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JD-CV-40 (Back) Rev. 9-19
The “Small Claims Court” is a part of Connecticut's court system
where a person can sue for money damages only up to $5,000.
That amount is set by state law and may change from time to time.
You may also be able to get interest and costs.
When a tenant (renter) of residential real estate property sues a
landlord for the return of a wrongfully withheld security deposit, the
Judicial Authority (Magistrate) may award the tenant twice the
amount of the security deposit even if the total amount of damages
and costs, combined, is greater than $5,000. Read sections 51-15(d)
and 47a-21 of the Connecticut General Statutes for more information.
The small claims court does not hear libel and slander cases.
The instructions below are numbered. The numbers are the same as
the numbered sections of the Small Claims Writ and Notice of Suit
(form JD-CV-40). These instructions are to help you correctly fill out
each section of the Small Claims Writ and Notice of Suit. For more
information, get a copy of How Small Claims Court Works
(form JDP-CV-45) from the Clerk's Office or from our website at
www.jud.ct.gov/faq/smallclaims.html
.
Note: Unless you are hiring a state marshal to serve (deliver) the
Small Claims Writ and Notice of Suit for you, you must deliver a copy
of the completed original Small Claims Writ and Notice of Suit to
each defendant with the Instructions to Defendant (form JD-CV-121),
before filing those documents with the court. See How to Serve
(Deliver to Defendant) a Small Claim Writ and Notice of Suit (form
JD-CV-122) for instructions. You must deliver a copy of all the
documents you want to file with the court, for example, all
attachments to the original writ must be delivered. After all of those
documents have been delivered, file the original Small Claims Writ
and Notice of Suit and copies of your supporting documents (for
example, a lease or a contract) with the court, with the appropriate
entry fee and Statement of Service (form JD-CV-123) for each
defendant. Keep a copy of the Small Claims Writ and Notice of Suit
and the Statement of Service for your records. Keep the original of
any supporting documents.
1. Information That Will Determine Where The Trial Will Be
The information you give in this section will determine where the
trial will be held as long as the information complies with the law.
If you are suing as a Landlord or Tenant, enter the town where
the rental property is located.
If you are an Individual Plaintiff, choose and enter one of the
following: the town (a) where you live, (b) where the defendant
lives or where the defendant's business is located, or (c) where the
transaction or injury occurred. If you leave this section blank, the
town where you live will determine the trial location.
If you are a Business Entity, including a domestic or United
States corporation or a limited liability company, choose and enter
one of the following: the town (a) where the defendant lives,
(b) where the defendant is doing business, or (c) where the
transaction or injury occurred. If you leave this section blank, the
town where the defendant lives will determine the trial location.
Note: An out-of-state Individual Defendant must own real or
personal property in Connecticut to be sued in small claims court.
2. Case Type Codes:
The small claims case type code will contain a major code, which
will be either S or H, and a minor code, which will be a number.
Select the code that best describes your case:
Code Description
S00 Small Claims - Collection - Credit Card (Original Owner)
S05 Small Claims - Collection - Hospital
S10 Small Claims - Collection - Medical Non-Hospital
S15 Small Claims - Collection - Purchased Debt
S20 Small Claims - Contract - Home Improvement
S25 Small Claims - Contract - Other
S50 Small Claims - Tort - Motor Vehicle
S55 Small Claims - Tort - Other
S90 Small Claims - All Other
H11 Small Claims Housing - Return of Security Deposit
H13 Small Claims Housing - Rent and/or Damages
3. Claim Between Landlord and Tenant (Renter)
If the claim is between a landlord and a renter (tenant), then
select the box for "Yes". If not, then select the box for "No".
4. Rental Property Location
If you answered "Yes" to question 3, then write the name of the
town where the rental property is located.
5. Plaintiff(s)
You are the plaintiff because you are the person suing the other
party. If there is more than 1 plaintiff, use the Continuation of
Parties (form JD-CV-67). Enter the complete and correct legal
name, address, and telephone number of each plaintiff. For
each plaintiff, select the box for the type of plaintiff filing.
6. Attorney Information
To be filled out by an attorney only if representing the plaintiff.
7. Defendant(s)
The defendant is the person you are suing. If you are suing
more than 1 person, use 1 box for each defendant. For more
than 2 defendants, use the Continuation of Parties
(form JD-CV-67). Enter the complete and correct legal name,
address, and telephone number of each defendant. For each
defendant, select the box for the type of defendant being sued.
Note: The name of the person or business you are suing must
be exact. If you make a mistake and list the wrong name, or
leave out any part of any name, your claim may not be allowed.
8. Statute of Limitations
A statute of limitations is a time limit on how long you have to
start a case. The time limit is different for each type of case.
More information can be found in Chapter 926 of the
Connecticut General Statutes. If you claim the defendant(s)
owe(s) a consumer debt, which is a debt or obligation made
primarily for personal, family, or household reasons, you must
give the reasons why you believe that the statute of limitations
time limit has not run out. See section 52-350a(2) of the
Connecticut General Statutes.
9. Address Verification
Select all boxes that apply showing how you know the address
you give for each defendant is accurate and provide the date
you checked the addresses.
10. Amount Claimed
Enter the amount of money you are claiming the defendant
owes you. The amount may not be more than the statutory limit
for small claims matters. If you claim pre-judgment interest or
that you should be awarded double damages because you are
a tenant and your landlord wrongfully withheld your security
deposit, select the box(es) that apply.
Do not include the filing fee, amount of pre-judgment interest,
or double damages for a wrongfully withheld security deposit.
11. Reason for Claim
Give a clear, brief description of your case. You may attach
additional pages, if needed. The claim must be for money
damages only. Interest and/or the amount for double damages
for a wrongfully withheld security deposit must be listed in this
section. You may attach exhibits or documents to support your
case (for example, a lease or contract). However, do not attach
original versions; attach only copies. Attachments may not be
returned to you. You may bring original documents to your
hearing.
12. Signature and Oath
Your signature must be under oath. You must sign the writ in
front of the person who is taking your oath. You must also
clearly print your name and title, if applicable, in the box
provided. Your oath must be taken at the time you sign the writ,
and the person who took your oath (the Clerk, a Notary, or a
Commissioner of the Superior Court) must also sign. Attorneys
are Commissioners of the Superior Court.
Keep a copy of all documents for your records.
Instructions to Plaintiff