Section 5-10.Sanctions for Counsel’s Failure To Appear

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

In one sentenceThis rule warns that counsel who miss a scheduled hearing or trial, seek a continuance without cause, or otherwise cause needless delay can face sanctions under state law.

Full Text of Section 5-10

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Counsel who fails to appear on a scheduled date for any hearing or trial or who requests a continuance without cause or in any other way delays a case unnecessarily will be subject to sanctions pursuant to General Statutes § 51-84.

Amendment History

(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 983.)

Plain-English Summary

Section 5-10 addresses attorney conduct that slows down a case. It covers three situations: failing to appear on a scheduled hearing or trial date, requesting a continuance without cause, and delaying a case unnecessarily in any other way. Counsel who do any of these are subject to sanctions under General Statutes § 51-84.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if my attorney misses a scheduled trial date?

Counsel who fails to appear on a scheduled hearing or trial date is subject to sanctions under General Statutes § 51-84.

Can an attorney be sanctioned for asking for a continuance?

Yes, if the continuance is requested without cause. A continuance sought for a valid reason is not what this rule targets.

Does this rule cover other kinds of delay besides missed hearings?

Yes. It also applies when counsel delays a case unnecessarily in any other way, not just by missing a date or seeking an unwarranted continuance.

Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 5-10). 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: sanctions for missing court dateattorney failure to appear penaltycontinuance without cause sanctionsunnecessary delay of case sanctions Connecticut