Section 25-33.Judicial Appointment of Expert Witnesses
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceThis section lets the court appoint its own expert witnesses, on notice and only with the expert’s consent, and requires the expert to report findings to the parties and be subject to cross-examination.
Full Text of Section 25-33
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Whenever the judicial authority deems it necessary, it may appoint any expert witnesses of its own selection. The judicial authority shall give notice of its intention to appoint such expert, and give the parties an opportunity to be heard concerning such appointment. An expert witness shall not be appointed by the judicial authority unless the expert consents to act. An expert witness so appointed shall be informed of his or her duties by the judicial authority in writing, a copy of which shall be filed with the clerk, or the witness shall be informed of his or her duties at a conference in which the parties shall have an opportunity to participate. Such expert witness shall advise the parties of his or her findings, if any, and may thereafter be called to testify by the judicial authority or by any party and shall be subject to cross-examination by each party. The judicial authority may determine the reasonable compensation for such witness and direct payment out of such funds as may be provided by law or by the parties or any of them as the judicial authority may direct. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the parties from retaining their own expert witnesses.
End
Amendment History
(P.B. 1998.) (Amended June 13, 2014, to take effect Jan. 1, 2015.)
Plain-English Summary
Where the judicial authority deems it necessary, it may appoint expert witnesses of its own selection. The section then surrounds that power with safeguards.
The court gives notice of its intention to appoint and gives the parties an opportunity to be heard about it. No expert is appointed unless the expert consents to act. The expert is informed of their duties in writing, a copy of which is filed with the clerk, or at a conference the parties may take part in.
The expert advises the parties of any findings, may then be called to testify by the court or any party, and is subject to cross-examination by each party. A court-appointed expert is a witness, not an adviser in chambers.
The court may fix reasonable compensation and direct payment out of funds provided by law or by the parties as it directs. And nothing here stops the parties retaining their own experts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Connecticut judge appoint an expert in a family case?
Yes, whenever the judicial authority deems it necessary, after giving notice of its intention and an opportunity to be heard, and only if the expert consents to act.
Can I cross-examine a court-appointed expert?
Yes. The expert advises the parties of any findings, may be called to testify by the court or any party, and is subject to cross-examination by each party.
Can I still hire my own expert?
Yes. Nothing in the section prohibits the parties from retaining their own expert witnesses.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 25-33). 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
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