(a) Whenever there are two or more separate actions which should be tried together, the judicial authority may, upon the motion of any party or upon its own motion, order that the actions be consolidated for trial.
Section 9-5.—Consolidation of Actions
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceThe court may consolidate two or more separate actions for trial when they should be tried together, but each case's file stays separate and any motion to consolidate must be filed and served in all the affected cases.
Full Text of Section 9-5
(b) If a party seeks consolidation, the motion to consolidate shall be filed in all of the court files proposed to be consolidated, shall include the docket number and judicial district of each of the cases, and shall contain a certification specifically stating that the motion was served in accordance with Sections 10-12 through 10-17 on all parties to such actions. The certification shall specifically recite the name and address of each counsel and self-represented party served, the date of such service and the name and docket number of the case in which that person has appeared. The moving party shall give reasonable notice to all such parties of the date on which the motion will be heard on short calendar. The judicial authority shall not consider the motion unless it is satisfied that such notice was given.
(c) The court files in any actions consolidated pursuant to this section shall be maintained as separate files and all documents submitted by counsel or the parties shall bear only the docket number and case title of the file in which it is to be filed.
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 84A.) (Amended June 29, 1998, to take effect Jan. 1, 1999.)
Plain-English Summary
Section 9-5 lets the judicial authority consolidate separate actions for trial whenever they should be tried together, either on a party’s motion or on the court’s own motion. A party who wants consolidation must file the motion in every court file proposed for consolidation, listing the docket number and judicial district of each case, and must certify that the motion was served on all parties in those actions under Sections 10-12 through 10-17, including the name, address, and service date for each counsel or self-represented party served.
The moving party must give reasonable notice of the short calendar hearing date to all those parties, and the judicial authority will not consider the motion unless satisfied that this notice was given. Even after consolidation, the court files in each action remain separate, and every document filed must carry only the docket number and case title of the file it belongs to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the court consolidate cases on its own, without a motion?
Yes. The judicial authority may order consolidation either on a party’s motion or on its own motion whenever separate actions should be tried together.
Where must a motion to consolidate be filed?
It must be filed in all of the court files proposed for consolidation, listing the docket number and judicial district of each case.
Do consolidated cases become one combined file?
No. The court files in consolidated actions are maintained as separate files, and documents filed must bear only the docket number and case title of the specific file they belong to.
What notice is required before a consolidation motion can be heard?
The moving party must certify that the motion was served on all parties in every affected action and give those parties reasonable notice of the short calendar hearing date; the court will not consider the motion without that notice.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 9-5). 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: consolidating cases Connecticutmotion to consolidate actionscombining lawsuits for trial CTseparate case files after consolidationcertification of service consolidation motion