(a) Except as hereinafter limited, the word ‘‘representative’’ as used in this chapter shall mean: an attorney at law; one of a number of partners; one of a number of joint plaintiffs acting for all; an officer, manager or local manager of a corporation; an employee of an unincorporated business which is not a partnership; the Commissioner of Administrative Services or his or her authorized representative while acting in an official capacity; the chief court administrator or his or her authorized representative while acting in an official capacity. The word ‘‘representative’’ shall not mean a consumer collection agency as defined in chapter 669 of the General Statutes or an individual acting pursuant to a power of attorney.
Section 24-6.Definition of ‘‘Plaintiff’’ and ‘‘Representative’’
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentencePractice Book Section 24-6 defines who may act as a plaintiff's "representative" in small claims court, folds that definition into the meaning of "plaintiff," and bars non-attorneys from charging a fee to represent a party.
Full Text of Section 24-6
(b) The word ‘‘plaintiff’’ as used in this chapter shall include ‘‘representative’’ as defined in subsection (a), except where otherwise indicated.
(c) It is prohibited for one who is not an attorney at law to receive a fee for the representation of any party.
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 552.) (Amended June 26, 2000, to take effect Jan. 1, 2001; amended June 21, 2010, to take effect Jan. 1, 2011.)
Plain-English Summary
Section 24-6 defines “representative” for purposes of the small claims chapter. The term covers an attorney at law, one of several partners, one of several joint plaintiffs acting for all of them, an officer or manager of a corporation, an employee of an unincorporated business that is not a partnership, and the Commissioner of Administrative Services or the chief court administrator (or their authorized representatives) acting in an official capacity. It does not include a consumer collection agency as defined in chapter 669 of the General Statutes, or an individual acting under a power of attorney.
Wherever this chapter uses the word “plaintiff,” that includes a “representative” as just defined, unless the rule says otherwise. The rule also flatly prohibits anyone who is not an attorney at law from receiving a fee for representing a party in small claims court.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can act as a representative in Connecticut small claims court?
Section 24-6 lists an attorney at law, a partner acting for a partnership, a joint plaintiff acting for all joint plaintiffs, a corporate officer or manager, an employee of an unincorporated business, and certain state officials acting in an official capacity.
Can a collection agency represent someone in small claims court?
No. Section 24-6 expressly excludes a consumer collection agency as defined in chapter 669 of the General Statutes from the definition of representative.
Can someone with a power of attorney represent me in small claims court?
No. Section 24-6 excludes an individual acting under a power of attorney from the definition of representative.
Can a non-lawyer charge me to represent me in small claims court?
No. Section 24-6 prohibits anyone who is not an attorney at law from receiving a fee for representing a party.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 24-6). 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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