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Disclaimer: The information on this web
page is provided as a service and a convenience by the Connecticut Judicial
Branch. It is not intended as legal advice to any person. If you have
questions about the use of these forms, your legal rights, or particular
issues in your case, it is strongly recommended that you talk to an
attorney.
Due to the changing nature of the law, the forms and
information found on this web site will change from time to time. It is up
to you to follow the current procedures and to file the correct, up-to-date
forms. Each court location has a Clerk's Office and many locations also have
a Court Service Center that
can give you help and information about court procedures. Please note,
however, that Clerk's Office and Court Service Center personnel cannot
provide you with legal advice.
Instructions
These instructions are to help you represent yourself in responding to a
civil lawsuit. Legal words and court documents can be confusing. The
more you know about what forms you will need to fill out in order to
respond to a civil lawsuit the more comfortable you will be when you
come to court. These instructions will give you some useful information
and instructions on completing the required forms.
Every case is
different and these instructions are to be used as a guide only; if you
think you need more help you may want to get an attorney. You can also
go to a
Court Service Center or
contact the
Connecticut Network for
Legal Aid
or find additional information at the
Law Libraries. Court Staff
can help you understand the legal process, and while they may give you
procedural information, they cannot give you legal advice.
To respond to a Civil Lawsuit you will need to fill out the following 2 forms:
By filing an Appearance form you are telling
the court that you are acting as your own attorney and giving the court your
mailing address. Once you file an Appearance, all court notices and
papers filed about your case that are filed after your Appearance will be
sent to the address on your Appearance.
The Appearance form (JD-CL-12)
should be filed on or within two days after the date shown in the box marked “Return Date” on the top
right corner of the Summons. The Return Date is the date that starts the
countdown for things taking place in the case. You must fill out the
Appearance form in order to receive any court notices. You must provide your
current correct mailing address. The court and the other parties will use
the address you provide to send notices and other correspondence to you.
In all cases except foreclosure actions, the deadline to file the Answer to
file the Answer Complaint (JD-CV-106) is within 30 days of the “Return Date” shown in the
box on the top right corner of the Summons. In foreclosure actions, the
deadline is within 15 days of the Return Date. (There are some exceptions to
these deadlines that are in sections 10-6 and 10-8 of the Connecticut
Practice Book. You may want to look at these before you file your answer.)
You can use the Answer to Complaint (JD-CV-106) to respond to the numbered
allegations in the Complaint.
If you do not file the Appearance form, a
default for failure to appear could be entered against you. If you file the
Appearance form, but do not file an Answer to the complaint, a default for
failure to plead could be entered against you.
For Help - You may go to the
Court Service Center for help completing these or any other forms. Any additional procedural questions that you might have may also be directed to the staff of the Court Service Center.
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