It is the function of the court or judge to determine and appoint the person or persons who shall constitute a committee, or the referee to whom a case shall be referred. Recommendations by counsel shall be made only at the request of the court or judge. If more than one person shall constitute the committee, the first person named by the court shall be the chair of the committee.
Section 19-5.Appointment of Committee or Referee
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceThe court or judge, not the parties, decides who serves on a committee or as a referee in a referred case, though counsel may suggest names if the court asks for recommendations.
Full Text of Section 19-5
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 431.)
Plain-English Summary
Appointing a committee or referee is the court’s call. The court or judge determines and appoints the person or persons who will make up a committee, or the individual referee to whom a case is sent. Attorneys don’t get to nominate candidates on their own initiative — recommendations from counsel are proper only when the court or judge invites them. When a committee has more than one member, the first person the court names becomes its chair.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the parties pick who serves on the committee?
No. Appointment is the function of the court or judge, though counsel may offer recommendations if the court asks for them.
Who chairs a multi-member committee?
The first person named by the court to the committee serves as its chair.
Can a lawyer suggest a referee without being asked?
The rule limits recommendations by counsel to situations where the court or judge has requested them.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 19-5). 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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