The court, on its own motion, may refer to a fact finder any contract action pending in the Superior Court, except claims under insurance contracts for uninsured and or underinsured motorist coverage, in which money damages only are claimed, which is based upon an express or implied promise to pay a definite sum, and in which the amount, legal interest or property in controversy is less than $50,000, exclusive of interest and costs. Such cases may be referred to a fact finder only after the pleadings have been closed, a certificate of closed pleadings has been filed, and the time prescribed for filing a jury trial claim has expired.
Section 23-53.—Referral of Cases to Fact Finders
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceThis section lets the court, on its own initiative, send certain small contract cases seeking only money damages under $50,000 to a fact finder once pleadings have closed and the jury claim window has passed.
Full Text of Section 23-53
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 546D.) (Amended June 29, 1998, to take effect Jan. 1, 1999.)
Plain-English Summary
A judge may refer a contract action pending in Superior Court to a fact finder without either party asking. The case must seek money damages only, based on an express or implied promise to pay a definite sum, with the amount in controversy under $50,000 exclusive of interest and costs. Claims involving uninsured or underinsured motorist insurance coverage are excluded from this referral, regardless of the amount at stake.
Timing matters: the court can send a case to a fact finder only after the pleadings have closed, a certificate of closed pleadings has been filed, and the deadline for claiming a jury trial has passed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of cases can go to a Connecticut fact finder?
Contract actions pending in Superior Court seeking only money damages under $50,000, exclusive of interest and costs, based on an express or implied promise to pay a definite sum.
Can a party request fact-finding, or only the court?
The text of this section describes referral on the court's own motion; it does not provide for a party-initiated request to a fact finder.
What claims are excluded from fact-finding referral?
Claims under insurance contracts for uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage cannot be referred to a fact finder under this section.
When can the court refer a case to a fact finder?
Only after the pleadings are closed, a certificate of closed pleadings has been filed, and the time for filing a jury trial claim has expired.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 23-53). 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: fact-finding referral CTcontract case fact finder Connecticutsmall contract claims fact findingcertificate of closed pleadings fact finder$50,000 fact finder limit