Whenever restitution has been made the panel or committee investigating the attorney’s conduct shall nevertheless determine if further proceedings are necessary. If it is found that further proceedings are deemed unnecessary, such decision shall be reviewed by the Statewide Grievance Committee in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
Section 2-49.Restitution
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceEven after an attorney has made restitution to a client, the panel or committee investigating the conduct must still decide whether further disciplinary proceedings are needed, and that decision goes to the Statewide Grievance Committee for review.
Full Text of Section 2-49
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 31B.)
Plain-English Summary
Section 2-49 addresses a narrow but important question: does paying back a client end the disciplinary inquiry? The answer is no, not automatically. When restitution has been made, the panel or committee investigating the attorney's conduct must still decide whether further proceedings are necessary. Restitution can factor into that decision, but it doesn't close the file on its own.
If the panel or committee concludes that no further proceedings are needed, that conclusion isn't final by itself. The Statewide Grievance Committee reviews the decision under the chapter's other provisions, adding a layer of oversight before a case can end just because the money has been repaid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does paying restitution end a grievance investigation in Connecticut?
No. The panel or committee must still determine whether further proceedings are necessary even after restitution has been made.
Who reviews a decision that no further proceedings are needed after restitution?
The Statewide Grievance Committee reviews that decision, following the procedures set out elsewhere in the chapter.
Can an attorney avoid discipline just by repaying a client?
The rule doesn’t say restitution guarantees the case will be dropped — it only requires the investigating body to consider whether more proceedings are warranted.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 2-49). 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: restitution to client attorney discipline CTdoes repaying client stop grievance caseStatewide Grievance Committee review of restitution decisionattorney pays back client misconduct