Unless otherwise provided by rule, the forms of legal process for commencement of civil actions may be as follows:

Terms Used In Connecticut General Statutes 52-45b

  • Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
  • Attachment: A procedure by which a person's property is seized to pay judgments levied by the court.
  • Personal property: All property that is not real property.
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
  • Prosecute: To charge someone with a crime. A prosecutor tries a criminal case on behalf of the government.
  • Summons: Another word for subpoena used by the criminal justice system.
  • Writ: A formal written command, issued from the court, requiring the performance of a specific act.

(1) Summons for appearance before the Superior Court.

To any proper officer:

By authority of the state of Connecticut, you are hereby commanded to summon A.B. of …. (list address or last known address) to appear before the superior court for the judicial district of …. on the …. Tuesday of …., 20.., the appearance not to be in person but to be made by A.B. or his attorney by filing a written statement of appearance with the clerk of the court whose address is …., (include street number and town) on or before the second day following the return date then and there to answer to C.D. of …. in a civil action, in which the plaintiff complains and says: ….

I, J.W., the subscribing authority, hereby certify that I have personal knowledge as to the financial responsibility of the plaintiff, and deem it sufficient; or, E.F. of …. is recognized in $…. to prosecute, etc.

Of this writ with your actions thereon make due return.

Dated at …. the …. day of …., 20..

J.W., Commissioner of the Superior Court.

(2) Writ of attachment before the Superior Court.

To any proper officer:

By authority of the state of Connecticut, you are hereby commanded to attach to the value of …. dollars the real or personal property of A.B. of …. (list address or last known address) and him summon to appear before the superior court for the judicial district of …. on the …. Tuesday of …., 20.., the appearance not to be in person but to be made by A.B. or his attorney by filing a written statement of appearance with the clerk of the court whose address is …., (including street number and town) on or before the second day following the return date then and there to answer to C.D. of …. in a civil action, in which the plaintiff complains and says: ….

I, J.W., the subscribing authority, hereby certify that I have personal knowledge as to the financial responsibility of the plaintiff, and deem it sufficient; or, E.F. of …. is recognized in $…. to prosecute, etc.

Of this writ with your actions thereon make due return.

Dated at …. this …. day of …., 20..

J.W., Commissioner of the Superior Court.