enters on the docket as the date the notice was given, mailed, or sent.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 17-36). 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: notice by clerk of default Connecticuthow is default notice served CTdocket date default noticeclerk mailing notice default