(a) Self-represented litigants seeking to compel the attendance of necessary witnesses in connection with the hearing of any matter shall file an application to have the clerk of the court issue subpoenas for that purpose. The application shall include a summary of the expected testimony of each proposed witness so that the court may determine the relevance of the testimony. The clerk, after verifying the scheduling of the matter, shall present the application to the judge before whom the matter is scheduled for hearing, or the administrative judge or any judge designated by the administrative judge if the matter has not been scheduled before a specific judge, which judge shall review the application.
Section 7-19.Issuing Subpoenas for Witnesses on Behalf of Self-Represented Litigants
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceSelf-represented litigants who need the clerk to issue subpoenas for witnesses must apply with a summary of expected testimony, and a judge reviews the request either without notice to other parties or after giving them a chance to object.
Full Text of Section 7-19
(b) The reviewing judge may act on the application ex parte and may direct or deny the issuance of subpoenas as such judge deems warranted under the circumstances, keeping in mind the nature of the scheduled hearing and future opportunities for examination of witnesses, as may be appropriate. If an application is granted ex parte, in whole or in part, any party may file a motion for protective order or motion to quash, as appropriate. If an application is denied ex parte, in whole or in part, the applicant may request a hearing which shall be scheduled by the court. The reviewing judge may order that an application acted upon ex parte be placed in the official court file, whether or not a hearing is requested.
(c) If the reviewing judge does not act on the application ex parte, such judge shall direct that the application be placed in the official court file to allow any party to file an objection, which objection will be filed by a date to be set by the reviewing judge. Having provided an opportunity for any party to object, the reviewing judge may direct or deny the issuance of subpoenas as such judge deems warranted under the circumstances, keeping in mind the nature of the scheduled hearing and future opportunities for examination of witnesses, as may be appropriate.
(d) Any party or nonparty to whom a subpoena is directed pursuant to this rule may file a motion to quash or a motion for protective order as appropriate.
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 395A.) (Amended June 12, 2015, to take effect Jan. 1, 2016; amended June 24, 2016, to take effect Jan. 1, 2017; amended June 9, 2023, to take effect Jan. 1, 2024.)
Plain-English Summary
A self-represented litigant who wants to compel a witness to attend a hearing must file an application asking the clerk to issue subpoenas. The application must summarize each proposed witness’s expected testimony so the court can weigh its relevance. After confirming the matter is scheduled, the clerk sends the application to the judge handling the case, or to the administrative judge or a designee if no specific judge is assigned.
The reviewing judge may act on the application ex parte, granting or denying it in whole or in part based on the nature of the hearing and future chances to examine witnesses. If granted ex parte, any party may move for a protective order or to quash. If denied ex parte, the applicant may request a hearing. The judge may also order that an ex parte application be placed in the official court file regardless of whether a hearing is requested.
Instead of acting ex parte, the judge may direct that the application be placed in the court file so any party can object by a deadline the judge sets. After that opportunity to object, the judge decides whether to direct or deny the subpoenas. Any party or nonparty served with a subpoena under this rule may move to quash it or for a protective order.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a self-represented party get the court to issue a subpoena?
By filing an application with the clerk that includes a summary of each proposed witness’s expected testimony, which the clerk forwards to the reviewing judge.
Can the judge grant a subpoena application without notifying the other side?
Yes, the reviewing judge may act ex parte, though any party may then move for a protective order or to quash if the application was granted.
What can I do if my subpoena application is denied?
If it was denied ex parte, you may request a hearing, which the court will schedule.
Can someone served with a subpoena under this rule fight it?
Yes, any party or nonparty served with such a subpoena may file a motion to quash or a motion for protective order.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 7-19). 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: self-represented party subpoena requestpro se witness subpoena Connecticutmotion to quash subpoena CTclerk issue subpoena application