Stipulation Approval / Hearing Process

MEMORANDUM NO. 2020-05

Effective immediately, considering the suspension of the 20-day deadlines in 31-303, the stipulation approval/hearing process for ALL district offices will be as follows:

• No one will be allowed to appear in person at any district office to sign or deliver stipulation documents. All documents must be signed prior to being sent to the Commission for approval.
   
• Out-of-state stipulation approval procedures are to be followed. For details, see the Stipulation Approval Procedures on the WCC website: https://wcc.state.ct.us/download/acrobat/sap.pdf
   
• Per Executive Order 7K, remote notarization is now authorized. The documents must still be notarized, but a raised seal is not necessary (for more detail see the language in the EO). Documents may be notarized by a Notary Public OR a Commissioner of the Superior Court pursuant to Connecticut law.
   
• Parties may fax in a copy of the stipulation for the paralegal to review. The originals should be mailed the same day. The stipulation approval hearing will not be scheduled until all the original fully signed documents are received.
   
• Canvassing of the claimant will be done at the commissioner's discretion. Commissioners are strongly encouraged to phone canvass pro se claimants in order to alleviate a potential floodgate of claimants attempting to reopen stipulations once this crisis has passed.
   
• Once the commissioner has approved a stipulation, the district office should fax or mail a copy of the approved stipulation to all parties.
   
• As Executive Order 7K suspends the 20-day payment deadline, it is unnecessary for any party to pick up a fully signed copy of the stipulation in person.