Offer of Compromise by Plain-

tiff; How Made (Amended June 26, 2006, to take effect Jan. 1, 2007.) After commencement of any civil action based upon contract or seeking the recovery of money damages, whether or not other relief is sought, the plaintiff may, not earlier than 180 days after service of process is made upon the defendant in such action but not later than thirty days before the commencement of jury selection in a jury trial or the commencement of evidence in a court trial, file with the clerk of the court a written offer of compromise signed by the plaintiff or the plaintiff’s attorney, directed to the defendant or the defend- ant’s attorney, offering to settle the claim underly- ing the action for a sum certain. For the purposes of this section, such plaintiff includes a counter- claim plaintiff under General Statutes § 8-132. The plaintiff shall give notice of such offer of com- promise to the defendant’s attorney, or if the defendant is not represented by an attorney, to the defendant. (P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 346.) (Amended June 24, 2002, to take effect Jan. 1, 2003; amended June 26, 2006, to take effect Jan. 1, 2007; amended June 30, 2008, to take effect Jan. 1, 2009.)