Rules
To litigate your case in federal court you need to follow the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the District of Connecticut Local Civil Rules.
Federal Rules
Local Rules
Resources
The court has various forms available for litigants to use. The forms most helpful to pro se litigants are listed here. Instructions on using many of the forms may be found in the Guide for Self Represented Litigants.
- Guide for Self Represented Litigants
- Civil Rights Complaint Form
- Social Security Complaint Form
- Employment Discrimination Complaint Form
- General Form Complaint
- Motion for Leave to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (non-prisoner cases)
- Motion for Leave to Proceed in Forma Pauperis on a Social Security Disability Appeal
- Motion for Appointment of Counsel
- Marshal Service (of Process) Form (USM-285)
- Instructions for Completing Marshal Service (of Process) Form (USM-285)
- Notice of Lawsuit and Request for Waiver of Service of Summons
- Pro Se Appearance
- Waiver of the Service of Summons
- Instructions for Completing Notice of Lawsuit and Request for Waiver of Service of Summons Forms
- Summons in a Civil Case
- Consent to Electronic Notice by Self-represented Litigant
- Motion by Self-represented Litigant to Participate in Electronic Filing
- Legal Assistance Organizations and Other Resources
- Answer to Complaint
- General Motion Form
- Notice of Change of Address