(a) A motion for summary judgment shall be supported by appropriate documents, including but not limited to affidavits, certified transcripts of testimony under oath, disclosures, written admissions and other supporting documents.
Section 17-45.—Proceedings upon Motion for Summary Judgment
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceThis rule spells out the paperwork and deadlines for summary judgment motions: what documents must support the motion, how long the opposing party has to respond, and when the motion can reach the short calendar.
Full Text of Section 17-45
(b) Unless otherwise ordered by the judicial authority, any adverse party shall file and serve a response to the motion for summary judgment within forty-five days of the filing of the motion, including opposing affidavits and other available documentary evidence.
(c) Unless otherwise ordered by the judicial authority, the moving party shall not claim the motion for summary judgment to the short calendar less than forty-five days after the filing of the motion for summary judgment.
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 380.) (Amended June 26, 2000, to take effect Jan. 1, 2001; amended June 30, 2003, to take effect Jan. 1, 2004; amended June 21, 2004, to take effect Jan. 1, 2005; amended June 24, 2016, to take effect Jan. 1, 2017; amended June 11, 2021, to take effect Jan. 1, 2022.)
Plain-English Summary
Section 17-45 governs the mechanics of moving for summary judgment. The moving party’s motion must be supported by appropriate documents — affidavits, certified transcripts of sworn testimony, disclosures, written admissions, and other supporting documents are listed as examples, though the list is not exclusive. Once the motion is filed, the adverse party has forty-five days to file and serve a response, which must include opposing affidavits and any other available documentary evidence, unless the judicial authority orders otherwise.
The rule also sets a floor on when the motion can be brought before the court: unless the judicial authority orders otherwise, the moving party cannot claim the motion to the short calendar until at least forty-five days after filing it. Together, these deadlines give the opposing party a guaranteed window to gather and submit evidence before the motion is heard.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the opposing party have to respond to a summary judgment motion in Connecticut?
Forty-five days from the filing of the motion, unless the judicial authority orders a different deadline.
What documents support a motion for summary judgment?
The motion must be supported by appropriate documents, which can include affidavits, certified transcripts of testimony under oath, disclosures, written admissions, and other supporting documents.
When can a summary judgment motion be claimed to the short calendar?
Not less than forty-five days after the motion was filed, unless the judicial authority orders otherwise.
What must an opposing party file in response to a summary judgment motion?
A response that includes opposing affidavits and any other available documentary evidence, filed and served within the forty-five day window.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 17-45). 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: summary judgment response deadline CTopposing summary judgment Connecticutforty-five day summary judgment deadlinesummary judgment short calendarsupporting documents summary judgment motion