Conn. Gen. Stat. » Title 47a — LANDLORD AND TENANT · Chapter 832 — Summary Process
Connecticut General Statutes

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-26a (2025)

Failure to plead. Judgment

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If the defendant appears but does not plead within two days after the return day, the complainant may file a motion for judgment for failure to plead, served upon the defendant in the manner provided in the rules adopted by the judges of the Superior Court for the service of pleadings. If the defendant fails to plead within three days after receipt of such motion by the clerk, the court shall forthwith enter judgment that the complainant recover possession or occupancy with his costs.

(P.A. 79-571, S. 52; P.A. 92-171, S. 4.)

History: P.A. 92-171 reduced the time period for an appearing defendant to plead from three days to two days after the return day.

Cited. 217 C. 313.

Cited. 1 CA 439; 5 CA 417.

Appears judge has power to grant motion when court is in session, not ex parte in chambers. 36 CS 565. Cited. 38 CS 70.

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Notes of Decisions
Cited in 4 cases, 1983–2020 · leading case: Southland Corp. v. Vernon, 473 A.2d 318 (Conn. App. Ct. 1983).
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Southland Corp. v. Vernon, 473 A.2d 318 (Conn. App. Ct. 1983). · cites it 2× “Concomitant with its summary design, the legislature has mandated a truncated return day and appearance date; General Statutes §§ 47a-23a and 47a-26; and that pleadings shall advance in three day steps.”
Ossen v. Wanat, 585 A.2d 685 (Conn. 1991). · cites it 2× “” General Statutes § 47a-26a provides in part: “If the defendant appears but does not plead within three days after the return day, the complainant may file a motion for judgment for failure to plead .”
Purcell v. Slagle, 498 A.2d 144 (Conn. App. Ct. 1985). · cites it 4× “Pursuant to General Statutes § 47a-26a, 1 the trial court rendered judgment granting possession to the plaintiffs on December 14, 1982, for the failure of the defendants to plead.”
Nationstar Mortg., LLC v. Gabriel, 241 A.3d 763 (Conn. App. Ct. 2020). · cites it 2× “2 General Statutes § 47a-26a provides: ‘‘If the defendant appears but does not plead within two days after the return day, the complainant may file a motion for judgment for failure to plead, served upon the defendant in the manner provided in the rules adopted by the judges of…”
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