New Britain Judicial District
Standing Trial Management Orders
Fully and Limited Contested Dissolution Trials
and All Family Matters Hearings
Hon. Linda Pearce Prestley, Presiding Judge - Family

The following constitute the Standing Orders of the Court with respect to all family matters scheduled for trial/hearing.

Trial/Hearing Management Order

Counsel and pro se parties in all trials and specially assigned hearings are ordered to submit to the Family Clerk, one week prior to the assigned trial/hearing date, and exchange with the opposing party, documents in compliance with this Trial Management Order. Only one packet is to be submitted to Caseflow by each party. The compliance shall contain the following documents:

1.         Current sworn financial affidavits, which include detailed income statements, a complete list of liabilities, fair market value of all assets and current value of all retirement and employment benefits.

2.         A list of pending motions, including the number of the motion, that the submitting party wishes to pose to the court.

3.         Any motions in limine.

4.         A list setting forth the names and addresses of each witness to be called at trial, including the relationship of each witness to the case (e.g., party, fact witness, expert); and the subject matter of the expected testimony of that witness.  Witnesses not listed will not be allowed to testify except for good cause shown.

            N. B.  This order does not supersede or change the requirements of P.B. Rule 13-4 as to the manner and time for expert witness disclosure.

5.         A list of exhibits reasonably expected to be introduced, indexed by number for plaintiff (i.e., Plaintiff’s 1) and letter for defendant (i.e., Defendant’s A). The list shall briefly describe each exhibit. The actual exhibits shall not be sent to the Caseflow Office but shall be exchanged by the parties at this time. Exhibits not listed and exchanged with counsel will not be admissible except for good cause shown. Counsel are to report to the courtroom clerk at 9:15 a.m. in order to complete the marking of exhibits for the trial.

6.         If custody and visitation are agreed upon, a written and signed stipulation should be provided detailing the agreement signed by the parties.
 

The following are to be accomplished on the Day of Trial:

1.         Written identification of all anticipated evidentiary disputes, including objections to exhibits, citations of authority for any unusual issues, with a short statement as to the holding of any applicable cases, and copies of all unpublished cases.

2.         Written proposed orders (Conn. Prac. Bk Sec. 25-30) which shall be comprehensive and shall set forth the party’s requested relief, including where applicable, the following:

a.      a parenting plan;

b.      child support;

c.      alimony;

d.      medical insurance;

e.      life insurance;

f.        property division;

g.      division of retirement benefits;

h.      division of liabilities;

i.        tax issues;

j.        counsel fees.

3.         The following documents, where applicable:

a.   dissolution of marriage report;

b.   affidavit concerning children;

c.   child support guidelines worksheet;

d.   advisement of rights form;

e.   certificate of attendance at parenting education (if not already a part of the court file).

*************************************************************************************

• Variations from this order may be made only with the approval of the court. 
• All trials/hearings will commence promptly as scheduled. Proceedings will not be delayed to allow for further negotiations between the parties, however the parties are encouraged to continue any ongoing negotiations during recesses or other breaks in the proceedings.  
• Absent good cause shown, failure to comply with this Standing Order will result in the imposition of sanctions at the request of either party or sua sponte as the court deems appropriate.  
• Prior approval must be obtained from the presiding judge for the use of special equipment at trial (i.e. blackboard, video equipment, tape recorders, etc.). Counsel/parties are advised they must provide such equipment.