(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection
Section 3-3.Form and Signing of Appearance
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceSets the required form, content, and signature for every appearance filed in a case, with a separate form and extra content rules for limited appearances tied to a single event or proceeding.
Full Text of Section 3-3
(b) , each appearance shall: (1) be filed on Judicial Branch form JD-CL-12; (2) include the name and number of the case, the name of the court location to which it is returnable and the date; (3) be legibly signed by the individual preparing the appearance with the individual’s own name; and (4) state the party or parties for whom the appearance is being entered and the official (with position or department, if desired), firm, professional corporation or individual whose appearance is being entered, together with the juris number assigned thereto, if any, the mailing address, telephone number and email address. (b) Each limited appearance pursuant to Section 3-8 (b) shall: (1) be filed on Judicial Branch form JD-CL-121; (2) include the name and number of the case, the name of the court location to which it is returnable and the date; (3) be legibly signed by the individual preparing the appearance with the individual’s own name; and (4) state the party or parties for whom the appearance is being entered and the official (with position or department, if desired), firm, professional corporation or individual whose appearance is being entered, together with the juris number assigned thereto, if any, the mailing address, telephone number and email address; (5) define the proceeding or event for which the lawyer is appearing; and (6) state that the attorney named on the limited appearance is available for service of process only for those matters described on the limited appearance. All pleadings, motions, or other documents served on the limited appearance attorney shall also be served in the same manner on the party for whom the limited appearance was filed. For all other matters, service must be made on the party instead of the attorney who filed the limited appearance, unless otherwise ordered by court.
(c) This section does not apply to appearances entered pursuant to Section 3-1. (P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 64 (b).)
Amendment History
(Amended June 22, 2009, to take effect Jan. 1, 2010; amended June 21, 2010, to take effect Jan. 1, 2011; amended June 20, 2011, to take effect Jan. 1, 2012; amended June 14, 2013, to take effect Oct. 1, 2013; amended June 11, 2021, to take effect Jan. 1, 2022.)
Plain-English Summary
Section 3-3 spells out what an appearance has to look like before the clerk will accept it. A standard appearance goes on Judicial Branch form JD-CL-12. It has to name and number the case, name the court location and return date, and be legibly signed by the person who prepared it, using that person’s own name. It also has to say which party the appearance is for and identify the official, firm, professional corporation, or individual entering it, along with any juris number, mailing address, telephone number, and email address.
Limited appearances filed under Section 3-8 (b) follow a stricter version of the same rule. They use a different form, JD-CL-121, and carry the same case, court, date, and signature requirements as a standard appearance. But a limited appearance must also define the specific proceeding or event the attorney is appearing for and state that the attorney is available for service of process only for the matters described in that limited appearance. Anything served on the limited-appearance attorney also has to be served on the party in the same manner; for everything else, service goes to the party directly rather than the attorney, unless the court orders otherwise. None of these form requirements apply to appearances entered under Section 3-1.
Frequently Asked Questions
What form is used to file a standard appearance in Connecticut?
A standard appearance is filed on Judicial Branch form JD-CL-12, and it must include the case name and number, the court location, the date, and a legible signature in the preparer’s own name.
What form is used for a limited appearance?
A limited appearance filed under Section 3-8 (b) uses Judicial Branch form JD-CL-121, which requires everything a standard appearance requires plus a description of the specific proceeding or event the attorney is appearing for.
Who gets served with documents when a limited appearance is on file?
Anything served on the limited-appearance attorney must also be served the same way on the party. For matters outside the limited appearance’s scope, service goes to the party directly unless the court orders otherwise.
Does Section 3-3 apply to every kind of appearance?
No. It does not apply to appearances entered under Section 3-1.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 3-3). 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: JD-CL-12 requirementshow to fill out a Connecticut appearance formlimited appearance form requirements CTsigning an appearance Connecticutwhat goes on an appearance form