Connecticut § 51-209 - Majority of judges on panel to concur in decision. Procedure when court evenly divided.

Full text of Connecticut Connecticut General Statutes § 51-209 — Majority of judges on panel to concur in decision. Procedure when court evenly divided., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 51-209. Majority of judges on panel to concur in decision. Procedure when court evenly divided.

Sec. 51-209. Majority of judges on panel to concur in decision. Procedure when court evenly divided. No ruling, judgment or decree of any court may be reversed, affirmed, sustained, modified or in any other manner affected by the Supreme Court or the Appellate Court unless a majority of the judges on the panel hearing the cause concur in the decision. No cause reserved, where no verdict has been rendered, judgment given or decree passed, shall be determined unless a majority of the judges on the panel hearing the cause concur in the decision. Whenever the Supreme Court is evenly divided as to the result, the court shall reconsider the case, with or without oral argument, with an odd number of judges. If the court reconsiders the case without oral argument, the judges who did not hear oral argument shall have available to them the electronic recording or transcript of the oral argument before participating in the decision. If a judge who is a member of a panel is not present for oral argument, the judge shall have available to him or her the electronic recording or transcript of the oral argument.

(1949 Rev., S. 7683; P.A. 82-248, S. 110; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 83-29, S. 68, 82; P.A. 10-43, S. 4.)

History: P.A. 82-248 substituted “may” for “shall”; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 83-29 added reference to appellate court, added “affirmed, sustained, modified or in any manner affected”, deleted language re equal division of judges and casting vote of the chief justice, and added language requiring a majority of judges to concur in decision and reargument before full panel when case argued before even number of judges and court is evenly divided as result; P.A. 10-43 provided that it is majority of judges on panel who must concur in decision, deleted provision requiring reargument before full panel when case is argued before even number of judges and court is evenly divided as to result, added provision requiring reconsideration, with or without oral argument, with odd number of judges when court evenly divided as to result, and added provisions re availability of electronic recording or transcript of oral argument.

Source: official Connecticut text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Connecticut § 51-209

What does Connecticut General Statutes § 51-209 cover?

Section 51-209 ("Majority of judges on panel to concur in decision. Procedure when court evenly divided.") is part of the Connecticut General Statutes, the codified statutory law of Connecticut. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Connecticut § 51-209?

A common citation format is "Connecticut General Statutes § 51-209" (Connecticut). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Connecticut law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Connecticut official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Connecticut attorney.

How does Connecticut § 51-209 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Connecticut can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Connecticut.