APPEARANCE

State of Connecticut -- Superior Court

IMPORTANT CONNECTICUT-SPECIFIC NOTES

Connecticut has a unique appearance system that differs significantly from most other states:

1. Mandatory Appearance: Under Practice Book § 3-1, an appearance is mandatory. No attorney may file any document or appear before the court without first filing an appearance.
2. Juris Number System: Connecticut assigns each attorney a unique "Juris Number" (juris #) which serves as the attorney's electronic signature and identification across all Connecticut courts.
3. Standardized Forms: The Connecticut Judicial Branch provides standardized forms:
   - JD-CL-12 -- Appearance (standard)
   - JD-CL-121 -- Limited Appearance
   - JD-SC-36 -- Appearance (Small Claims/Housing)
4. Return Date System: Connecticut uses a "return date" rather than a response deadline. The return date is the date by which the appearance must be filed.
5. Electronic Filing: Connecticut e-filing is through the Judicial Branch E-Services portal.

APPEARANCE FORM

(Modeled on JD-CL-12 format with expanded practitioner guidance)

COURT INFORMATION

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ STATE OF CONNECTICUT │
│ SUPERIOR COURT │
│ JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF [________________________________] │
│ AT [________________________________] │
│ HOUSING SESSION AT [________________________________] (if appl.) │
│ GEOGRAPHICAL AREA NUMBER [____] (if applicable) │
│ │
│ DOCKET NO.: [________________________________] │
│ RETURN DATE: [__/__/____] │
│ │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Select Court Location Type:

☐ Judicial District Courthouse
☐ Geographical Area Courthouse
☐ Housing Session

Connecticut Judicial Districts:

☐ Ansonia-Milford
☐ Danbury
☐ Fairfield
☐ Hartford
☐ Litchfield
☐ Middlesex
☐ New Britain
☐ New Haven
☐ New London
☐ Stamford-Norwalk
☐ Tolland
☐ Waterbury
☐ Windham

CASE CAPTION

[________________________________],
Plaintiff(s),
DOCKET NO.: [________________]
v. CIVIL ACTION

[________________________________],
Defendant(s). RETURN DATE: [__/__/____]

APPEARANCE

Pursuant to Connecticut Practice Book §§ 3-1, 3-3, and 3-5, the undersigned hereby files this Appearance:

1. TYPE OF APPEARANCE (Select One)

☐ APPEARANCE -- The undersigned files this full appearance on behalf of the party identified below pursuant to Practice Book § 3-3.

☐ LIMITED APPEARANCE -- The undersigned files this limited appearance pursuant to Practice Book § 3-8(a) and (b). The scope of this limited appearance is described in Section 5 below.

☐ IN-PLACE-OF APPEARANCE -- Pursuant to Practice Book § 3-8, the undersigned files this appearance in place of the existing appearance of: [________________________________] (Juris No. [________________]). The original appearance shall be deemed withdrawn upon the filing of this in-place-of appearance.

2. ATTORNEY INFORMATION

Note: Your individual Juris Number serves as your electronic signature on an appearance filing. Every attorney admitted to practice in Connecticut is assigned a unique Juris Number by the Statewide Grievance Committee.

3. PARTY INFORMATION

The undersigned attorney enters this appearance for:

Party Name: [________________________________]

Party Role:

☐ Plaintiff
☐ Defendant
☐ Third-Party Plaintiff
☐ Third-Party Defendant
☐ Intervening Plaintiff
☐ Intervening Defendant
☐ Petitioner
☐ Respondent
☐ Applicant
☐ Other: [________________________________]

4. ELECTRONIC DELIVERY

Pursuant to Practice Book § 10-13 and Connecticut Judicial Branch E-Filing requirements:

☐ The undersigned WILL ACCEPT delivery of papers filed in this case electronically, in computer format, instead of paper delivery.

☐ The undersigned WILL NOT ACCEPT electronic delivery. (Note: Attorneys who are not exempt from e-filing are required to accept electronic delivery.)

E-Filing Email Address: [________________________________]

IMPORTANT: Any attorney who is not exempt from e-filing is required to accept electronic delivery. Self-represented parties may opt out of electronic delivery.

5. LIMITED APPEARANCE (If Applicable)

☐ Not applicable -- this is a full appearance.

☐ Pursuant to Practice Book §§ 3-3(b) and 3-8, this appearance is limited to the following specific event(s) and/or proceeding(s):

Brief description of the event and/or proceeding:

☐ Motion hearing on [__/__/____]: [________________________________]
☐ Short Calendar matter on [__/__/____]: [________________________________]
☐ Trial scheduled for [__/__/____]
☐ Deposition of [________________________________] on [__/__/____]
☐ Mediation scheduled for [__/__/____]
☐ Other specific event: [________________________________]

Detailed description of limitation: [________________________________]

Termination of Limited Appearance:

Under Practice Book § 3-8(c), the limited appearance terminates automatically upon the conclusion of the event(s) or proceeding(s) identified above. The attorney filing a limited appearance need not file a withdrawal of the limited appearance upon completion of the identified event(s), unless the court orders otherwise. However, best practice is to file a notice confirming termination.

6. PRO HAC VICE ADMISSION (Out-of-State Attorneys)

☐ Not applicable -- attorney is admitted to the Connecticut Bar with an active Juris Number.

☐ The undersigned out-of-state attorney seeks admission pro hac vice pursuant to Practice Book § 2-16.

Pro Hac Vice Requirements (Practice Book § 2-16):

☐ A Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice (Form JD-CL-141) has been filed.
☐ The filing fee of $620.00 (payable to "Clerk of the Superior Court") is enclosed.
☐ The Client Security Fund fee of $75.00 (assessed annually; payable to "Client Security Fund," P.O. Box 1379, Hartford, CT 06143-1379) has been or will be submitted upon admission.
☐ The applicant is in good standing in their home state bar.
☐ The application appears upon "special and infrequent occasion" and for good cause.
☐ The applicant has listed all prior pro hac vice appearances in Connecticut by name, docket number, and any previously assigned Juris Number.

Required Connecticut Local Counsel:

Note: Local Connecticut counsel is required for pro hac vice admission in the Superior Courts of Connecticut. The pro hac vice attorney will be assigned a temporary Juris Number upon admission.

7. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Is this a class action? ☐ Yes ☐ No

Is this a foreclosure action? ☐ Yes ☐ No (If yes, additional mediator and compliance requirements may apply.)

Is this a summary process (eviction) action? ☐ Yes ☐ No

8. SIGNATURE

Dated at [________________________________], Connecticut
this [____] day of [________________________________], [________].

________________________________________
[________________________________]
Juris No. [________________________________]
[________________________________] (Law Firm Name)
[________________________________] (Address)
[________________________________], CT [________]
Phone: [________________________________]
Email: [________________________________]

9. CERTIFICATION OF SERVICE

I hereby certify that a copy of this Appearance was or will immediately be mailed or delivered electronically or non-electronically on [__/__/____] to all counsel and self-represented parties of record as listed below, in accordance with Practice Book § 10-13:

________________________________________
[________________________________]
Juris No. [________________________________]

PRACTITIONER NOTES AND GUIDANCE

Connecticut's Unique Appearance System

Connecticut's appearance system is distinct from most other states:

1. Mandatory First Step: An appearance MUST be filed before any other document. Under Practice Book § 3-1, the filing of an appearance is the first step in any litigation.
2. Return Date: Connecticut uses a "return date" system. The plaintiff selects a return date (a Tuesday at least 12 days after service), and the defendant must file an appearance within 2 days after the return date.
3. Juris Number = Identity: Your Juris Number is your unique identifier in all Connecticut courts. It functions as your electronic signature for e-filed appearances.
4. No "General" vs. "Special" Distinction: Connecticut does not use the "general appearance" vs. "special appearance" framework common in other states. Instead, you file an appearance (full or limited) and raise jurisdictional defenses separately by motion.

Key Practice Book Sections (2026 Edition)

2026 Practice Book Changes

The 2026 Connecticut Practice Book includes significant updates:
- Attorneys seeking to withdraw their appearance must now provide notice to their client even when a substitute appearance representing the same party has entered on the docket.
- Review the full 2026 Practice Book for any additional amendments affecting appearances.

Connecticut E-Filing

• Portal: Connecticut Judicial Branch E-Services (https://www.jud.ct.gov)
• Mandatory: E-filing is mandatory for most attorneys in most case types.
• Electronic Delivery: Attorneys not exempt from e-filing must accept electronic delivery.
• How to E-File an Appearance: Upload the JD-CL-12 form (or JD-CL-121 for limited appearances) through the E-Services portal.
• Filing Instructions: Detailed instructions available at https://www.jud.ct.gov/external/super/E-Services/efile/Appearance.pdf

Appearance Filing Deadlines

Standardized Forms

Limited Appearance Practice

Under Practice Book §§ 3-3(b) and 3-8:
- An attorney may file a limited appearance for specific events and/or proceedings.
- The limited appearance must include a brief description of the scope.
- The limited appearance terminates automatically upon conclusion of the identified event(s).
- Form JD-CL-121 (revised February 2025) is the standardized form for limited appearances.

Withdrawal of Appearance

Under Practice Book § 3-7:
- Withdrawal requires either: (a) the filing of a new appearance by another attorney for the same party; or (b) leave of court.
- A motion to withdraw must include the client's last known address.
- The court may deny withdrawal if it would prejudice the client or delay the proceedings.
- 2026 Change: Even when a substitute appearance has been filed, the withdrawing attorney must provide notice to the client.

In-Place-of Appearance (§ 3-8)

• When filing a new appearance "in place of" an existing appearance, the party or attorney filing must serve a copy on the attorney whose appearance is being replaced.
• The original appearance is deemed withdrawn upon filing of the in-place-of appearance.
• Proper service on replaced counsel is required under §§ 10-12 through 10-17.

Connecticut Court Structure

Key Practice Tips

1. File Appearance FIRST: Never file a motion, pleading, or any other document before filing an appearance. The clerk will reject filings from attorneys without a filed appearance.
2. Use Standardized Forms: While this template provides comprehensive guidance, the court may require or prefer the official JD-CL-12 or JD-CL-121 forms. File the standardized form alongside or in lieu of this template.
3. Return Date Awareness: The return date is critical in Connecticut practice. Calculate deadlines from the return date, not the date of service.
4. Juris Number Required: You cannot e-file without a Juris Number. Ensure your Juris Number is active and associated with your e-filing account.
5. Business & Industry Section: If the case is in the Complex Litigation Docket or Business and Industry Section, check for additional courtesy copy requirements per standing orders.
6. Foreclosure Cases: Foreclosure mediations have additional appearance and compliance requirements.
7. Pro Hac Vice Costs: Connecticut pro hac vice fees total approximately $695 ($620 filing fee + $75 Client Security Fund).

SOURCES AND REFERENCES

• 2026 Connecticut Practice Book: https://www.jud.ct.gov/publications/PracticeBook/PB.pdf
• Filing an Appearance Guide: https://www.jud.ct.gov/forms/appearance/Filing_an_Appearance_1211.pdf
• E-Filing an Appearance: https://www.jud.ct.gov/external/super/E-Services/efile/Appearance.pdf
• JD-CL-12 Appearance Form: https://www.jud.ct.gov/webforms/forms/cl012.pdf
• JD-CL-121 Limited Appearance Form: https://www.jud.ct.gov/webforms/forms/CL121.pdf
• Pro Hac Vice FAQ: https://www.jud.ct.gov/sgc/faq_prohacvice.htm
• Withdrawal of Appearance Guide: https://www.jud.ct.gov/CivilProc/withdrawal.pdf