Local Rule Rule 3: COMMENCEMENT OF ACTION
D. Conn. — Civil rule
Rule 3 COMMENCEMENT OF ACTION (Amended January 12, 2026)
(a) Complaint or Other Initiating Document 1. Any complaint or other document initiating a proceeding filed in this Court by an attorney admitted to practice in this Court shall be filed electronically, in accordance with the Court's Electronic Filing Policies and Procedures ("EFPP"). In circumstances where these rules or the EFPP authorize the filing of a complaint or other initiating document in paper form, the complaint or document may be filed in the Clerk's Office at Bridgeport, Hartford, or New Haven. After a case has been initiated and assigned to a Judge, any pleading or other document authorized by these Rules or the EFPP to be filed in paper form shall be filed at the seat of Court where the presiding Judge sits unless otherwise directed by the Clerk or presiding Judge.
2. When a case is initiated by a complaint filed in paper form, the complaint shall be accompanied by a summons if required, and a Civil Cover Sheet. Upon request the Clerk's office will furnish these forms. Self-represented parties are exempted from the requirements of this paragraph. A Civil Cover Sheet indicating that a jury trial is desired shall not suffice as a demand for jury trial. The Civil Cover Sheet is solely for administrative purposes, and matters appearing on the Civil Cover Sheet have no legal effect in the action.
3. Any complaint or other document initiating a proceeding must be accompanied by the applicable filing fee. Absent same, the plaintiff or party initiating the action must file a motion to proceed in forma pauperis, and affidavit on the Court approved forms.
(b) Habeas Corpus Petitions and Section 2255 Motions 1. Petitions for Writs of Habeas Corpus and motions filed pursuant to Title 28, U.S. Code Section 2255, if filed in paper form, shall be addressed to the Court and filed with the Clerk at Bridgeport, Hartford, or New Haven.
2. When the petitioner has sufficient funds, the petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus must be accompanied by the statutory fee. Motions filed pursuant to Title 28, U.S. Code Section 2255 do not require a filing fee.
3. When a petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus is filed without payment of the statutory fee, the petitioner must file a motion to proceed in forma pauperis and affidavit on the Court approved forms.