The files in all civil, family and juvenile actions, including summary process and small claims, which, before a final judgment has been rendered on the issues, have been terminated by the filing of a withdrawal or by a judgment of dismissal or nonsuit when the issues have not been resolved on the merits or upon motion by any party or the court, or in which judgment for money damages only has been rendered and a full satisfaction of such judgment has been filed, may be destroyed upon the expiration of one year after such termination or the rendition of such judgment.
Section 7-10.Retention and Destruction of Files and Records; Withdrawals, Dismissals, Satisfactions of Judgment
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceFiles in civil, family, and juvenile cases that ended without a judgment on the merits — through withdrawal, dismissal, nonsuit, or a fully satisfied money judgment — may be destroyed one year after that termination or judgment.
Full Text of Section 7-10
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 403B.) (Amended June 29, 1998, to take effect Jan. 1, 1999.)
Plain-English Summary
Not every case ends with a judgment resolving the issues. This section covers files in civil, family, and juvenile actions, including summary process and small claims, that were terminated before a final judgment on the merits — by a filed withdrawal, or by a judgment of dismissal or nonsuit that did not resolve the issues, whether on motion of a party or the court.
It also covers cases where the only judgment was for money damages and a full satisfaction of that judgment has been filed. In either situation, the file may be destroyed once one year has passed after the termination or the rendition of the judgment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long after a case is withdrawn can the file be destroyed?
The file may be destroyed upon the expiration of one year after the withdrawal was filed.
Does this rule apply to cases dismissed for reasons other than the merits?
Yes, it covers judgments of dismissal or nonsuit rendered when the issues were not resolved on the merits.
What about a case where the judgment has been fully paid?
If the judgment was for money damages only and a full satisfaction has been filed, the file may be destroyed one year after the judgment was rendered.
Does this cover small claims and summary process files?
Yes, the section applies to civil, family, and juvenile actions, including summary process and small claims cases.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 7-10). 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: destruction of withdrawn case files CThow long are dismissed case files keptretention period after nonsuitsatisfaction of judgment file destructionone year file retention Connecticut