(a) When any case shall be referred, no trial will be had by the court unless the reference be revoked upon stipulation of the parties or order of the court. Any reference shall continue in force until the duties thereunder have been performed or the order revoked.
Section 19-6.Effect of Reference
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceOnce a case is referred out, the court will not hold its own trial unless the reference is revoked, and in eminent domain cases the court sets a deadline for the parties to exchange appraisal reports.
Full Text of Section 19-6
(b) In making a reference in any eminent domain proceeding, the court shall fix a date not more than sixty days thereafter, unless for good cause shown a longer period is required, on which the parties shall exchange copies of their appraisal reports. Such reports shall set forth the valuation placed upon the property in issue and the details of the items of, or the basis for, such valuation. The court may, in its discretion and under such conditions as it deems proper, and after notice and hearing, grant a further extension of time, beyond that originally fixed, to any party confronted with unusual and special circumstances requiring additional time for the exchange of appraisal reports.
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 432.) (Amended June 28, 1999, to take effect Jan. 1, 2000.)
Plain-English Summary
Referring a case has real consequences: the court will not try the case itself once a reference is made, unless the parties stipulate to revoke the reference or the court orders it revoked. The reference stays in force until the referee finishes the assigned duties or the court revokes the order — it does not expire on its own.
In eminent domain proceedings specifically, the court must set a date, no more than sixty days after the reference (longer only for good cause shown), by which the parties exchange copies of their appraisal reports. Those reports must lay out the valuation placed on the property and explain the basis for that valuation. The court can grant a further extension, after notice and a hearing, for a party facing unusual circumstances that require more time to exchange appraisal reports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the court still try a case after referring it out?
No, not unless the reference is revoked by stipulation of the parties or by court order.
How long does a reference stay in effect?
It continues until the referee’s duties under it have been performed or the court revokes the order.
What is the deadline to exchange appraisal reports in an eminent domain reference?
The court fixes a date no more than sixty days after the reference, unless good cause is shown for a longer period.
Can the appraisal report exchange deadline be extended?
Yes, the court may grant a further extension after notice and hearing if a party faces unusual and special circumstances requiring more time.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 19-6). 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: effect of reference to committeeeminent domain appraisal report deadline CTrevoking a referencehow long does a reference lastappraisal report exchange sixty days