The judicial authority may at any time allow any claim or answer, setoff or counterclaim to be amended. A party may challenge jurisdiction by way of a motion to dismiss.
Section 24-20.—Amendment of Claim or Answer, Setoff or Counterclaim; Motion To Dismiss
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceThe court may allow a claim, answer, setoff, or counterclaim to be amended at any point in a small claims case, and any party may challenge the court's jurisdiction by filing a motion to dismiss.
Full Text of Section 24-20
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 571.) (Amended June 26, 2000, to take effect Jan. 1, 2001.)
Plain-English Summary
This rule gives the court broad discretion to permit amendments in a small claims case. At any time, the judicial authority may allow the claim, the answer, a setoff, or a counterclaim to be changed, which lets parties correct or update their pleadings as the case develops rather than being locked into their original filing.
The rule also confirms that a party who believes the court lacks jurisdiction over the case can raise that challenge through a motion to dismiss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fix a mistake in my small claims complaint after filing it?
Yes. The judicial authority may allow a claim, answer, setoff, or counterclaim to be amended at any time.
How does a party challenge whether small claims court has jurisdiction over the case?
By filing a motion to dismiss, which is the mechanism this rule identifies for raising a jurisdictional challenge.
Do I need the court's permission to amend my answer?
Amendments are allowed by the judicial authority, meaning the court's authorization governs whether and how a claim or answer gets amended.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 24-20). 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: amending a small claims claim CTsmall claims motion to dismiss Connecticutchanging your small claims answerjurisdiction challenge small claims court