Connecticut Court Exhibit Requirements
A comprehensive guide to preparing exhibits for Connecticut courts under Practice Book § 13-4, including e-filing specifications via eCMS and formatting best practices.
Applying P-1/D-1 labels to a 40-exhibit set by hand takes about 2 hours. ExhibitPrep stamps the whole set with Practice Book § 13-4-compliant labels in minutes.
Opens the tool set up for Connecticut — plaintiff: Prefix: "P-", Numbers starting at 1; defendant: Prefix: "D-", Numbers starting at 1.
- Connecticut's primary exhibit rule is Practice Book § 13-4.
- Plaintiffs label exhibits with P-1, P-2, P-3....
- Defendants label exhibits with D-1, D-2, D-3....
- The eCMS portal caps each document at 35 MB.
- Exhibit exchange deadline is 30 days before trial.
- Standard label position is the bottom-right corner of the first page; multi-page exhibits keep one number with per-page pagination ("Exhibit 1, p. 2 of 5").
- Bates numbering (page-level production identifiers) is independent of exhibit numbering and runs across the entire production.
Court rules and e-filing requirements change frequently. Verify current requirements with your local court clerk or official court website before filing. This content is for general reference only and does not constitute legal advice.
Quick Reference
Updated 2026-01-3135 MB
P-1, P-2, P-3...
D-1, D-2, D-3...
30 days before trial
Applicable Rules & Citations
Primary Rule
Disclosure of expert witnesses and exhibits. Parties must disclose documents intended for trial use.
Formatting Requirements
Practice Book § 13-6
Pretrial conference requirements. Final exhibit lists due before trial.
E-Filing System
Electronic Case Management System. Mandatory for attorneys. PDF format, 35 MB limit.
Key Deadlines
Practice Book § 14-11
Exhibit lists due per scheduling order, typically 30 days before trial.
Overview
Connecticut courts operate under Practice Book § 13-4 for exhibit requirements. Electronic filing is handled through eCMS with a maximum file size of 35 MB. Exhibits must be exchanged 30 days before trial.
Key principle: Always verify your specific court's local rules, as individual counties may have additional requirements beyond the statewide rules.
Connecticut Exhibit Conventions
- Unified court system (no county courts)
- Complex Litigation Docket
- Strong alternative dispute resolution program
- Detailed Practice Book rules
Connecticut Exhibit Marking
Standard Marking Conventions
Plaintiff Exhibits
P-1, P-2, P-3...
Defendant Exhibits
D-1, D-2, D-3...
Check Local Court Rules
Individual courts within Connecticut may have specific local rules regarding exhibit marking, numbering sequences, and formatting. Always verify with your specific court before filing.
Court-Specific Requirements
Hartford Judicial District
Capital region. Complex Litigation Docket available. Standard statewide rules.
Standard Practice BookNew Haven Judicial District
Second largest. Complex Litigation Docket available. Standard statewide rules.
Standard Practice BookeCMS E-Filing Requirements
File Format & Size
Document Specifications
- PDF format required for all filings
- 35 MB maximum per file
- Text-searchable PDFs recommended
Best Practices
- Include bookmarks for multi-exhibit PDFs
- No password protection
- Clear, legible exhibit stamps
Common Rejection Reasons
File Size Exceeds 35 MB Limit
Solution: Split large exhibits into parts. Label clearly (e.g., "Exhibit 5, Part 1 of 3"). ExhibitPrep exports individual files to manage size limits.
Missing or Illegible Exhibit Stamps
Solution: Use consistent, clearly visible exhibit stamps on every page. ExhibitPrep places stamps in the same position on every page automatically.
Incorrect Exhibit Numbering
Solution: Verify plaintiff exhibits use P-1, P-2, P-3... and defendant exhibits use D-1, D-2, D-3.... ExhibitPrep auto-numbers exhibits sequentially.
Late Exhibit Exchange
Solution: Connecticut requires exchange 30 days before trial. Plan ahead and prepare exhibits early to avoid last-minute issues.
The first three rejections are formatting problems ExhibitPrep prevents automatically. Stamp eCMS-ready exhibits now →
How ExhibitPrep Helps with Connecticut Requirements
Time Savings
Stamp 50 exhibits in 5 minutes vs. 2+ hours applying stickers manually.
Cost Effective
$14.99 Day Pass vs. $100+/hr paralegal time. Stamp unlimited exhibits for one low price.
Court Compliant
Connecticut court-ready formatting. Export with bookmarks for organized filings.
Opens the tool set up for Connecticut — plaintiff: Prefix: "P-", Numbers starting at 1; defendant: Prefix: "D-", Numbers starting at 1.
Take the Connecticut Requirements With You
Get the complete Connecticut exhibit guide as a PDF — Practice Book § 13-4 marking conventions, eCMS file limits, and exchange deadlines, ready to share with your paralegal.
Free Connecticut Exhibit Guide
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Every year, Connecticut courts reject exhibits for:
- Wrong marking convention
- Missing electronic bookmarks
- Non-compliant file formats
This guide prevents those mistakes.
ExhibitPrep Configuration for Connecticut Courts
Recommended Settings
Stamp Format
Use "Exhibit [number]" for plaintiffs or "Exhibit [letter]" for defendants. Include party designation if required by local rules.
Position
Bottom-right corner is standard. Ensure stamps don't obscure document content. Use drag-and-drop positioning to adjust if needed.
Export Format
Combined PDF with bookmarks for court filings. Keep files under 35 MB. Individual files for discovery productions or large exhibit sets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the exhibit requirements for Connecticut courts?
Connecticut courts require exhibits to follow Practice Book § 13-4. Disclosure of expert witnesses and exhibits. Parties must disclose documents intended for trial use.
What does Practice Book § 13-4 say?
Practice Book § 13-4: Disclosure of expert witnesses and exhibits. Parties must disclose documents intended for trial use. The full text is available on the court's official rules page.
What e-filing system does Connecticut use?
Connecticut uses eCMS for electronic filings. Electronic Case Management System. Mandatory for attorneys. PDF format, 35 MB limit.
How should plaintiff and defendant exhibits be marked in Connecticut?
In Connecticut, plaintiffs typically use P-1, P-2, P-3... while defendants use D-1, D-2, D-3.... Check local court rules for specific requirements.
What are the exhibit exchange deadlines in Connecticut?
Connecticut requires exhibit exchange 30 days before trial. Exhibit lists due per scheduling order, typically 30 days before trial.
Are electronically stamped exhibits accepted in Connecticut?
Yes, Connecticut courts accept electronic exhibit stamps that are clearly legible and consistently formatted. ExhibitPrep creates court-ready stamps accepted throughout Connecticut.
What is the maximum file size for Connecticut e-filing?
Connecticut's e-filing system (eCMS) accepts files up to 35 MB. For larger exhibits, split into multiple parts with clear labeling.
Prepare Connecticut Court Exhibits in Minutes
ExhibitPrep makes it easy to create professional, court-compliant exhibits for Connecticut filings. Preview your stamped exhibits before paying.
Opens the tool set up for Connecticut — plaintiff: Prefix: "P-", Numbers starting at 1; defendant: Prefix: "D-", Numbers starting at 1.
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Related Court Guides
Exhibit Conventions Explained
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