(a) If the plaintiff or representative fails to appear before the court on the hearing date, the judicial authority may dismiss the claim for want of prosecution, render a finding on the merits for the defendant or make such other disposition as may be proper.
Section 24-26.—Failure of a Party To Appear before the Court when Required
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceThis rule tells the judge what to do when either side skips a scheduled small claims hearing: a missing plaintiff can lose the claim outright, and a missing defendant can face judgment based on the proof the plaintiff, who must have shown up, presents.
Full Text of Section 24-26
(b) If the defendant fails to appear before the court at any time set for hearing, the judicial authority may render judgment in favor of the plaintiff based on such proofs as it deems necessary to establish the amount due under the claim, or make such other disposition as may be proper, provided that the plaintiff has appeared at the hearing.
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 579.)
Plain-English Summary
Showing up matters. If the plaintiff or the plaintiff's representative fails to appear on the hearing date, the judicial authority can dismiss the claim for want of prosecution, rule for the defendant on the merits, or make whatever other disposition seems proper.
If instead the defendant is the one who fails to appear at any scheduled hearing, the judicial authority may enter judgment for the plaintiff based on whatever proof it finds sufficient to establish the amount due — but only if the plaintiff appeared at that hearing. The court can also make other appropriate dispositions in that situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I miss my small claims hearing as the plaintiff?
The judge may dismiss your claim for want of prosecution, rule for the defendant on the merits, or make another appropriate disposition.
What happens if the defendant does not show up to a small claims hearing?
The judge may enter judgment for the plaintiff based on the proof presented, as long as the plaintiff appeared at the hearing.
Can a small claims case be dismissed for not appearing?
Yes, if the plaintiff or representative fails to appear, the judicial authority may dismiss the claim for want of prosecution.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 24-26). 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: failure to appear small claims Connecticutmissed small claims hearingsmall claims dismissal want of prosecutiondefendant no-show small claims judgment