(a) The judicial authority may, upon motion, and after such notice by mail, or otherwise as it may order, open any judgment rendered under this procedure for lack of actual notice to a party, or, within four months from the date thereof, for any other cause that the judicial authority may deem sufficient, and may stay and supersede execution; except that the judicial authority may, for the reasons indicated above, open any judgment rendered by default at any time within four months succeeding the date upon which an execution was levied. The judicial authority may also order the repayment of any sum collected under such judgment and may render judgment and issue execution therefor. Costs in an amount fixed by the judicial authority and not exceeding $100 may be awarded, in the discretion of the judicial authority, for or against either party to a motion to open the judgment, and judgment may be rendered and execution may be issued therefor; and any action by the judicial authority may be conditioned upon the payment of such costs or the performance of any proper condition.
Section 24-31.—Opening Judgment; Costs
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceThis rule lets a party move to open a small claims judgment, usually within four months, for lack of actual notice or other sufficient cause, allowing the court to stay execution, order repayment of amounts already collected, and award limited costs up to $100.
Full Text of Section 24-31
(b) When a judgment has been rendered after a contested hearing on the merits, a motion to open shall be scheduled for hearing only upon order of the judicial authority.
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 584.) (Amended June 26, 2000, to take effect Jan. 1, 2001; amended June 21, 2010, to take effect Jan. 1, 2011.)
Plain-English Summary
Section 24-28 makes small claims judgments final, but this section provides the exception. Upon motion and after notice, the judicial authority may open a judgment for lack of actual notice to a party, or, within four months of the judgment, for any other cause it deems sufficient. If a judgment was entered by default, the court can go further and open it within four months after an execution on that judgment was levied. While considering the motion, the court can stay and supersede execution, and if it opens the judgment, it may order repayment of any money already collected and enter a new judgment and execution to accomplish that.
The judicial authority can also award costs of up to $100 for or against either side on a motion to open, and can condition any relief on payment of those costs or another proper condition. When the underlying judgment followed a contested hearing on the merits, a motion to open only gets scheduled for a hearing if the judicial authority specifically orders one.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to open a small claims judgment in Connecticut?
Generally within four months of the judgment for any sufficient cause, though a judgment can be opened for lack of actual notice, and a default judgment can also be opened within four months after execution was levied.
Can I get money back that was already collected on a small claims judgment?
Yes, if the judicial authority opens the judgment, it may order repayment of any sum already collected and issue a new judgment and execution to enforce that.
Are there costs for filing a motion to open a small claims judgment?
The judicial authority has discretion to award costs of up to $100 for or against either party on the motion.
Will I automatically get a hearing on my motion to open?
Only if the judgment followed a contested hearing on the merits; in that situation, a hearing on the motion to open is scheduled only if the judicial authority orders one.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 24-31). 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
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