Civil procedure includes the procedures and rules that govern civil (non-criminal) litigation in state and federal courts. Many states have rules of civil procedure written by the state supreme court, for example, and other states include their rules of procedure in state statutes enacted by the state legislature.
In Connecticut, civil procedure is governed by a combination of state statutes and rules established by the Connecticut Supreme Court. The Connecticut Practice Book outlines the rules of civil procedure that dictate how civil litigation is to be conducted in state courts. These rules cover various aspects of the legal process, including the filing of lawsuits, service of process, motions, discovery, trial procedures, and appeals. Additionally, Connecticut has specific statutes that may apply to particular types of civil actions, such as family law or small claims. For federal cases, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure apply to civil litigation in the United States District Courts located in Connecticut. These federal rules are designed to ensure fairness and efficiency in the federal civil justice system and are consistent across all federal courts.