Section 15-1.Order of Trial

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

In one sentenceThis rule lets the court try issues separately and requires legal issues to be decided before factual issues, and non-jury issues to be tried before jury issues, unless the court orders otherwise.

Full Text of Section 15-1

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In all cases, whether entered upon the docket as jury cases or court cases, the judicial authority may order that one or more of the issues joined be tried before the others. Where the pleadings in an action present issues both of law and of fact, the issues of law must be tried first, unless the judicial authority otherwise directs. If some, but not all, of the issues in a cause are put to the jury, the remaining issue or issues shall be tried first, unless the judicial authority otherwise directs. (See General Statutes § 52-205 and annotations.)

End

Amendment History

(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 283.)

Plain-English Summary

In any case, whether it is docketed as a jury case or a court case, the judicial authority may order that one or more of the issues in dispute be tried before the others. This gives the court flexibility to sequence the trial of separate issues.

Where the pleadings raise both issues of law and issues of fact, the issues of law must be tried first, unless the judicial authority directs otherwise. And if only some of the issues in a case have been put to the jury, the remaining issue or issues must be tried first, unless the judicial authority directs otherwise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the court have to try legal issues before factual issues?

Yes, when a case presents both issues of law and issues of fact, the issues of law must be tried first, unless the judicial authority directs a different order.

What happens when only some issues in a case go to the jury?

The issues that were not put to the jury must be tried first, unless the judicial authority orders a different sequence.

Can a judge decide to try one issue before others in general?

Yes, in any case, jury or court, the judicial authority may order that one or more issues be tried before the rest.

Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 15-1). 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

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