CT HB07300

Establishes the Connecticut Center for Commercial Claims as a special Superior Court session effective October 1, 2017, for resolving commercial cases involving claims exceeding $500,000.

Defines "commercial cases" to include breach of contract, fraud, Uniform Commercial Code transactions, commercial real property, shareholder derivative actions, business malpractice, commercial insurance disputes, and dissolution of business entities, excluding employment discrimination claims.

Allows parties to jointly transfer commercial cases to the center by written agreement; assesses parties a $25 per diem fee per day the case is pending, with fees directed to fund legal services for the poor.

Requires the Chief Court Administrator to provide parties with at least 30 available judges or judge trial referees within three days of transfer, with parties jointly selecting three candidates within two weeks for the administrator to designate one as presiding judge.

Mandates court rules include accelerated adjudication, mandatory one-day mediation with a special master, decisions on dispositive motions within 30 days, and readiness for trial within nine months of transfer.