reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
CT Gen Stat § 52-238 (2020)
2020 Connecticut General Statutes|Title 52 - Civil Actions|Chapter 901 - Damages, Costs and Fees|Section 52-238 - Damages in actions on penal bonds.

 (a) In any action on a penal bond, containing any condition which has been broken, such damages only shall be assessed as are equitably due, and judgment shall not be rendered for the whole penalty, unless it appears to be due.(b) If, upon a bond with conditions the breach of which may happen at different times, an action is brought upon the first breach, the court, upon finding a forfeiture of the bond, shall render judgment for what is due in equity at the time, with costs, and award execution. Upon any further or other breach of condition, the obligee, his executors or administrators may take out a scire facias against the obligor, his executors or administrators, from the clerk of the court in which the judgment was given, to show cause why execution should not be awarded for the money then due, or damages then sustained. The court shall thereupon render judgment for what appears to be due in equity and grant execution thereon, and may so render judgment and grant execution, from time to time, until the condition is fully performed. The whole amount of the judgments shall not exceed the penalty of the bond with interest.(1949 Rev., S. 7984; P.A. 82-160, S. 222.)History: P.A. 82-160 rephrased the section and inserted Subsec. indicators.A tender of the amount justly due on a bond, though less than its face, is good. 2 C. 662. No judgment can be rendered on any bond for more than the penalty, with interest. 4 D. 36. Interest on probate bond may run from time of demand. 38 C. 324. Statute does not apply to actions of replevin. 48 C. 140. A technical breach of bond resulting in no damage is not ground for a new trial. 60 C. 482. Cited. 71 C. 452. Right to chancer a bond exists only where liability is admitted. 72 C. 607. Applies to recognizance or bond made to release attachment. 74 C. 175. Scope of equities considered. Id., 338; 77 C. 70. Applies to obligations of surety. 78 C. 698. When recovery not limited to penalty. 81 C. 252. Same doctrine applied to penalty stated in injunction. 83 C. 427. Does not apply to criminal bond. Id., 686. Legal interest as measure of damages where impossible to ascertain profits made by improper use of trust funds. 120 C. 337. To be available in defense to suit on probate bond, credits for payments to creditors and legatees must have been authenticated by Probate Court through settlement of executor's account. 124 C. 111. Cited. 128 C. 322. Damages “equitably due” means “justly due”. 148 C. 569. Cited. 177 C. 527.Cited. 19 CS 130. Recovery limited to amount of bond, with possible addition of interest. Id., 457.
CT Gen Stat § 52-239 (2020)
2020 Connecticut General Statutes|Title 52 - Civil Actions|Chapter 901 - Damages, Costs and Fees|Section 52-239 - When broadcasting stations, networks, CATV systems liable for defamation.

 The owner, licensee or operator of a visual or sound radio broadcasting station or network of stations, or the agents or employees of any such owner, licensee or operator of such a station or network of stations, or the owner, licensee or operator of a community antenna television system, or the agents or employees of any such owner of a community antenna television system, shall not be liable for any damages for any defamatory statement uttered over the facilities of the station, network or community antenna television system by or on behalf of a candidate for public office or by any other person. This section shall not apply to any such owner, licensee, operator, agent or employee who wilfully, knowingly and with intent to defame participates in the broadcast of a defamatory statement.(1955, S. 3191d; P.A. 75-120; P.A. 82-160, S. 220.)History: P.A. 75-120 applied provisions to owners, licensees or operators of community antenna television systems and to their agents or employees; P.A. 82-160 rephrased the section.
CT Gen Stat § 52-240 (2020)
2020 Connecticut General Statutes|Title 52 - Civil Actions|Chapter 901 - Damages, Costs and Fees|Section 52-240 - Effect of damages on costs.

 (a) In any action founded on tort tried in the Superior Court, if the damages found do not exceed fifty dollars, the plaintiff shall recover no more costs than damages, subject to the provisions of this section.(b) If the title to property, or a right-of-way, or to the use of water, is in question, or if the damages were reduced so as not to exceed fifty dollars by reason of an act of the defendant pending the action, the plaintiff shall recover full costs.(c) Judgment for nominal damages upon a hearing after a default or a demurrer overruled shall entitle the party in whose favor damages are given to the full taxable costs of the action.(1949 Rev., S. 7985; 1959, P.A. 28, S. 117; 1963, P.A. 642, S. 53; P.A. 74-183, S. 89, 291; P.A. 76-436, S. 135, 681; P.A. 82-160, S. 127.)History: 1959 act substituted circuit court for municipal court; 1963 act deleted stipulation section apply only to tort actions not brought to courts on appeal; P.A. 74-183 removed actions tried in circuit court from purview of section, reflecting transfer of circuit court functions to court of common pleas, effective December 31, 1974; P.A. 76-436 removed actions tried in court of common pleas from purview of section, reflecting transfer of all trial jurisdiction to superior court, effective July 1, 1978; P.A. 82-160 rephrased provisions and added Subsec. indicators.See Sec. 47-41 re consideration of notice as disturbance of right.The title or right must be so brought in question that the record may show that it was decided. 1 R. 525; 18 C. 394; 52 C. 255; 54 C. 57, 58. If brought up under a plea and notice, it may be sufficient. 21 C. 80. Trespass qu. cl. fr. 21 C. 80; 25 C. 249. Case for diversion of water. 36 C. 151. Payment, pending suit. 19 C. 529; 39 C. 462. Return of property, pending suit. 1 R. 136. Retrospective law. 30 C. 326. “Default” and “demurrer overruled” have different meanings. 63 C. 266. Applied where count in tort beyond jurisdiction of court was added to count in tort and verdict was rendered for $1 damages; 79 C. 305; and to action on statute for killing registered dog; 80 C. 435; or for bite of dog. 86 C. 710. Though charter of city gives its court same powers as justices of the peace, section applies. 80 C. 437. Amendment of 1907 held to apply to pending case. 81 C. 216. Nominal damages. 119 C. 496. Cited. 218 C. 309.Tort defined. 7 CS 521.
CT Gen Stat § 52-240a (2020)
2020 Connecticut General Statutes|Title 52 - Civil Actions|Chapter 901 - Damages, Costs and Fees|Section 52-240a - Award of attorney's fees in product liability action.

 If the court determines that the claim or defense is frivolous, the court may award reasonable attorney's fees to the prevailing party in a products liability action.(P.A. 79-483, S. 7.)Cited. 187 C. 363; 210 C. 189; 239 C. 284; 240 C. 58. “Prevailing party” defined; section permits attorneys' fees to be awarded following acceptance of an offer of judgment under Sec. 52-194. 258 C. 299.Cited. 16 CA 558.Cited. 39 CS 132.
CT Gen Stat § 52-240b (2020)
2020 Connecticut General Statutes|Title 52 - Civil Actions|Chapter 901 - Damages, Costs and Fees|Section 52-240b - Punitive damages in product liability actions.

 Punitive damages may be awarded if the claimant proves that the harm suffered was the result of the product seller's reckless disregard for the safety of product users, consumers or others who were injured by the product. If the trier of fact determines that punitive damages should be awarded, the court shall determine the amount of such damages not to exceed an amount equal to twice the damages awarded to the plaintiff.(P.A. 79-483, S. 8.)Cited. 187 C. 363; 210 C. 189; 212 C. 509; 221 C. 674; 241 C. 199; 243 C. 168. Punitive damages awarded under this section are not measured by common-law rule, which limits punitive damages to the costs of litigation less taxable costs. 324 C. 402.Cited. 8 CA 642; 16 CA 558; 43 CA 1. Section permits award of punitive damages in connection with a product liability claim involving damage to property only; punitive damages are awarded when the evidence shows a reckless indifference to the rights of others or an intentional or wanton violation of those rights. 149 CA 839.Legislative meaning attributed to words “claimant” and “harm”, in Sec. 52-572m(c) and (d) are sufficiently broad to permit an award of punitive damages in connection with a product liability claim involving only damage to property. 39 CS 269. Cited. 42 CS 153.
CT Gen Stat § 52-243 (2020)
2020 Connecticut General Statutes|Title 52 - Civil Actions|Chapter 901 - Damages, Costs and Fees|Section 52-243 - Costs when plaintiff is partly successful.

 If a verdict is found on any issue joined in an action in favor of the plaintiff, costs shall be allowed to him, though on some other issue the defendant should be entitled to judgment, unless the court which tried the issue is of the opinion that the defendant had probable cause to plead the matter found against him.(1949 Rev., S. 7988; P.A. 82-160, S. 118.)History: P.A. 82-160 replaced “the cause” with “an action” and rephrased the section.Practice act changed former method of pleading defenses. 67 C. 377. Cited. 71 C. 198; 192 C. 301.Section provides for costs only after a verdict in the trial court, not for costs arising from a prior appeal in which plaintiff prevailed in the Supreme Court. 187 CA 486.
CT Gen Stat § 52-244 (2020)
2020 Connecticut General Statutes|Title 52 - Civil Actions|Chapter 901 - Damages, Costs and Fees|Section 52-244 - When plaintiff not to recover costs.

 Costs shall not be recovered by the plaintiff in any case in which he has begun an action with counts in fraud only and afterwards amends his complaint by substituting or adding counts in contract. In such case the defendant shall recover his taxable costs, and the court may, in its discretion, tax double costs in favor of the defendant.(1949 Rev., S. 7989; P.A. 82-160, S. 119.)History: P.A. 82-160 rephrased the section.Cited. 63 C. 370.
CT Gen Stat § 52-245 (2020)
2020 Connecticut General Statutes|Title 52 - Civil Actions|Chapter 901 - Damages, Costs and Fees|Section 52-245 - False statement concerning defense. Costs.

 In any case in which an affidavit has been filed by the defendant, or a statement that he has a bona fide defense has been made to the court by his attorney, and the plaintiff recovers judgment, if the court is of the opinion that such affidavit was filed or statement made without just cause or for the purpose of delay, it may allow to the plaintiff, at its discretion, double costs, together with a reasonable counsel fee to be taxed by the court.(1949 Rev., S. 7990.)Cited. 186 C. 673.Cited. 4 CA 669.Award of double costs and counsel fee under section is in trial court's discretion and its decision will not be disturbed on appeal. 5 Conn. Cir. Ct. 150.
CT Gen Stat § 52-246 (2020)
2020 Connecticut General Statutes|Title 52 - Civil Actions|Chapter 901 - Damages, Costs and Fees|Section 52-246 - Costs for service by indifferent person.

 Costs shall not be taxed, without the written consent of the defendant, for service by an indifferent person of process commencing a civil action, if the court before which it is returnable finds that no sufficient reason existed for the deputation of an indifferent person to serve the process.(1949 Rev., S. 7991; P.A. 82-160, S. 120.)History: P.A. 82-160 rephrased the section.
CT Gen Stat § 52-247 (2020)
2020 Connecticut General Statutes|Title 52 - Civil Actions|Chapter 901 - Damages, Costs and Fees|Section 52-247 - Officer's fees on foreign attachment when garnishee not cited in.

 In any action commenced by process of foreign attachment or garnishment in which any garnishee is not cited in to disclose, the court may tax and allow, or disallow, all or any part of the fees of the officer for service of the writ upon the garnishee. The fees, if disallowed by the court, shall be paid to the officer by the plaintiff.(1949 Rev., S. 7992; P.A. 82-160, S. 121.)History: P.A. 82-160 added “or garnishment” after “foreign attachment” and made minor technical changes.
CT Gen Stat § 52-248 (2020)
2020 Connecticut General Statutes|Title 52 - Civil Actions|Chapter 901 - Damages, Costs and Fees|Section 52-248 - Costs when there are more civil actions than necessary.

 When two or more civil actions are pending in the same court at the same time for the recovery of the same demand, or against two or more officers, upon receipts for executions arising from the same original judgment, the court shall not allow any costs in any such action, unless it is of the opinion that the commencement of all of the actions was necessary to secure the demand.(1949 Rev., S. 7993; P.A. 82-160, S. 122.)History: P.A. 82-160 replaced “suits” with “civil actions” or “actions”, and “suit” with “action”.
CT Gen Stat § 52-249a (2020)
2020 Connecticut General Statutes|Title 52 - Civil Actions|Chapter 901 - Damages, Costs and Fees|Section 52-249a - Costs and attorney's fee in action upon a bond substituted for a mechanic's lien.

 A plaintiff who prevails in any action upon a bond which has been substituted for a mechanic's lien shall be allowed costs and a reasonable attorney's fee.(P.A. 07-120, S. 1.)Plaintiff is not entitled to attorney's fees under section, which was enacted after plaintiff filed mechanic's lien and substituted bond in lieu thereof, because legislature is presumed to have intended prospective application only as section creates a new substantive right and is not merely clarifying legislation. 119 CA 423.
CT Gen Stat § 52-250 (2020)
2020 Connecticut General Statutes|Title 52 - Civil Actions|Chapter 901 - Damages, Costs and Fees|Section 52-250 - Costs of application to dissolve injunction.

 The costs of an application to dissolve an injunction may be allowed and taxed by the court, according to its discretion, in making the final decree. In any action in which a motion for the dissolution of a temporary injunction is heard before any judge when the court is not in session, the judge shall be entitled to be paid a reasonable sum for his time and expenses by the party moving for the dissolution, which shall be taxed in the bill of costs in the same manner as other costs in actions for equitable relief.(1949 Rev., S. 7996; P.A. 82-160, S. 124; P.A. 83-587, S. 63, 96.)History: P.A. 82-160 rephrased the section; P.A. 83-587 made a technical amendment.Judgment for costs upon withdrawal is a “final decree”; taxation of costs allowable within the discretion of the court is not reviewable. 62 C. 490.
CT Gen Stat § 52-251 (2020)
2020 Connecticut General Statutes|Title 52 - Civil Actions|Chapter 901 - Damages, Costs and Fees|Section 52-251 - Expenses and counsel fees in action to construe will or for advice concerning will or trust.

 In any action brought to a court of equitable jurisdiction for the construction of a will or for the advice of the court as to the administration of an estate or trust under a will or trust instrument, by any person acting in a fiduciary capacity thereunder, there shall be allowed to each of the parties to the proceeding such reasonable sum for expenses and counsel fees as the court, in its discretion, deems equitable. The allowance shall be taxed as costs in the action, to be paid out of the estate.(1949 Rev., S. 7997; 1955, S. 3190d; P.A. 82-160, S. 125.)History: P.A. 82-160 rephrased the section.When expenses of litigation not payable out of estate. 50 C. 577. After settlement and distribution, executor cannot maintain a suit for construction of the will. 60 C. 398. Suit can properly be brought only by an executor or trustee claiming under the will. 63 C. 309. Provision de expenses and counsel fees is merely declaratory of existing rules of chancery practice. 65 C. 175. Where decree of lower court in part affirmed, remanding case with directions to enter judgment, with provision for allowance and costs. Id., 183. The determination of the amount to be allowed for expenses and counsel fees is a judicial matter for the court; it cannot be left to the clerk or to the parties. 72 C. 32. Cited. Id., 328. Where suit involved only one-third of estate, costs were imposed on that third. Id., 494. Trial court, in giving judgment, cannot reserve right to make allowances in case of an appeal. 82 C. 195. Costs taxed against entire estate. 102 C. 508. Against entire residuary estate. 105 C. 756. Superior Court has no power to allow counsel fees in contest over admission of will. 131 C. 224. No abuse of discretion in amount allowed by court as counsel fees. 137 C. 516. General estate liable for expenses and counsel fees; if action relates to particular property or fund, equitable principles apply. 141 C. 163. Appeals from decree of Probate Court not proceedings embraced within statute. 153 C. 490, 500. Court may not retain jurisdiction by stating in its judgment that determination of expense and counsel fee allowance would take place later. 154 C. 352, 362. Expenses and counsel fees of parties not allowed where trustee sought advice as to transactions extraneous to trust instrument on which claims were based. 157 C. 315. Plea for advice as to distribution of trust renders trust estate subject to provisions of statute. 160 C. 250. Cited. 161 C. 312; 183 C. 85; 212 C. 678.Cited. 7 CS 235. In action by executor seeking determination of ownership of certain savings accounts, counsel fees cannot be awarded. 16 CS 391. Counsel fees in action for construction of will not chargeable against portion of will as to which there is no ambiguity. 17 CS 44. Cited. 42 CS 474.
CT Gen Stat § 52-251a (2020)
2020 Connecticut General Statutes|Title 52 - Civil Actions|Chapter 901 - Damages, Costs and Fees|Section 52-251a - Costs, attorney's fees on small claims matter transferred to regular docket.

 Whenever the plaintiff prevails in a small claims matter which was transferred to the regular docket in the Superior Court on the motion of the defendant, the court may allow to the plaintiff his costs, together with reasonable attorney's fees to be taxed by the court.(P.A. 73-52; P.A. 74-183, S. 167, 291; P.A. 76-436, S. 146, 681.)History: P.A. 74-183 replaced circuit court with court of common pleas, effective December 31, 1974; P.A. 76-436 replaced court of common pleas with superior court, effective July 1, 1978.Cited. 206 C. 542; 216 C. 85; 220 C. 162.Cited. 12 CA 353. Standard of review of award of attorney's fees discussed; court did not abuse its discretion in determining that $3,500 covered reasonable attorney's fees in case where plaintiff's small claims action was for the payment of $2,500 in promised bonuses and plaintiff requested $20,874 in attorney's fees; section expressly limits recovery to reasonable fees, not the amount that was actually expended. 61 CA 60. Pro se litigants are not entitled to attorney's fees. 79 CA 366. Trial court award of attorney's fees to plaintiff upheld in matter that originated in small claims session but was ultimately transferred to complex litigation docket; purpose of statute is to deter defendants from transferring a case from small claims session and turning a relatively clear cut case into a pitched legal battle. 87 CA 687. Does not require that a party be more sophisticated than the opposing party or that a party prevail on every claim. 95 CA 652. Essential elements of section enumerated; section contains no requirement for a finding of identifiable misconduct warranting application thereof; whether to award attorney's fees and costs pursuant to section is a matter left to the sound discretion of the trial court. 161 CA 525. Defendants' decision to transfer case to the regular docket in order to file counterclaims seeking damages in excess of five thousand dollars rather than leave matter on the small claims docket and forgo raising the counterclaims was not involuntary and, therefore, rendered section applicable. 167 CA 36.Cited. 33 CS 609. Court abused its discretion by awarding “reasonable attorneys' fees” of $300 after finding at least 50 hours of preparation were required and that reasonable rate of compensation for legal services at that time was $40 per hour. 36 CS 619. Cited. 37 CS 574; Id., 873.
CT Gen Stat § 52-251b (2020)
2020 Connecticut General Statutes|Title 52 - Civil Actions|Chapter 901 - Damages, Costs and Fees|Section 52-251b - Costs and attorney's fees in action for deprivation of civil rights.

 (a) In any civil action to recover damages for injury to the person or to real or personal property arising out of a violation of section 46a-58, the court may allow the prevailing party his costs, together with a reasonable attorney's fee to be taxed by the court.(b) The provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall not be deemed: (1) To create a new cause of action against any individual, the state or any municipality, or against any officer, official or employee of the state or any municipality; or (2) to confer any new jurisdiction upon the Superior Court in any action against any individual, the state or any municipality or any officer, official or employee thereof.(P.A. 84-36, S. 1, 2.)Cited. 204 C. 17; 216 C. 85.
CT Gen Stat § 52-251d (2020)
2020 Connecticut General Statutes|Title 52 - Civil Actions|Chapter 901 - Damages, Costs and Fees|Section 52-251d - Attorney's fees in action to establish paternity or establish, modify or enforce child support orders in temporary family assistance cases.

 (a) In any civil action to establish paternity or to establish, modify or enforce child support orders in temporary family assistance cases pursuant to sections 17b-745, 46b-86, 46b-160, 46b-171, 46b-172, 46b-215 and 46b-231, the court may allow the state, when it is the prevailing party, a reasonable attorney's fee.(b) The provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall not be deemed: (1) To create a new cause of action against any individual; or (2) to confer any new jurisdiction upon the Superior Court in any action against any individual.(P.A. 92-253, S. 9; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-1, S. 70, 75; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 109, 165; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-7, S. 27, 38; P.A. 11-214, S. 30.)History: June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-1 deleted reference to Sec. 46b-180 in Subsec. (a) and made a technical change in Subsec. (b), effective January 1, 1998; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 replaced reference to “AFDC” with “TANF” in Subsec. (a), effective July 1, 1997; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-7 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing reference to Sec. 17b-748 with Sec. 17b-745, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 11-214 amended Subsec. (a) to substitute “temporary family assistance” for “TANF”.
CT Gen Stat § 52-252 (2020)
2020 Connecticut General Statutes|Title 52 - Civil Actions|Chapter 901 - Damages, Costs and Fees|Section 52-252 - Costs for nonappearance of party giving notice of deposition.

 When a notice is given to an adverse party or his known agent or attorney, or left at his usual place of abode, that a deposition will be taken at a certain time and place, and the adverse party, or his agent or attorney, appears at such time and place for that purpose and the party giving notice does not appear or for any reason does not take the deposition at such time and place, costs shall be allowed to the adverse party at the discretion of the court before which the action is pending.(1949 Rev., S. 7998; P.A. 82-160, S. 126.)History: P.A. 82-160 replaced “such” with “the” where appearing.Decree of Probate Court not an “action” within meaning of statute. 271 C. 531.
CT Gen Stat § 52-253 (2020)
2020 Connecticut General Statutes|Title 52 - Civil Actions|Chapter 901 - Damages, Costs and Fees|Section 52-253 - Costs in suit against manufacturers for nuisance.

 Costs upon a complaint against a manufacturer under section 52-481, to abate or discontinue a nuisance, may be taxed at the discretion of the court.(1949 Rev., S. 7999.)
CT Gen Stat § 52-254 (2020)
2020 Connecticut General Statutes|Title 52 - Civil Actions|Chapter 901 - Damages, Costs and Fees|Section 52-254 - Costs in amicable suit.

 All costs incurred in any amicable suit, under chapter 908, shall be borne equally by the contesting parties.(1949 Rev., S. 8000.)