During the time an order placing an attorney on inactive status is in effect, such attorney shall be precluded from practicing law. No entry fee shall be required for proceedings pursuant to this section and Sections 2-57 through 2-62. Any hearings necessitated by the proceedings may, in the discretion of the court, be held in chambers, and records and papers filed in connection therewith shall be open for inspection only to persons having a proper interest therein and upon order of the court. The court shall, in exercising discretion, weigh the public policy in favor of open proceedings, as well as the duty to protect the public, against the attorney’s right to medical and mental health privacy and ability to pursue a livelihood.
Section 2-56.Inactive Status of Attorney
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceThis rule sets the baseline procedural rules for placing an attorney on inactive status, barring practice during the order, waiving entry fees, and letting the court balance privacy against public protection at any hearing.
Full Text of Section 2-56
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 39.) (Amended June 24, 2002, to take effect July 1, 2003; May 14, 2003, effective date changed to Oct. 1, 2003; Sept. 30, 2003, effective date changed to Jan. 1, 2004.)
Plain-English Summary
Section 2-56 is the umbrella rule for inactive-status proceedings covered in Sections 2-57 through 2-62. While an order placing an attorney on inactive status is in effect, that attorney can’t practice law. No entry fee applies to any proceeding under this section or Sections 2-57 through 2-62.
The court has discretion to hold any necessary hearings in chambers and to keep the records and papers from these proceedings open only to people with a proper interest in them, subject to a court order. In exercising that discretion, the court weighs the public’s interest in open proceedings and its duty to protect the public against the attorney’s right to medical and mental health privacy and ability to earn a living.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an attorney practice law while on inactive status?
No. While an order placing an attorney on inactive status is in effect, the attorney is precluded from practicing law.
Is there a filing fee for inactive-status proceedings?
No. No entry fee is required for proceedings under Section 2-56 or Sections 2-57 through 2-62.
Are inactive-status hearings and records open to the public?
The court has discretion to hold hearings in chambers and to limit access to records to people with a proper interest, weighing the public’s interest in open proceedings against the attorney’s privacy and livelihood.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 2-56). 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 inactive status Connecticutinactive status hearing privacyno entry fee inactive statuslawyer barred from practicing while inactive