The actual legal disbursements of the prevailing party for entry fee, witness’ fees, fees for copies, officers’ fees, and costs for service shall be allowed as costs, including any statutory costs. The recording fee paid for filing a judgment lien shall also be added to the judgment amount. The costs paid as an application fee for any execution on a money judgment shall be taxed by the clerk upon the issuance of an execution. No other costs shall be allowed either party except by special order of the judicial authority. The judicial authority shall have power in its discretion to award costs, in a sum fixed by the judicial authority, not exceeding $100 (exclusive of such cash disbursements, or in addition thereto) against any party, whether the prevailing party or not, who has set up a frivolous or vexatious claim, defense or counterclaim, or has made an unfair, insufficient or misleading answer, or has negligently failed to be ready for trial, or has otherwise sought to hamper a party or the judicial authority in securing a speedy determination of the claim upon its merits, and it may render judgment and issue execution therefor, or set off such costs against damages or costs, as justice may require. In no case shall costs exceed the amount of the judgment.
Section 24-33.Costs in Small Claims
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceThis rule sets out what costs the prevailing party can recover in a small claims case, including entry, witness, copy, officer, and service fees, plus a possible penalty of up to $100 against a party who acted frivolously, vexatiously, or unfairly, capped at the amount of the judgment.
Full Text of Section 24-33
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 590.) (Amended June 26, 2000, to take effect Jan. 1, 2001; amended June 21, 2010, to take effect Jan. 1, 2011.)
Plain-English Summary
The prevailing party in a small claims case can recover its actual legal disbursements as costs: the entry fee, witness fees, fees for copies, officers' fees, and costs of service, along with any statutory costs. A recording fee paid to file a judgment lien gets added to the judgment amount too, and the fee paid to apply for an execution on a money judgment is taxed by the clerk when the execution issues. Beyond these specific items, no other costs are allowed to either party unless the judicial authority makes a special order.
The judicial authority also has discretion to penalize bad conduct in the case, awarding costs of up to $100 against any party — win or lose — who set up a frivolous or vexatious claim, defense, or counterclaim; gave an unfair, insufficient, or misleading answer; negligently failed to be ready for trial; or otherwise hampered a speedy resolution of the case. The court can enter judgment and issue execution for those costs, or set them off against damages or other costs. Whatever the total, costs can never exceed the amount of the judgment itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What costs can I recover after winning a small claims case in Connecticut?
Actual legal disbursements such as the entry fee, witness fees, copy fees, officers' fees, and service costs, plus any statutory costs and, if applicable, a judgment lien recording fee.
Can I be penalized for acting in bad faith in a small claims case?
Yes, the judicial authority may award up to $100 in costs against any party, regardless of who wins, for a frivolous or vexatious claim or defense, a misleading answer, or negligently failing to be ready for trial.
Is there a limit on total costs in a Connecticut small claims judgment?
Yes, costs can never exceed the amount of the judgment.
Do I need special court approval for costs beyond the standard fees?
Yes, no costs beyond the specifically listed disbursements are allowed unless the judicial authority issues a special order.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 24-33). 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: small claims court costs Connecticutrecovering costs small claims CTfrivolous claim penalty small claimssmall claims fees and disbursements