While the purpose of a plaintiff’s petition or complaint is to inform the court and the defendant of what the plaintiff’s claims will be at trial, the purpose of special exceptions is to force clarification and specification in the pleadings when they are not clear, or sufficiently specific, or fail to plead a cause of action.
In Connecticut, the legal process allows for a plaintiff to file a petition or complaint to initiate a lawsuit, which outlines the basis of the plaintiff's claims against the defendant. This document serves to inform both the court and the defendant of the issues that will be addressed at trial. If the defendant believes that the complaint is vague, ambiguous, or legally insufficient, they may file what is known as a 'motion to strike' rather than 'special exceptions,' which is a term used in other jurisdictions. A motion to strike challenges the sufficiency of the complaint and asks the court to order the plaintiff to clarify or specify the allegations, so that the defendant can adequately prepare a response. If the court grants the motion, the plaintiff may be required to amend the complaint to correct the deficiencies. This procedural step ensures that the pleadings meet the necessary legal standards and provide a clear framework for the litigation process.