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

• Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
• Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure

Local Rules

• United States District Court of Connecticut Local Rules

Forms

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 to Pro Se Litigants.

• Guide to Pro Se Litigants
• Civil Rights Complaint Form
• Social Security Complaint Form
• Social Security Statistical Information Sheet
• Employment Discrimination Complaint Form
• General Form Complaint
• Motion for Leave to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (non-prisoner cases)
• 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
• 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 Pro Se Litigant
• Motion by Pro Se Litigant to Participate in Electronic Filing
• Legal Assistance Organizations

• More on-line forms