Section 18-13.Several Defendants; Costs

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

In one sentenceWhen a case has several defendants, the court can order proceedings so that a defendant with no stake in a particular matter is not put to needless expense, and no defendant can be taxed with costs they are not justly responsible for.

Full Text of Section 18-13

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In all cases where there are several defendants, the judicial authority may make such order as it may deem just to prevent any defendant from being embarrassed or put to expense by being required to attend upon any proceedings in the action in which such defendant may have no interest; and no costs shall be taxed against any defendant with which that defendant is not justly chargeable.

Amendment History

(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 420.)

Plain-English Summary

In cases with several defendants, this section gives the judicial authority discretion to enter whatever order it considers just to prevent any defendant from being embarrassed or put to expense over proceedings in which that defendant has no interest.

It also sets a limit on how costs can be assessed: no costs may be taxed against a defendant with which that defendant is not justly chargeable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can one defendant be shielded from proceedings that do not concern them?

Yes. The judicial authority may make whatever order it deems just to prevent a defendant from being embarrassed or put to expense attending proceedings in which that defendant has no interest.

Can costs be taxed against a defendant who had no real connection to them?

No. The section states that no costs shall be taxed against any defendant with which that defendant is not justly chargeable.

Does this apply only to trial proceedings?

The text refers broadly to being required to attend upon any proceedings in the action, not just trial.

Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 18-13). 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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