The Small Claims Process

Transcription

1 The Small Claims Process State of Connecticut Judicial Branch Superior Court

2 This pamphlet, prepared by the Connecticut Judicial Branch, is based upon the Connecticut General Statutes and Superior Court Rules of Practice in effect at the time of publication. It is issued as a public service and is not intended as a substitute for obtaining legal advice from a Connecticut attorney. May, 2005

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction... 1 The Plaintiff s Case... 2 The Defendant s Case... 6 Transfer of Cases to the Regular Docket... 8 What to Do While Waiting for a Trial Date... 9 The Trial Process Collecting the Judgment Satisfaction of Judgment Examination of Judgment Debtor Reminder Disclaimer Appendix Ι. Small Claims Facilities, Location by Town ΙΙ. Small Claims Area, Locations & Telephone Numbers ΙΙΙ. Superior Court Housing Sessions by District IV. Fees Payable V. Forms... 28

4 This informational pamphlet has been developed to assist those involved in the small claims process, either as plaintiffs or as defendants. Small claims procedures are described in this pamphlet in clear, non-legal language. Questions about the pamphlet and about the small claims process may be answered by the personnel in the small claims offices. All forms pertaining to the small claims process are available online at or at any small claims clerk s office. The Connecticut Judicial Branch is committed to the prompt and fair resolution of small claims matters. This pamphlet and the personnel in the small claims offices help support our ongoing effort to provide quality services to the people of the State of Connecticut.

5 INTRODUCTION What is Small Claims Court? The Small Claims Court is a part of Connecticut s court system where a person can sue for up to $ in money damages only. The court does not hear cases involving matters of libel and slander. Small claims cases are generally presided over by magistrates or approved small claims commissioners. Please note that if judgment is entered against you for money damages (plaintiff or defendant), your credit may be affected. How is the Small Claims session different from other court sessions? The Small Claims session has simpler rules than the regular civil session. Small Claims forms are specifically designed to be understood without legal training. The rules and forms are designed to allow a plaintiff (the person suing) to sue a defendant (the person being sued) without the assistance of an attorney. These rules do not apply to non-corporate defendants who neither reside in Connecticut nor own real or personal property in the state. Therefore, this class of defendants may not be sued in the Small Claims session. Do I need an attorney? Every aspect of the Small Claims session has been designed to allow a person to handle his or her own case from start to finish. However, attorneys are not prohibited from appearing in the Small 1 This amount is set by state law and may change from time to time. You may contact your local small claims clerk s offices (see appendices in the back of this pamphlet) to determine the current amount. Effective October 1, 2005, the amount will increase to $

6 Claims session. If you are handling your own case all procedures for presenting evidence are your responsibility. The court and the clerk s office will help you through the various aspects of the process, but they can only assist to a limited degree and cannot give you legal advice. THE PLAINTIFF S CASE How do I file a suit? 1. Complete the Small Claims Writ and Notice of Suit (JD-CV- 40) form. It should be typed or printed legibly. The clerk s office will not accept your claim if any copies of the form are not legible. (See the sample Small Claims form in Appendix V.) If there are more than two plaintiffs or two defendants, list the additional parties on form JD-CV-67, Continuation of Parties. Be sure to provide the court with sufficient copies of the Small Claims Writ and Notice of Suit and the Continuation of Parties form. 2. If your claim is against a business, it is your responsibility to find out whether that business is a corporation, limited liability company or partnership. To find out if the business is incorporated and who the agent for service is, call the Secretary of the State, Commercial Recording Corporation Information, 30 Trinity Street, Hartford, CT at (860) or access the Secretary of State s website at (Commercial Recording Division). If the corporation is an out-of-state corporation, this information will be required by the officer who serves the small claims writ and notice of suit. (See What happens after I file the claim?) If the claim is against an in-state corporation, the clerk s office will make service by sending the claim to the named defendant corporation by first class mail. 2

7 If the business is not a corporation, you may obtain the name(s) of the owner(s) from the Town Clerk s office in the town where the company is located. 3. If you have a claim against an individual, you will be required to state, under oath, whether or not the person is in the military service and how you arrived at that knowledge. You can provide this information by stating where the defendant works or any other facts by which you personally know that the person is not in the military service, or you may state under oath that you are unable to determine whether or not the person is in the military service. 4. Attach any documents that relate to your claim, e.g., leases, invoices, statements, bills, etc. Please supply the court with sufficient copies for the court and all the defendants. SPECIAL NOTE: The name of the person or business you are suing must be its exact, correct legal name. If you make a mistake and list the wrong name, you may not get your money. You may not use abbreviations, initials, or nicknames of any person you are suing. Richard Jones cannot be sued as R. Jones or Dick Jones. Abbreviations and nicknames also may not be used for any business you are suing. If you leave out any part of any name, you may not get your money. SPECIAL NOTE: If you wait too long to file your suit, the statute of limitations may cause you to lose your case. Please refer to Connecticut General Statutes, Chapter 926, for information. The clerk s office cannot tell you what the applicable statute of limitations is. Where do I file the suit? Small Claims matters are filed in 22 court facilities. A list of these court locations may be found in the Appendices. To determine the 3

8 appropriate court for your claim, consult the listing in Appendix I for all claims except landlord-tenant matters, and Appendix III for landlord-tenant matters. If the claim does not involve a landlord-tenant matter, it must be filed in one of the following locations: (1) where you reside; (2) where the party you are suing resides or conducts business; or (3) where the transaction or injury occurred. If the claim is a landlordtenant matter, you must file in the court location where the premises are located. If the plaintiff is either a domestic corporation, United States corporation, a foreign corporation or a limited liability company, the claim must be filed in the location which serves the town in which the defendant resides or is doing business or where the transaction or injury occurred. You must return your completed Small Claims Writ and Notice of Suit form to the appropriate court with all copies, after having signed it under oath. If you are unable to have the claim form notarized, the clerk can take your oath in person. Do not sign the form until your oath is taken. You must also enclose your entry fee 2, which will be added to the amount of your judgment against the defendant if you win. Do not add the entry fee to the amount you are claiming. What happens after I file the claim? After you file a claim, the clerk assigns a date by which the defendant has to respond to your claim (this is called the answer date) and mails a copy of the claim to you and to the defendant. Do not appear in court on the answer date. If the defendant is an out-of-state corporation, service must be made in accordance with the general statutes. After filing the claim 2 See Appendix IV for a list of fees payable in Small Claims cases. 4

9 with the clerk s office, the documents will be returned to you with instructions for service by a state marshal. What happens if the claim is returned to the court undelivered? If the claim is returned undelivered to the court, it will be necessary for you to have the papers served on the defendant by a state marshal. To proceed with your claim, you must contact a state marshal to serve the claim on the defendant. You must pay the state marshal for his or her services, and the amount he or she charges you will be added to your judgment if you win your case. (A list of state marshals is posted on the Judicial Branch website at: The list may also be viewed at any clerk s office.) SPECIAL NOTE: If the defendant is not served within 120 days of the original answer date, your case may be subject to dismissal. What happens if the defendant files an answer? 1. If the defendant files an answer, the clerk will send you a copy. If a hearing is scheduled, you will also receive a notice of the date and time of the hearing. 2. If the defendant files an answer and counterclaim or setoff, the clerk s office will send you a copy of the defendant s answer and counterclaim or setoff, and a form which you must fill out and return to the clerk s office on or before the counterclaim/ setoff answer date noted on the form. A hearing will not be scheduled until you respond. You also have the option to file a motion to transfer the case to the regular docket of the superior court on or before the counter claim/setoff answer date. (See page 8 for more details on the transfer of cases to the regular docket.) 5

10 3. If the defendant admits the claim and suggests a payment amount and schedule, the information will be sent to you for consideration. If you reject the defendant s proposal or if the defendant does not propose a method of payment, a hearing may be scheduled. What happens if the defendant does not file an answer? Depending on the type of claim you have, the court may enter a default judgment against the defendant for the full amount of the claim plus costs or schedule the matter for a hearing in damages. The clerk s office will notify you if you have to appear in court to prove your claim. This decision is based on the type of claim and various papers or documents, if any, upon which your claim is based. If the party you are suing pays you in full 3 before the answer date/ hearing date, you should withdraw the action by filing a Withdrawal (JD-CV-70) or you may mail a letter requesting the withdrawal to the clerk s office, giving the docket number of your case, answer date or hearing date and the names of the parties. Send a copy of your letter or withdrawal to the defendant. THE DEFENDANT S CASE How do I answer the claim? 1. When you have received the notice of the small claims suit against you, and you wish to defend against it, you must file an answer. There is a specific form in your small claims notice for the answer. 3 Be sure that you have actually received payment (the check clears, etc.) before withdrawing the action. 6

11 An answer is your statement responding to the plaintiff s claim. If you are denying the plaintiff s claim, you should explain why you do not owe the money. This answer does not have to be in great detail because you will have an opportunity to explain your case at the trial. If you attach any documents as part of your answer, please supply sufficient copies for the court and all plaintiffs. 2. If you feel that the plaintiff owes you money, you may file a counterclaim to the suit by including in your answer the reasons why the plaintiff owes you money. Be specific as to the amount and the basis of your counterclaim and label it clearly on your answer as a counterclaim. If the amount of the counterclaim is more than the amount allowable in small claims, see Transfer of Cases to the Regular Docket on page 8 for more details. 3. The answer must be in writing and must be received by the small claims clerk s office at the court address shown on the small claims form on or before the answer date. 4. Even if you think you owe the plaintiff something, but you disagree with or are unsure about the amount, you must file an answer. This will give you a chance to come to court for a hearing to allow a magistrate to determine the amount you owe. 5. If you are sure that you owe the entire amount claimed but you want time to pay, you should file an answer stating the reasons why you need more time to pay. You may suggest a payment amount and schedule for such payments. This request will be sent to the plaintiff for approval. If the plaintiff does not accept your request, you may be required to come to court for a hearing on your request for additional time to pay. SPECIAL NOTE: Do not send payments to the court. 7

12 Will I have my trial on the answer date? No. Do not come to court for trial on the answer date. The clerk s office will notify you of the date and time of your trial. What happens if I do not file an answer? The court may enter a default judgment against you for the full amount of the claim plus costs or schedule the matter for a hearing in damages. You are not entitled to receive a notice of hearing if you do not respond to the claim. If the claim is returned to the court undelivered, the plaintiff must have the claim served on you by a state marshal. The additional cost of the marshal s service will be added to the amount of the judgment if the plaintiff wins the case. If you do not file an answer by the answer date, the court will assume that (1) you do not dispute the reasons why the plaintiff claims you owe the money and (2) you do not dispute the amount of money that the plaintiff claims. Therefore, the court is permitted to enter a default judgment against you. TRANSFER OF CASES TO THE REGULAR DOCKET A case entered on a small claims docket may be transferred to the regular docket of the superior court or to the regular housing docket. If the defendant, or the plaintiff in a case where the defendant has filed a counterclaim, wants the case transferred, he or she must file a motion to transfer the case to the regular docket, on or before the answer date, with a certification that the motion was served on each other party to the action. If a motion to open claiming lack of actual notice is granted, the motion to transfer with accompanying documents and fees must be filed within five days after the notice granting the motion to open was sent. 8

13 The motion to transfer must be accompanied by (1) a counterclaim in an amount greater than the jurisdiction of the small claims court; or (2) an affidavit stating that a good defense exists to the claim and setting forth with specificity the nature of the defense, or (3) an affidavit stating that the case has been properly claimed for trial by jury. If the court finds that one of these conditions applies, the motion to transfer the case to the regular docket will be granted without the need for a hearing. The party who has filed the motion must pay all necessary statutory fees 4 at the time the motion to transfer is filed, including any jury fees if a claim for trial is filed. WHAT TO DO WHILE YOU ARE WAITING FOR A TRIAL DATE Documentation The most important thing you must do before the trial date is to collect any and all documents that relate to your claim: invoices, letters, statements of account, estimates of damage, paid bills, leases, canceled checks, etc. Be sure to bring them with you when you come to court. Witnesses Sometimes a friend, relative or neighbor has observed what happened. You should be sure to bring this person to court with you. However, if the person is not willing to come to court with you, you may ask the clerk of the Small Claims session for a subpoena form. (See sample Subpoena form in Appendix V.) 4 As of the date of the printing of this booklet, the fee for the motion to transfer was $75.00 and the jury fee was $ However, these amounts can change periodically. Contact your local small claims clerk s office to determine the current amounts. 9

14 The clerk will review and, if appropriate, will sign the subpoena form you have completed. It may not be possible for you to compel the attendance of an out-of-state witness. You must have the subpoena served by a proper officer at least eighteen (18) hours before the hearing date. (There is a charge for this service, which you will have to pay the proper officer.) Outline Make a brief outline of your case for your own use. It is essential to remember that the judicial authority hearing the case was not present when the events of the case took place, so the court s view of the matter can only be based upon how it is presented at the trial. An orderly presentation of the facts, not opinions, will be most effective in proving your case. What if I need a postponement? The court calls these postponements continuances. If it is impossible for you to come to court on the day assigned, you should first call the other party or that party s attorney and explain why you want the case continued. 1. If the person you called agrees to have the case postponed, you must send a written request for continuance to the small claims clerk s office. A faxed request is permitted. 2. The request must include the reason for the continuance, when the notice was given and whether or not the party agreed. 3. Requests for continuance made prior to the scheduled hearing date shall be decided by the clerk. Requests for continuance made on the hearing date shall be decided by the judicial authority. The clerk will then set a new date for hearing and notify the parties. 10

15 4. If the other party objects to a postponement of the case you may still send in a written request for continuance. See #2 and #3 above. 5. You are to send copies of the request to all other parties. 6. Oral requests for continuance are permitted only in extraordinary circumstances. SPECIAL NOTE: Please check with the small claims office handling the matter for any local practices regarding continuances. THE TRIAL PROCESS What do I do on the day of the trial? 1. On the day you are scheduled to be in court, you should arrive at the courthouse before the scheduled time. You should find out in which courtroom small claims will be heard, and proceed to that courtroom. 2. When your name is called, state that you are ready to proceed to trial. 3. Your case will be assigned to a magistrate who will swear in all the witnesses. A magistrate is an attorney who is appointed to hear and determine matters concerning small claims. Also, at some locations, a number of attorneys have volunteered to act as commissioners (hearing officers) to assist the court in hearing small claims cases. These volunteer attorneys have been approved by the court and, if both parties agree, the case may be decided by a commissioner. 11

16 4. The court may request that you exchange documents with the other party before the court hearing. 5. Both parties will be given an opportunity to present their case and to cross-examine the other party s witnesses. How long will I be in court and when will I know the court s decision? This is very hard to predict because the size of the court docket varies significantly from court to court. Although the time spent at court varies a great deal, you should assume you will be there from one to four hours. Unless the court gives the decision from the bench, you will be advised of the decision by mail. Can I appeal if I lose the case? No. The judgments and decisions of the court are final and may not be appealed. See page 8 for more information about transferring the case to the regular docket if you want to preserve your right to appeal. COLLECTING THE JUDGMENT A judgment in small claims is valid for ten years; however, you may bring a lawsuit based on the judgment within fifteen years of the date of the original judgment. The most important thing to remember is that the court cannot collect the money for you. The court s purpose is to hear the case, make the decision, and give you the necessary permission to have its order enforced. 12

17 If a judgment is entered against an individual, the court may set an order for periodic (most often weekly) payments. 5 The Notice of Judgment will specify how much is to be paid to you each payment period and when the payments are to begin. If, for some reason, you feel the other party is able to make higher periodic payments and you have evidence of his or her wages, you may ask the court for an increase in the amount of the periodic payments. Note that if you are planning on asking for a wage execution (see page 14), you must have an order for periodic payments from the court. If a judgment is entered against a corporation, the court will enter judgment for the full amount. No order of periodic payments will be made. If you have any questions, ask the small claims clerk. What if the judgment debtor cannot pay the periodic payment ordered by the court? If the judgment debtor is not able to pay the periodic payment ordered by the court, that person may request that the court reduce the amount. The judgment debtor will be required to show his or her financial situation to the court before the amount will be reduced. What can I do if a default judgment enters against me or if I discover new evidence that was not available at trial? In these circumstances, a motion to open judgment may be filed. There is a fee for filing this motion. 6 You may obtain this form from the clerk s office or the Judicial Branch website at 5 As of the date of the printing of this booklet, the minimum weekly order of payments was $ However, this amount can change periodically. 6 As of the date of the printing of this booklet, the fee to file a motion to open was $

18 How do I collect my judgment if payment is not made voluntarily? If payment is not made according to the terms of the judgment, there are several ways to pursue collection of your judgment. These include obtaining an execution to attach wages, personal property, or accounts at financial institutions. You must have obtained an order for periodic payments on the judgment before you can obtain a wage execution. If you did not obtain such an order previously, you can request one from the court. If the judgment debtor fails to make these payments, you may request an execution. 1. A wage execution can be issued against an employed individual provided that person is not self-employed. You must find out if the debtor is employed and, if so, the place of employment. Neither the court nor the officer serving the execution can find this out for you. 2. A property execution permits the attachment of a person s personal property, not real property such as real estate, to satisfy the judgment. You must find out where the property is located. Neither the court nor the officer serving the execution can find this out for you. 3. Financial Institution executions permit the attachment of a person s non-exempt accounts at financial institutions. You must find out where the account is located. Neither the court nor the officer serving the execution can find this out for you. If you wish to seek an execution, a fee is required. 7 7 See Appendix IV for a list of fees payable in small claims cases. 14

19 Procedure for obtaining an execution: (a) Go to the small claims clerk s office to complete and file an application for an execution. (See samples of wage, bank and property executions appearing at the end of this pamphlet in Appendix V.) (b) To file an application, you will need all the information shown on the Notice of Judgment form, plus an accurate record of payments made (if any) by the debtor up to the time you seek the execution. (c) Once an execution is issued and returned to you, it is your responsibility to arrange for a state marshal or other proper officer to serve the execution and to provide the officer with the information he or she will need to be successful in recovering the money owed you. Such information may include the debtor s current address, bank, or employer. (A list of state marshals is posted on the Judicial Branch website at: The list may also be viewed at any clerk s office.) Can I collect the costs incurred in obtaining the judgment and postjudgment interest? Yes. Pursuant to the Connecticut General Statutes, the judgment creditor is entitled to collect all costs and statutory fees incurred in obtaining the judgment and postjudgment interest. Postjudgment interest continues to accrue until the debt is satisfied in full. If an execution is issued and served, the amount of postjudgment interest due will be calculated by the officer who served the execution. 15

20 Satisfaction of Judgment If the judgment is paid in full to the judgment creditor, he or she is required to file a written notice of satisfaction with the clerk of the court. Examination of Judgment Debtor If an execution has been returned unsatisfied or partially satisfied, or if post-judgment interrogatories are not responded to within 30 days, you may request that the court issue a Petition for Examination of Judgment Debtor along with a subpoena. This will enable you to question the debtor under oath as to the debtor s assets, property or bank accounts. If you are uncertain about what to ask the debtor, you may wish to refer to the list of questions contained in the Post-judgment Remedies Interrogatories in Appendix V for guidance. The Petition may be obtained at the clerk s office or on the Judicial Branch website at (See sample appearing at the end of this pamphlet in Appendix V.) REMINDER You do not need an attorney in the Small Claims session. However, it is your responsibility to follow the proper procedures. If you are the plaintiff: Make sure that you file your claim in the proper small claims court location and that you are suing the proper defendant. If you are the defendant: 1. You may lose your case if you fail to file an answer. 2. The answer must be in writing and must be received by the small claims clerk s office on or before the answer date. 16

21 DISCLAIMER The court staff will assist you if you have procedural questions. However, the staff cannot act as your attorney or give you legal advice. You are solely responsible for any actions you take on your own behalf. The clerk s office is not responsible for any errors or omissions in this booklet. If you feel you need more information or assistance, you should either consult an attorney or read the appropriate sections of the Connecticut General Statutes and the Connecticut Practice Book. 17

22 Appendix I Small Claims Area Facility Locations by Town Town Facility Town Facility Andover 410 Center Street Bristol Ansonia 106 Elizabeth Street Brookfield Derby Ashford 120 School Street Brooklyn Danielson Avon 410 Center Street Burlington Bantam 80 Doyle Road Canaan Bantam Barkhamsted 80 Doyle Road Canterbury Bantam Beacon Falls 106 Elizabeth Street Canton Derby Berlin 20 Franklin Square Chaplin New Britain Bethany 235 Church Street Cheshire New Haven Bethel 146 White Street Chester Danbury Bethlehem 80 Doyle Road Bantam Clinton Bloomfield 410 Center Street Bolton 410 Center Street Colchester Bozrah 112 Broad Street Colebrook New London Branford 235 Church Street Columbia New Haven Bridgeport 172 Golden Hill St. Cornwall Bridgeport Bridgewater 80Doyle Road Coventry Bantam Franklin Square New Britain White Street Danbury School Street Danielson Franklin Square New Britain Doyle Road Bantam School Street Danielson Center Street 120 School Street Danielson West Main Street Meriden Court Street Middletown Court Street Middletown Broad Street New London Doyle Road Bantam Center Street 80 Doyle Road Bantam Center Street

23 Appendix I (continued) Small Claims Area Facility Locations by Town Town Facility Town Facility Cromwell Danbury Danielson Darien Deep River Derby Durham Eastford East Granby 1 Court Street Middletown White Street Danbury School Street Danielson Hoyt Street Stamford Court Street Middletown Elizabeth Street Derby Court Street Middletown School Street Danielson Center Street East Haddam 1 Court Street Middletown East Hampton 1 Court Street Middletown East Hartford 410 Center Street East Haven 235 Church Street New Haven East Lyme 112 Broad Street New London Easton 172 Golden Hill St. Bridgeport East Windsor 410 Center Street Ellington 410 Center Street 19 Enfield Essex Fairfield Farmington Franklin Glastonbury Goshen Granby Greenwich Griswold Groton Guilford Haddam Hamden Hampton Hartford Hartland Harwinton 410 Center Street 1 Court Street Middletown Golden Hill St. Bridgeport Center Street 112 Broad Street New London Center Street 80 Doyle Road Bantam Center Street 123 Hoyt Street Stamford Broad Street New London Broad Street New London Church Street New Haven Court Street Middletown West Main Street Meriden School Street Danielson Center Street 80 Doyle Road Bantam Doyle Road Bantam 06750

24 Appendix I (continued) Small Claims Area Facility Locations by Town Town Facility Town Facility Hebron 410 Center Street Monroe 172 Golden Hill St. Bridgeport Kent 80 Doyle Road Bantam Montville 112 Broad Street New London Killingly 120 School Street Danielson Morris 80 Doyle Road Bantam Killingworth 1 Court Street Middletown Naugatuck New Britain 300 Grand Street Waterbury Franklin Square Lebanon 112 Broad Street New London Ledyard 112 Broad Street New London Lisbon 112 Broad Street New London Litchfield 80 Doyle Road Bantam Lyme 112 Broad Street New London Madison 235 Church Street New Haven Manchester 410 Center Street Mansfield 410 Center Street Marlborough 410 Center Street Meriden Middlebury Middlefield Middletown Milford 54 West Main Street Meriden Grand Street Waterbury Court Street Middletown Court Street Middletown West River St. Milford New Canaan New Britain Belden Avenue Norwalk New Fairfield 146 White Street Danbury New Hartford 80 Doyle Road Bantam New Haven Newington 235 Church Street New Haven Franklin Square New Britain New London 112 Broad Street New London New Milford 80 Doyle Road Bantam Newtown 146 White Street Danbury Norfolk 80 Doyle Road Bantam North 235 Church Street Branford New Haven North Canaan 80 Doyle Road Bantam Northford North Haven 235 Church Street New Haven West Main Street Meriden 06451

25 Appendix I (continued) Small Claims Area Facility Locations by Town Town Facility Town Facility North Stonington Norwalk Norwich Old Lyme 112 Broad Street New London Belden Avenue Norwalk Broad Street New London Broad Street New London Old Saybrook 1 Court Street Middletown Orange Oxford Plainfield Plainville Plymouth Pomfret Portland Preston Prospect Putnam Redding Ridgefield Rockville Elizabeth Street Derby Elizabeth Street Derby School Street Danielson Franklin Square New Britain Franklin Square New Britain School Street Danielson Court Street Middletown Broad Street New London Grand Street Waterbury School Street Danielson White Street Danbury White Street Danbury Center Street 21 Rocky Hill 20 Franklin Square New Britain Roxbury 80 Doyle Road Bantam Salem 112 Broad Street New London Salisbury 80 Doyle Road Bantam Scotland 120 School Street Danielson Seymour 106 Elizabeth Street Derby Sharon 80 Doyle Road Bantam Shelton 106 Elizabeth Street Derby Sherman 146 White Street Danbury Simsbury 410 Center Street Somers 410 Center Street Southbury 300 Grand Street Waterbury Southington 20 Franklin Square New Britain South 410 Center Street Windsor Sprague 112 Broad Street New London Stafford 410 Center Street Stamford 123 Hoyt Street Stamford Sterling 120 School Street Danielson Stonington 112 Broad Street New London 06320

26 Appendix I (continued) Small Claims Area Facility Locations by Town Town Facility Town Facility Stratford 172 Golden Hill St. Bridgeport West Hartford 410 Center Street Suffield 410 Center Street West Haven 14 West River Street Milford Thomaston 80 Doyle Road Bantam Weston 17 Belden Avenue Norwalk Thompson 120 School Street Danielson Westport 17 Belden Avenue Norwalk Tolland 410 Center Street Wethersfield 20 Franklin Square New Britain Torrington 80 Doyle Road Bantam Willimantic 120 School Street Danielson Trumbull 172 Golden Hill St. Bridgeport Willington 410 Center Street Union 410 Center Street Wilton 17 Belden Avenue Norwalk Vernon 410 Center Street Winchester 80 Doyle Road Bantam Voluntown 112 Broad Street New London Windham 120 School Street Danielson Wallingford 54 West Main Street Meriden Windsor 410 Center Street Warren 80 Doyle Road Windsor 410 Center Street Bantam Locks Washington 80 Doyle Road Bantam Winsted 80 Doyle Road Bantam Waterbury 300 Grand Street Waterbury Wolcott 300 Grand Street Waterbury Waterford 112 Broad Street New London Woodbridge 235 Church Street New Haven Watertown 300 Grand Street Waterbury Woodbury 300 Grand Street Waterbury Westbrook 1 Court Street Middletown Woodstock 120 School Street Danielson

27 Appendix II Small Claims Area Locations and Telephone Numbers Clerk, Geographical Area 22 Small Claims Area at Milford 14 West River Street Milford, CT ext. 390 Clerk, Geographical Area 3 Small Claims Area at Danbury 146 White Street Danbury, CT Clerk, Geographical Area 2 Small Claims Area at Bridgeport 172 Golden Hill Street Bridgeport, CT Clerk, Geographical Area 5 Small Claims Area at Derby 106 Elizabeth Street Derby, CT Clerk, Geographical Area 18 Small Claims Area at Bantam 80 Doyle Road Bantam, CT Chief Clerk, New Britain JD Small Claims Area at New Britain 20 Franklin Square 2 nd floor New Britain, CT Chief Clerk, New Haven JD Small Claims Area at New Haven 235 Church Street New Haven, CT Clerk, Geographical Area 7 Small Claims Area at Meriden 54 West Main Street Meriden, CT Clerk, Geographical Area 10 Small Claims Area at New London 112 Broad Street New London, CT Clerk, Geographical Area 12 Small Claims Area at Manchester 410 Center Street Manchester, CT Chief Clerk, Middlesex JD Small Claims Area at Middletown 1 Court Street 2 nd floor Middletown, CT Clerk, Geographical Area 1 Small Claims Area at Stamford 123 Hoyt Street Stamford, CT

28 Appendix II (continued) Small Claims Area Locations and Telephone Numbers Clerk, Geographical Area 20 Small Claims Area at Norwalk 17 Belden Avenue Norwalk, CT Chief Clerk, Waterbury JD Small Claims Area at Waterbury 300 Grand Street Waterbury, CT Clerk, Geographical Area 11 Small Claims Area at Danielson 120 School Street Danielson, CT

29 Appendix III Superior Court Housing Sessions by District Fairfield Judicial District Bridgeport Housing Session (Serving the towns of Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Stratford and Trumbull.) Superior Court-Housing Session (203) Main Street Bridgeport, CT Hartford Judicial District Hartford Housing Session (Serving the towns of Avon, Bloomfield, Canton, East Granby, East Hartford, East Windsor, Enfield, Farmington, Glastonbury,Granby, Hartford, Manchester, Marlborough, Newington, Rocky Hill, Simsbury, South Windsor, Suffield, West Hartford, Wethersfield, Windsor and Windsor Locks.) Superior Court-Housing Session (860) Washington Street Hartford, CT New Britain Judicial District New Britain Housing Session (Serving the towns of Avon, Berlin, Bristol, Burlington, Canton, Farmington, New Britain, Newington, Plainville, Plymouth, Rocky Hill, Simsbury, Southington and Wethersfield.) Superior Court-Housing Session (860) Franklin Square New Britain, CT

30 Appendix III (continued) Superior Court Housing Sessions by District New Haven/Meriden Judicial District New Haven Housing Session (Serving the towns of Bethany, Branford, Cheshire, East Haven, Guilford, Hamden, Madison, Meriden, Milford, New Haven, North Branford, North Haven, Orange, Wallingford, West Haven and Woodbridge.) Superior Court-Housing Session (203) Elm Street New Haven, CT Superior Court-Housing Session (203) West Main Street Meriden, CT Stamford/Norwalk Judicial District Norwalk Housing Session (Serving the towns of Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, Norwalk, Stamford, Weston, Westport and Wilton.) Superior Court-Housing Session (203) Belden Avenue Norwalk, CT Waterbury Judicial District Waterbury Housing Session (Serving the towns of Middlebury, Naugatuck, Plymouth, Prospect, Southbury, Waterbury, Watertown, Wolcott and Woodbury.) Superior Court-Housing Session (203) Grand Street Waterbury, CT

31 Appendix IV Fees Payable to the Clerk in Small Claims Cases 1 Filing (entry) fee $ Motion to Transfer $ to the Regular Docket Application for Wage, $ Property, or Financial Institution Execution Jury Claim Fee $ Motion to Open Judgment $ Photocopies (per page) $ 1.00 Certification of Document $ 2.00 Personal Checks are acceptable with the following restrictions: 1. Check must be made payable to the Clerk of the Superior Court; third party checks are not acceptable; 2. Check must be preprinted with the current name and address of payer; 3. Check amount is not to exceed $ per check. 4. Photo ID or photo driver s license is required as proof of identity; 5. A check drawn on a bank of a foreign country other than Canada shall not be accepted. Funds must be made payable in U.S. funds; and, 6. No checks are to be cashed. 1 The above fees were in effect as of the date of the printing of this booklet. The fees are subject to change periodically. Please contact your local small claims clerk s office for the current fees. 27

32 Appendix V - Forms 28

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56 Notes

57 Notes

58 JD-CV-45P Rev. 5-05