The court or any judge thereof may send to a committee for a finding of facts any case wherein the parties are not, as a matter of right, entitled to a trial by jury. A committee shall not be appointed without the consent of all parties appearing, unless the court, after a hearing upon motion for appointment of a committee, is of the opinion that the questions involved are such as clearly ought to be sent to a committee.
Section 19-2.Reference to Committee
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceA court or judge can send a case to a committee to find the facts, but only if all parties consent, unless a hearing convinces the court that the questions involved clearly should go to a committee anyway.
Full Text of Section 19-2
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 429.)
Plain-English Summary
The court or any judge may send a case to a committee for a finding of facts, but only in cases where the parties do not have a right to a jury trial. Ordinarily a committee cannot be appointed without the consent of all appearing parties. The exception: after a hearing on a motion to appoint a committee, the court may appoint one over objection if it concludes the questions involved clearly ought to be sent to a committee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all parties have to agree before a case goes to a committee?
Generally yes. A committee cannot be appointed without the consent of all appearing parties unless the court, after a hearing, decides the questions involved clearly call for it.
Can a case with a right to jury trial be sent to a committee?
No. The rule limits committee referrals to cases where the parties are not entitled, as a matter of right, to a jury trial.
What does a committee do once a case is referred?
The text says a committee is sent a case for a finding of facts.
What happens if a party objects to a committee referral?
The court holds a hearing on the motion for appointment, and may still appoint a committee if it finds the questions involved clearly ought to be sent to one.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 19-2). 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: reference to committee Connecticutcommittee finding of facts CTconsent required for committee referralcivil case sent to committeePractice Book 19-2