If such cause occurs in the actual presence of the court, the order may be summary, and without complaint or hearing; but a record shall be made of such order, reciting the ground thereof. Without limiting the inherent powers of the court, if attorney misconduct occurs in the actual presence of the court, the Statewide Grievance Committee and the grievance panels shall defer to the court if the court chooses to exercise its jurisdiction.
Section 2-45.—Cause Occurring in Presence of Court
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceThis rule lets a Superior Court judge issue a summary disciplinary order, without a complaint or hearing, when attorney misconduct happens in the judge's actual presence, as long as a record of the order and its grounds is made.
Full Text of Section 2-45
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 30.)
Plain-English Summary
Section 2-45 covers attorney misconduct that occurs in the actual presence of the court. In that situation, the court may issue its order summarily, without the usual complaint or hearing process, but it must make a record of the order and state the grounds for it. The section also makes clear that this does not limit the court’s inherent powers, and that the Statewide Grievance Committee and grievance panels will defer to the court if the court chooses to exercise its own jurisdiction over misconduct that happened in its presence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a judge need a hearing to discipline an attorney for misconduct in court?
No. If the misconduct occurs in the actual presence of the court, the order may be summary and issued without a complaint or hearing.
Does the court still have to explain why it disciplined the attorney?
Yes. A record must be made of the order, reciting the grounds for it.
Who handles attorney misconduct that happens in front of a judge, the court or the grievance committee?
The Statewide Grievance Committee and the grievance panels defer to the court if the court chooses to exercise its own jurisdiction over misconduct occurring in its presence.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 2-45). 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: attorney misconduct in front of judgesummary discipline order Connecticutcontempt of court attorney disciplinegrievance committee defer to court