Actions may be instituted at the option of the claimant by the procedure herein provided for, or by writ and complaint returnable to the regular civil docket of the Superior Court. Actions may also be instituted and papers filed, signed or verified by electronic means in the manner prescribed in Section 4-4.
Section 24-3.Institution of Actions; Electronic Filing
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentencePractice Book Section 24-3 lets a claimant choose between the simplified small claims procedure or a regular writ and complaint on the civil docket, and permits filing electronically under Section 4-4.
Full Text of Section 24-3
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 549.) (Amended June 21, 2010, to take effect Jan. 1, 2011.)
Plain-English Summary
A person with a qualifying claim is not forced into small claims court. Section 24-3 gives the claimant the option to bring the action through the small claims procedure described in this chapter, or instead file a writ and complaint returnable to the regular civil docket of the Superior Court, following the ordinary rules of civil procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to file in small claims court, or can I use regular civil court instead?
Section 24-3 gives the claimant the choice: file under the small claims procedure or file a writ and complaint on the regular civil docket of the Superior Court.
Can I file a small claims case electronically in Connecticut?
Yes. Section 24-3 allows actions to be instituted and papers filed, signed, or verified electronically in the manner prescribed in Section 4-4.
Why would someone choose the regular civil docket instead of small claims?
Section 24-3 does not state a reason to prefer one path over the other; it establishes only that the choice belongs to the claimant.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 24-3). 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: how to file small claims Connecticutsmall claims vs regular civil court CTelectronic filing small claimsstarting a small claims case