CONNECTICUT BAR EXAM DISTINCTIONS — ONE-PAGE CHEAT SHEET
Condensed companion to the Connecticut Bar Exam Distinctions long outline.
1. EXAM FORMAT
UBE jurisdiction (MBE + MEE + MPT, 400-point scale) · minimum passing score 266 (one of the lower cut scores) · scores portable · MEE graded on general/majority law unless a question names the jurisdiction.
2. CIVIL PROCEDURE
State courts apply the Connecticut Practice Book · distinctive prejudgment-remedy (PJR) attachment, return-date pleading, apportionment complaints · Superior Court is the general-jurisdiction trial court.
3. STATUTES OF LIMITATIONS
Negligence 2 yr + 3-yr statute of repose (repose can bar before discovery) · written contracts 6 yr / oral 3 yr · defamation 2 yr · products-liability 10-yr repose.
4. EVIDENCE
Connecticut Code of Evidence tracks the FRE but is independently drafted · retains state doctrines like constancy of accusation in sexual-assault cases plus its own privileges.
5. FAMILY LAW
All-property equitable distribution — NO separate-property exclusion; premarital and inherited property are divisible (NOT community property) · fault may be weighed in division/alimony · common-law marriage NOT recognized.
6. WILLS, TRUSTS & ESTATES
No holographic wills (two-witness only) · elective share = life use of one-third of the estate (not a fee fraction) · separate statewide Probate Court system.
7. REAL PROPERTY
Notice recording, at the town level · adverse possession 15 years · foreclosure default is strict foreclosure — title vests on failure to redeem by law day, NO sale (foreclosure by sale only when equity is substantial).
8. TORTS
Modified comparative, 51% bar (recover if not more at fault than defendants; 50% still recovers) · proportionate (several) liability with apportionment complaints · Dram Shop Act — short notice deadline + damages cap, plus uncapped common-law reckless-service claim · no general PI damages caps.
9. CONTRACTS / UCC
Standard UCC + Statute of Frauds, no major Article 2 deviations · CUTPA gives broad unfair-trade-practices liability with punitive damages + attorney fees · 6-yr written / 3-yr oral contract limitations.
10. BUSINESS ENTITIES
Connecticut Business Corporation Act (MBCA-based) + Uniform LLC Act · no signature exam deviations · annual reports to Secretary of the State.
11. PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
Connecticut Rules of Professional Conduct track ABA Model Rules · IOLTA trust accounting · discipline via local grievance panels and the Statewide Grievance Committee.
12. CRIMINAL
MPC-influenced penal code · death penalty abolished (2015) · statutory duty to retreat outside the home (not stand-your-ground).
KEY FLAGS
① Passing score 266 · ② 2-yr negligence + 3-yr repose · ③ all-property distribution, no common-law marriage · ④ no holographic wills, elective share = life use of one-third · ⑤ notice / 15-yr AP / strict foreclosure · ⑥ 51%-bar comparative + several liability + Dram Shop notice/cap · ⑦ duty to retreat, no death penalty, CUTPA.