Section 25-53.Reference of Family Matters

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

In one sentenceThis section lets the court refer a family matter to a judge trial referee who was a judge of the referring court, for all further proceedings and judgment, while allowing the referring court to keep pendente lite and contempt matters.

Full Text of Section 25-53

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In any family matter the court may, upon its own motion or upon motion of a party, refer any matter for hearing and decision to a judge trial referee who shall have been a judge of the referring court. Such matters shall be deemed to have been referred for all further proceedings and judgment, including matters pertaining to any appeal therefrom, except that the referring court may retain jurisdiction to hear and decide any pendente lite or contempt matters.

End

Amendment History

(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 458.) (Amended June 14, 2024, to take effect Jan. 1, 2025.)

Plain-English Summary

In any family matter, on its own motion or a party’s, the court may refer a matter for hearing and decision to a judge trial referee who has been a judge of the referring court.

The reference is broad by default: such matters are deemed referred for all further proceedings and judgment, including matters pertaining to any appeal. The referring court may, however, retain jurisdiction to hear and decide pendente lite or contempt matters — so day-to-day enforcement can stay where the case began while the referee tries the case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a Connecticut family case be referred to a judge trial referee?

Yes, on the court’s own motion or a party’s, to a referee who has been a judge of the referring court.

What does the referral cover?

All further proceedings and judgment, including matters pertaining to any appeal, except that the referring court may retain jurisdiction over pendente lite or contempt matters.

Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 25-53). 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: judge trial referee family matter ConnecticutPractice Book section 25-53reference of family case CT