Connecticut General Statutes
Chapter 876 - Attorneys
Section 51-85. - Authority and powers of commissioners of the Superior Court.

Each attorney-at-law admitted to practice within the state, while in good standing, shall be a commissioner of the Superior Court and, in such capacity, may, within the state, sign writs and subpoenas, take recognizances, administer oaths and take depositions and acknowledgments of deeds. Each such attorney may also issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and subpoenas duces tecum in administrative proceedings. If, in any administrative proceeding, any person disobeys such subpoena or, having appeared in obedience thereto, refuses to answer any proper and pertinent question or refuses to produce any books, papers or documents pursuant thereto, application may be made to the Superior Court or any judge thereof for an order compelling obedience.

(1949 Rev., S. 7648; P.A. 77-386, S. 1, 2; P.A. 78-280, S. 80, 127.)
History: P.A. 77-386 authorized issuance of subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum and added provision re application for order compelling obedience where person disobeys subpoena or fails to answer questions, etc.; P.A. 78-280 required that application for order compelling obedience be made to superior court rather than to court of common pleas, fulfilling requirements of P.A. 76-436 which transferred functions of common pleas court to superior court.
A woman may be appointed. 50 C. 136. The signing of a writ by a lawyer as a commissioner of the Superior Court is not a mere ministerial act; a writ of mandamus to compel the signing will not be granted. 142 C. 411. Cited. 162 C. 255; 171 C. 705; 180 C. 243; 197 C. 507; 207 C. 77; 222 C. 541; 223 C. 618.
Cited. 9 CA 825; 25 CA 543; judgment reversed, see 222 C. 541; 38 CA 555.
Court refused to consider claim that town attorney had authority to apply for order compelling obedience where claim not made to trial court. 35 CS 668. Cited. 42 CS 602.

Structure Connecticut General Statutes

Connecticut General Statutes

Title 51 - Courts

Chapter 876 - Attorneys

Section 51-80. - Admission.

Section 51-80a. - Regulation of foreign legal consultants.

Section 51-81. - Investigation of qualifications of applicants for admission to the bar.

Section 51-81a. - Certificate of registration. Fee. Renewal.

Section 51-81b. - Occupational tax on attorneys. Collection procedure. State lien against real estate as security for tax. Interest on unpaid tax. Attorneys who are not liable for tax. Administration.

Section 51-81c. - Program for use of interest on lawyers' clients' funds accounts. Applicability to entities that establish certain accounts to receive loan proceeds from a mortgage lender.

Section 51-81d. - Client Security Fund.

Section 51-81h. - Escrow agreement not invalid when attorney-at-law, law firm or agent is escrow holder.

Section 51-82 and 51-83. - Admission to examination of attorneys admitted to practice in other states. Examination of veterans for admission.

Section 51-84. - Attorneys subject to rules.

Section 51-85. - Authority and powers of commissioners of the Superior Court.

Section 51-86. - Soliciting persons to institute actions for damages.

Section 51-87. - Solicitation of cases for attorneys.

Section 51-87a. - Limitations on written communications to prospective clients.

Section 51-87b. - Attorneys and persons affiliated with attorneys prohibited from referring persons to real estate brokers, salespersons, or mortgage brokers or lenders, for fee or commission. Penalties.

Section 51-88. - Practice of law by persons not admitted as attorneys. Exceptions.

Section 51-88a. - Practice of law by persons not admitted as attorneys. Real estate closings.

Section 51-89. - State marshal or constable not to act as attorney in court.

Section 51-89a. - Complaint and hearing required for suspension or disbarment.

Section 51-90. - State-Wide Grievance Committee. Appointment, qualifications and terms of members.

Section 51-90a. - Powers and duties of State-Wide Grievance Committee.

Section 51-90b. - Grievance panels. Appointment, qualifications and terms of members.

Section 51-90c. - State-Wide Bar Counsel.

Section 51-90d. - Grievance counsel and investigators. Powers and duties of grievance counsel.

Section 51-90e. - Filing of complaint alleging attorney misconduct. Referral to grievance panel.

Section 51-90f. - Investigation and determination by grievance panel of attorney misconduct.

Section 51-90g. - Review of panel's determination by subcommittee or State-Wide Grievance Committee.

Section 51-90h. - Decision of State-Wide Grievance Committee.

Section 51-91. - Compelling testimony of witnesses. Contempt.

Section 51-91a. - Hearing re eligibility to continue practice of law for attorney convicted of felony. Order. Suspension. Appointment of trustee.

Section 51-91b. - Applicability of grievance procedures. Transfer of pending matters.

Section 51-91c. - Posting of signs concerning attorney grievance procedures.

Section 51-92. - Grievance committees; fees and expenses.

Section 51-93. - Reinstatement of attorneys.

Section 51-94. - Evidence in proceedings to suspend, displace or remove attorneys-at-law.

Section 51-94a. - Limitation on liability of attorney appointed to inventory files and protect interests of clients of inactive, suspended, disbarred, deceased or resigned attorney.