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Section 9-17.Unsatisfied Judgment against One Defendant

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

In one sentenceWhen a plaintiff has the option to sue several potentially liable people together or separately, getting an unsatisfied judgment against one of them does not block a later suit against another.

Full Text of Section 9-17

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Where the plaintiff may at his or her option join several persons as defendants, or sue them separately, judgment without satisfaction against one shall not bar a suit against another.
End

Amendment History

(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 97.)

Plain-English Summary

This rule protects a plaintiff who has a choice of defendants. Where the plaintiff may, at their option, join several persons as defendants or sue them separately, the rule addresses what happens if the first suit does not fully pay off.

A judgment obtained against one defendant, without satisfaction, does not bar the plaintiff from later suing another defendant on the same underlying claim.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sue a second defendant if my judgment against the first was not paid?

Yes. Judgment without satisfaction against one defendant shall not bar a suit against another, where the plaintiff had the option to join or sue them separately.

Does this rule require the defendants to have been sued together first?

No. It applies where the plaintiff may at his or her option join several persons as defendants or sue them separately, covering either approach.

Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 9-17). 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: unsatisfied judgment sue another defendantsuing defendants separately CTjudgment without satisfaction bar later suitmultiple potentially liable defendants option