Section 8-1.Process

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

In one sentenceSets out what starts a Connecticut civil case: a signed writ of summons or attachment naming the parties, court, and appearance date, filed together with the plaintiff's complaint on the correct Judicial Branch form.

Full Text of Section 8-1

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(a) Process in civil actions shall be a writ of summons or attachment, describing the parties, the court to which it is returnable and the time and place of appearance, and shall be accompanied by the plaintiff’s complaint. Such writ may run into any judicial district or geographical area and shall be signed by a Commissioner of the Superior Court or a judge or clerk of the court to which it is returnable. Except in those actions and proceedings indicated below, the writ of summons shall be on a form substantially in compliance with the following Judicial Branch forms prescribed by the chief court administrator: Form JD-FM-3 in family actions, Form JD-HM-32 in summary process actions, and Form JD-CV-1 in other civil actions, as such forms shall from time to time be amended. Any person proceeding without the assistance of counsel shall sign the complaint and present the complaint and proposed writ of summons to the clerk; the clerk shall review the proposed writ of summons and, unless it is defective as to form, shall sign it.

(b) For administrative appeals brought pursuant to General Statutes § 4-183 et seq., process and service of process shall be made in accordance with General Statutes § 4-183 (c) and Practice Book Section 14-7A (a).

(1) Applications for change of name.

(2) Proceedings pertaining to arbitration.

(3) Probate appeals.

(4) Administrative appeals.

(5) Verified petitions to adjudicate parentage.

(6) Verified petitions for support orders.

(7) Any actions or proceedings in which an attachment, garnishment or replevy is sought.

(8) Applications for custody.

(9) Applications for visitation.

(d) A plaintiff may, before service on a defendant, alter printed forms JD-FM-3, JD-HM-32, and JD-CV-1 in order to make them conform to any relevant amendments to the rules of practice or statutes.

End

Amendment History

(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 49.) (Amended June 28, 1999, to take effect Jan. 1, 2000; amended June 21, 2004, to take effect Jan. 1, 2005; amended June 14, 2013, to take effect Jan. 1, 2014; amended June 14, 2024, to take effect Jan. 1, 2025.)

Plain-English Summary

Section 8-1 defines process in a Connecticut civil action as a writ of summons or attachment. The writ must describe the parties, name the court to which it's returnable, and state the time and place of appearance. It travels with the plaintiff's complaint and must be signed by a Commissioner of the Superior Court or by a judge or clerk of the court to which it's returnable. Most cases use one of three prescribed forms — JD-FM-3 for family actions, JD-HM-32 for summary process, and JD-CV-1 for other civil actions — though the rule lists exceptions such as name changes, arbitration proceedings, probate appeals, administrative appeals, parentage and support petitions, custody and visitation applications, and any case seeking attachment, garnishment, or replevy.

A self-represented person who prepares their own complaint and proposed writ must sign the complaint and bring both to the clerk, who reviews the writ and signs it unless it's defective in form. Administrative appeals under General Statutes § 4-183 follow separate process and service rules. Before serving a defendant, a plaintiff may alter the printed forms to bring them into line with amendments to the rules or statutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What has to appear on a Connecticut civil writ?

The writ must describe the parties, identify the court to which it's returnable, and state the time and place for the defendant to appear, and it must be signed by a Commissioner of the Superior Court or by a judge or clerk of that court.

Which form do I use to start a civil case in Connecticut?

Most civil actions use Form JD-CV-1, family actions use Form JD-FM-3, and summary process (eviction) actions use Form JD-HM-32, unless the case falls into one of the listed exceptions like arbitration, probate appeals, or attachment proceedings.

Can I file my own writ of summons without a lawyer?

Yes. A self-represented person signs the complaint, then presents the complaint and proposed writ to the clerk, who reviews it and signs it unless the writ is defective in form.

Does the complaint have to be filed with the writ?

Yes, the writ must be accompanied by the plaintiff's complaint.

Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 8-1). 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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