This Week’s Blog by Nicole M. DiGiose.
The Short Calendar is a mechanism for pending motions to be heard. Once a motion has been filed in a case, it will appear on the Short Calendar. Short Calendar occurs on a specific day each week, which will depend on the Judicial District in which your case has been filed, for example, Mondays in Stamford and Thursdays in Bridgeport.
How Long does it Take for a Motion to Appear on the Short Calendar?
Once a motion has been filed, it takes approximately two to three weeks to appear on the Short Calendar.
I Would like to Proceed with my Motion on Short Calendar – What Happens Next?
The Short Calendar list becomes available approximately one to two weeks prior to the actual Short Calendar date. Once the Short Calendar List becomes available, there is a period of time during which the available motions to be heard can be marked either “ready” or “off.” In order to proceed with a motion at the Short Calendar, it must be marked “ready” during the marking period. Once a motion has been marked “ready,” notice must then be sent to the other side.
I am Unavailable or Unable to Proceed with my Motion on Short Calendar – What Happens Next?
If you are unavailable or unable to proceed with your motion when it appears on the Short Calendar list, do not worry—motions may be reclaimed. Reclaiming a motion will bring it back up to the next available Short Calendar. Typically, motions may be reclaimed for a period of ninety days from their original file date before they are considered stale.
What Happens at Short Calendar?
When you first arrive at Short Calendar, your attorney will fill out a Memo to the Clerk. This Memo indicates the status of the matter, such as: (a) whether you are requesting a continuance, (b) whether you have an agreement, or (c) whether you will need to proceed with a hearing. Short Calendar days are usually the busiest days in the Courthouse and there will likely be some downtime while you are waiting to attend Family Relations or to have a hearing.
What is Family Relations?
Family Relations is a free service offered by the Judicial Branch to assist the Court and parties in resolving disputes. Prior to a contested matter being heard, the Judge will order counsel and the parties to attend Family Relations in order to attempt to resolve the dispute. Meeting with Family Relations is generally mandatory.
What Happens if Family Relations is Unsuccessful?
Absent an agreement at Family Relations or otherwise, a Judge will need to conduct a full evidentiary hearing, after which he or she will render a decision, which could take up to one hundred and twenty days.
Will my Motion be Reached at Short Calendar? What Happens if it is not Reached?
Short Calendar is reserved for “short” matters, typically those that will take about an hour or less. If your matter is expected to take more than one hour, a judge will likely request that a date certain is obtained. A date certain is a non-Short Calendar day on which the motion will be heard.
At Broder Orland Murray & DeMattie LLC, we attend Short Calendar throughout Connecticut, including Stamford, Bridgeport, Danbury, New Haven, and Hartford. Our skilled attorneys will ensure that you are adequately prepared for when your motion appears on the Short Calendar.
