Section 23-68.Where Presence of Person May Be by Means of an Interactive Audiovisual Device

This rule governs remote appearances across Connecticut civil proceedings, including small claims and family support magistrate matters. On motion of any party, and at the judicial authority's discretion, a party, counsel, witness, or other participant may appear by interactive audiovisual device instead of appearing in person. The judicial authority may also require a remote appearance at its discretion, even without a party's request. The device must let the judicial authority, any party and counsel, and the remote participant see and communicate with each other simultaneously, and it must allow an incarcerated individual to confer privately with counsel.

Several safeguards apply. Unless the law or the judicial authority provides otherwise, copies of documents that may be offered at the proceeding must go to all counsel and self-represented parties beforehand. An authorized officer may administer an oath remotely as long as the officer can see, hear, and clearly identify the person being sworn. The judicial authority retains discretion to deny a remote appearance request where the interest of justice or the presentation of the case requires an in-person appearance, and nothing in the rule limits the Judicial Branch's ability to handle matters remotely at the chief court administrator's discretion. For purposes of this section, “judicial authority” includes family support magistrates and magistrates the chief court administrator appoints under General Statutes § 51-193l.