In proceedings before a judge no costs shall be taxed in favor of either party unless otherwise provided by statute.
Section 18-19.Proceedings before Judge; No Costs
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceIn proceedings held before a judge, neither party can recover costs from the other unless a statute specifically authorizes it.
Full Text of Section 18-19
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 427.) Sec. Probate Judges; Time To File Report For previous Histories and Commentarie corresponding to the years o
Plain-English Summary
This section sets a default rule for proceedings before a judge: no costs are taxed in favor of either side. That default only gives way when a statute expressly provides for costs in that type of proceeding. Absent such statutory authority, each party bears its own costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recover costs from the other party in a proceeding before a judge?
Only if a statute specifically authorizes costs in that proceeding. Otherwise, no costs are taxed to either side.
Why would costs not be available by default?
The rule treats the absence of costs as the baseline for proceedings before a judge, so a party seeking costs must point to a statute that allows them.
Does this section apply to jury trials?
The text addresses proceedings before a judge; it does not speak to jury proceedings.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 18-19). 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: no costs before judge CTcosts in judge proceedingswhen are costs available Connecticutstatutory costs requirement CTPractice Book 18-19