Section 25-6A.Appearance by Self-Represented Party in Addition to Appearance of Attorney
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceThis section lets a party file a self-represented appearance alongside an attorney’s appearance, and then sets out what happens when that party files something the attorney has not signed.
(a)A party may file an appearance as a self-represented party without prior approval of the court even though there is an existing appearance of one or more attorneys on file for that party. For purposes of this section, a ‘‘party with dual representation’’ is a party for whom one or more attorneys have current appearances on file and who also has a current appearance on file as a self-represented party.
(b)Pursuant to Section 4-2, any pleading or other paper filed by or on behalf of a party with dual representation must be signed by an attorney of record for the party.
(c)If a party with dual representation files a motion that is not signed by an attorney of record, the court may, upon its own motion or upon the motion of any party, order that proceedings on the motion be stayed until an attorney of record adopts said motion as if it were signed by that attorney. The attorney may adopt the motion either by filing a notice of such adoption with the court or by making an oral statement to that effect in court on the record. Alternatively, if the party with dual representation affirms to the court that no attorney is actively representing the party with respect to any matters in the case in which the motion was filed, the court may in its discretion order that proceedings on the motion be stayed until the party with dual representation files a new appearance as a self-represented party in lieu of the appearances of any and all attorneys of record for the party.
(d)Unless and until a motion filed by a party with dual representation without the signature of the party’s attorney is adopted by the attorney, disposed of, or withdrawn:
(1)The party with dual representation shall be solely responsible for the prosecution or litigation of the motion; and
(2)An attorney of record for any other party in the case may communicate directly with the party with dual representation, but only with respect to the subject matter of the motion.
(e)If two motions of a party with dual representation are scheduled for hearing at the same time, with one or more having been signed or adopted by the party’s attorney and one or more not having been so signed or adopted, the court in its discretion may determine the most appropriate method of proceeding with the hearing of the multiple motions.
(f)If a party with dual representation files a pleading or paper, other than a motion, which is not signed by the party’s attorney, the court may treat such filing in the same manner as it may treat a motion under this section or in such other manner as in its discretion it deems appropriate under the circumstances.
End
Amendment History
(Adopted June 11, 2021, to take effect Jan. 1, 2022.)
Rules Committee Commentary
COMMENTARY—2022: The above rule is intended to clarify the procedures to be followed when parties in family matters file appearances on their own behalf even though they may also have, or intend to have, an attorney who has filed an appearance. The rule recognizes that filing a self-representation appearance may be desirable in order to receive notices from the court. However, the rule is not intended to supersede the requirement of Section 4-2 that a pleading or other paper filed on behalf of a party who is represented by an attorney be signed by the attorney. The rule also acknowledges the possibility that a party will nevertheless file a motion without the attorney’s signature. In that event, it is intended to provide guidance to the parties, attorneys, and the court about how to proceed. In exercising its discretion to stay proceedings on a motion filed by a party without the attorney’s signature, the court may consider any relevant circumstances, including, but not limited to, the emergency nature, if any, of the motion; any time limits imposed by statute or rule on the court’s hearing on the motion; the pendency of another motion filed on behalf of the party which has been signed or adopted by the party’s attorney, or by another party, which concerns the same facts or legal issues; and the likelihood that action by the court on the motion that has not been signed or adopted by the attorney will substantially impact the adjudication of other issues in the case.
Plain-English Summary
A party may file an appearance as a self-represented party without the court’s prior approval even though one or more attorneys already have appearances on file. The section calls such a person a “party with dual representation.”
The filing rule is unchanged: any pleading or paper filed by or for a party with dual representation must be signed by an attorney of record. What this section adds is what the court may do when that does not happen.
If such a party files a motion the attorney has not signed, the court may stay proceedings on it — on its own motion or a party’s — until an attorney of record adopts the motion, which the attorney may do by filing a notice or by saying so on the record in court. Alternatively, if the party affirms that no attorney is actively representing them on the matters the motion concerns, the court may stay the motion until the party files a new self-represented appearance in place of the attorneys’ appearances.
While an unsigned motion is neither adopted, disposed of, nor withdrawn, two things follow: the party is solely responsible for prosecuting it, and an attorney for any other party may communicate directly with them, but only about that motion’s subject matter. Where two motions are set for the same hearing and only some are signed or adopted, the court decides how best to proceed. A pleading or paper other than a motion may be treated the same way, or however the court thinks appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file papers myself in Connecticut if I already have a lawyer?
You may file an appearance as a self-represented party without prior approval even though an attorney has appeared for you, but any pleading or paper filed on your behalf must still be signed by an attorney of record.
What happens to a motion my attorney did not sign?
The court may stay proceedings on it until an attorney of record adopts it, by notice or on the record, or until you file a new self-represented appearance in place of your attorneys’ appearances.
Can the other side’s lawyer contact me directly?
While your unsigned motion is pending and unadopted, an attorney of record for any other party may communicate directly with you, but only with respect to the subject matter of that motion.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 25-6A). 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:dual representation Connecticut family courtPractice Book section 25-6Aself-represented appearance with attorney CTfiling a motion without my lawyer Connecticut
COMMENTARY—2022: The above rule is intended to clarify the procedures to be followed when parties in family matters file appearances on their own behalf even though they may also have, or intend to have, an attorney who has filed an appearance. The rule recognizes that filing a self-representation appearance may be desirable in order to receive notices from the court. However, the rule is not intended to supersede the requirement of Section 4-2 that a pleading or other paper filed on behalf of a party who is represented by an attorney be signed by the attorney. The rule also acknowledges the possibility that a party will nevertheless file a motion without the attorney’s signature. In that event, it is intended to provide guidance to the parties, attorneys, and the court about how to proceed. In exercising its discretion to stay proceedings on a motion filed by a party without the attorney’s signature, the court may consider any relevant circumstances, including, but not limited to, the emergency nature, if any, of the motion; any time limits imposed by statute or rule on the court’s hearing on the motion; the pendency of another motion filed on behalf of the party which has been signed or adopted by the party’s attorney, or by another party, which concerns the same facts or legal issues; and the likelihood that action by the court on the motion that has not been signed or adopted by the attorney will substantially impact the adjudication of other issues in the case.