Find Civil Records in New Britain

New Britain civil court records are filed and stored at the New Britain Judicial District Superior Court in Hartford County. All civil litigation for New Britain goes through this courthouse, which serves ten towns in central Connecticut. You can search for case information online through the state system or visit the court in person at 20 Franklin Square. The Superior Court keeps all civil filings, motions, orders, and judgments on file. Access to these records is open to the public under Connecticut law. Most records are available online within a day of filing, though some older cases may need a clerk to pull from storage in New Britain.

New Britain Superior Court

The New Britain Judicial District Superior Court is where all civil cases for New Britain are filed. This court sits in the heart of New Britain at 20 Franklin Square. The Chief Clerk's office handles all filings, provides copies, and answers questions about civil cases. Office hours run from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. for early visitors.

This court serves ten towns in Hartford County. Besides New Britain, it covers Berlin, Bristol, Burlington, Newington, Plainville, Plymouth, Rocky Hill, Southington, and Wethersfield. If you live in any of these places, you file civil cases at the New Britain courthouse. The courthouse is downtown with street parking and a municipal lot across the street. Public transit serves the area well with several bus routes stopping nearby.

Note: The Geographical Area No. 15 court shares the same address as the Judicial District court in New Britain.

How to Search Civil Records Online

Connecticut offers a free online civil case search at civilinquiry.jud.ct.gov. This system covers all Superior Courts, including New Britain. You can search by party name, attorney name, or case number. Results show case status, filing date, and docket entries. The system updates daily with new filings from New Britain and other courts.

When you search for a New Britain civil case, the system shows you the parties, the judge, and recent court activity. You can see upcoming hearings and past motions. Some entries link to scanned documents, though not all courts have full document imaging yet. This tool works well for basic case research in New Britain.

The Judicial Branch also runs an attorney and firm lookup tool. Use this to find all cases involving a specific lawyer or law firm in New Britain. This can help if you know the attorney's name but not the case number. Results list every case where that attorney appeared, making it easy to track civil litigation in New Britain.

Requesting Copies of Court Files

For disposed cases in New Britain, you can request files from the Superior Court Records Center. Email your request to SuperiorCourtRecordsCenter@jud.ct.gov or call 860-263-2750. Include the case name and docket number. You can find the docket number through the online case lookup system for New Britain cases.

Files are ready in one or two business days. You can get them by email for free if the file is small. Larger files must be picked up at a courthouse. You can choose any court location or go to the Centralized Services Unit in Hartford. Copy and certification charges apply when you pick up files. Some files need proof of ID before release.

Active cases in New Britain are at the courthouse. Visit the clerk's office to view the file or request copies. Copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies have a higher fee for the seal and signature. The clerk can make copies while you wait if the file is thin. Thick files may take a day to copy in New Britain.

Types of Civil Cases in New Britain

The New Britain Superior Court hears all civil matters. Contract cases are common. These include business disputes, construction claims, and debt collection. Personal injury lawsuits over car crashes, slip and falls, and medical issues also go through this court. Property disputes about land, boundaries, and ownership are another big category in New Britain.

Foreclosure cases have their own docket. Banks file these when homeowners cannot pay their mortgages. The court holds hearings and can order a sale of the property. Foreclosure records are public and searchable online in New Britain. Landlord-tenant cases go to the housing session. This includes evictions and security deposit disputes. Most housing cases move fast with hearings set within weeks of filing.

Small claims court in New Britain handles disputes up to $5,000. Home improvement contract claims can go up to $15,000. The process is simpler than regular civil court. You fill out a form, pay a small fee, and attend a hearing. No lawyer is required. The judge hears both sides and makes a ruling the same day. Small claims records are part of the public file in New Britain.

Court Service Center Resources

New Britain has a Court Service Center inside the courthouse. This center helps people without lawyers. Staff can show you how to fill out forms, use the computers, and file documents. They do not give legal advice but can point you to resources. The service center has computers, printers, a copier, and a fax machine for public use.

The center also provides access to statewide calendar and docket info for civil cases. You can check hearing dates and see what is on the docket in New Britain and other courts. Notary services are available at most centers. Some have bilingual staff to help Spanish speakers and others. All services are free to use during regular hours.

For more help, contact the Court Service Center system at Court.ServiceCenter@jud.ct.gov. The manager is Rose Ann Rush and can be reached at (203) 965-5288. Most centers are open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays. Legal holidays are closed days across all Court Service Centers in New Britain and the state.

Forms and E-Filing in New Britain

All official court forms are on the Judicial Branch website at jud.ct.gov/webforms. Forms are sorted by type like civil, family, and small claims. You can search for a form by name or number. Each form has instructions. Print them out and bring them to the courthouse or fill them on your computer first to save time in New Britain.

E-filing is available through the Judicial Branch E-Services portal. This lets you file civil documents online instead of going to the courthouse in New Britain. You create an account, upload your papers, and pay the fee online. The system sends a confirmation when your filing is complete. E-filing works for most civil case types in New Britain.

Small claims forms are in a separate section at jud.ct.gov/SmallClaims.htm. The site explains the process, limits, and where to file in New Britain. You can also e-file small claims cases through the same portal. This option saves a trip to the courthouse for New Britain residents.

Legal Help in New Britain

Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut offers free help to low-income people. They handle civil cases like housing, family law, and consumer issues. If you qualify, they can represent you or give advice. Their website is slsct.org with self-help guides and legal forms for New Britain residents.

Connecticut Legal Services also provides assistance in New Britain. They have offices across the state and help with many civil matters. Call their intake line to see if you qualify. They can explain your rights and help you prepare for court. This is a good option if you cannot afford a lawyer in New Britain.

The Connecticut Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. This connects you with local attorneys who practice in New Britain courts. The first consultation is often at a reduced rate. You can find a lawyer experienced in your type of civil case. Call the referral service or visit their website to get matched with an attorney in New Britain.

• Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut
• Connecticut Legal Services intake
• Connecticut Bar Association referral
• Court Service Center self-help
• Local legal aid offices