Section 25-14.—Waiver and Subject Matter Jurisdiction

Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026

In one sentenceThis section makes subject matter jurisdiction unwaivable and requires the court to dismiss whenever it finds that it lacks it.

Full Text of Section 25-14

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Any claim of lack of jurisdiction over the subject matter cannot be waived; and whenever it is found after suggestion of the parties or otherwise that the court lacks jurisdiction of the subject matter, the judicial authority shall dismiss the action.

End

Amendment History

(P.B. 1998.)

Plain-English Summary

Subject matter jurisdiction is the court’s power to hear the kind of case in front of it, and no party can give it to a court by agreement or lose the point by silence. This section says both halves: the claim cannot be waived, and whenever the court finds it lacks subject matter jurisdiction — whether a party suggests it or the court notices it itself — the judicial authority shall dismiss the action.

That is why subject matter jurisdiction is absent from Section 25-12’s waiver list. It can be raised at any time, by anyone, including for the first time on appeal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can lack of subject matter jurisdiction be waived in Connecticut?

No. Any claim of lack of jurisdiction over the subject matter cannot be waived.

What must the court do if it lacks subject matter jurisdiction?

Whenever it is found, after suggestion of the parties or otherwise, that the court lacks jurisdiction of the subject matter, the judicial authority shall dismiss the action.

Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 25-14). 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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