R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-26-22 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-26 / Section 9-26-22
§ 9-26-22. Levy on attached stock.
Status: repealed

Whenever execution shall issue against a defendant whose stock or shares in any banking association or any body corporate established within this state shall have been attached, the officer charged therewith shall serve a copy of the execution, if a bank, upon the cashier; if an insurance company, upon the president or secretary; if any other corporate body within this state, upon the treasurer or person executing the duties of treasurer; and if any foreign corporation, upon the clerk or agent or its attorney authorized to accept service of process in its behalf in this state; which shall be deemed a good and sufficient levy of the execution upon the stock or shares of the defendant in the company, provided the levying officer complies with the requirements of § 6A-8-317 [repealed].
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-17-5 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-17 / Section 9-17-5
§ 9-17-5. Duty to attend when subpoenaed.
Status: in_force

Every witness who shall be duly served with a subpoena in behalf of any party to a suit or proceeding, civil or criminal, and shall have his or her lawful fees tendered to him or her for his or her travel from his or her place of abode to the place at which he or she shall be summoned to attend, and for one days attendance, shall be obliged to attend accordingly.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-33-4 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-33 / Section 9-33-4
§ 9-33-4. Construction of chapter.
Status: in_force

Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to limit or affect any additional constitutional, statutory, or common law protections of defendants in actions involving their exercise of rights of petition or of free speech.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-41 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-1 / Section 9-1-41
§ 9-1-41. Loss of consortium  Loss of society and companionship.
Status: in_force

(a) A married person is entitled to recover damages for loss of consortium caused by tortious injury to his or her spouse.

(b) An unemancipated minor is entitled to recover damages for the loss of parental society and companionship caused by tortious injury to his or her parent.

(c) Parents are entitled to recover damages for the loss of their unemancipated minor childs society and companionship caused by tortious injury to the minor.

(d) Actions under this section shall be brought within the time limited under § 9-1-14 or 9-1-14.1, whichever is applicable, for actions for injuries to the person.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-31 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-1 / Section 9-1-31
§ 9-1-31. Public school teachers, supervisors, administrators, and employees whose position directly involves work with students  Immunity from liability  Compensation for certain injuries  Duty upon school committees and the council on elementary and secondary education.
Status: in_force

(a) Each school committee and the council on elementary and secondary education shall protect and save harmless any public school teacher, any supervisor, administrator, or licensed professional employee, any employee whose position requires a certificate from the department of education or council on elementary and secondary education, any employee whose position directly involves work with students, and any employee of the council on elementary and secondary education from financial loss and expense, including legal fees and costs, if any, arising out of any claim, demand, or suit for actions resulting in accidental bodily injury to or death of any person, or in accidental damage to or destruction of property, within or without the school building, or any other acts, including but not limited to infringement of any persons civil rights, resulting in any injury, which acts are not wanton, reckless, malicious, or grossly negligent, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, provided the teacher, supervisor, or administrator, at the time of the acts resulting in the injury, death, damages, or destruction, was acting in the discharge of their duties or within the scope of their employment or under the direction of the school committee or the council on elementary and secondary education.

(b) For the purpose of this section, the term teacher shall include any student teacher doing practice teaching under the direction of a teacher employed by a school committee or the council on elementary and secondary education.

(c) Each school committee and the council on elementary and secondary education shall protect and save harmless any teacher or any supervisor, employee whose position directly involves work with students (hereinafter referred to as employee), or administrator from financial loss and expense, including payment of expenses reasonably incurred for medical or other service, necessary as a result of an assault upon the teacher, supervisor, employee, or administrator while the person was acting in the discharge of their duties within the scope of their employment or under the direction of the school committee or the council on elementary and secondary education, which expenses are not paid by the individual teachers, supervisors, employees, or administrators workers compensation.

(d) Any teacher, supervisor, employee whose position directly involves work with students (hereinafter referred to as employee), or administrator absent from their employment as a result of injury sustained during an assault upon the teacher, supervisor, employee, or administrator that occurred while the teacher, supervisor, employee, or administrator was discharging their duties within the scope of their employment or under the direction of the school committee or the council on elementary and secondary education, or for a court appearance in connection with the assault, shall continue to receive their full salary, while so absent, except that the amount of any workers compensation award may be deducted from their salary payments during the absence. The time of the absence shall not be charged against the teachers, supervisors, employees, or administrators sick leave, vacation time, or personal leave days.

(e) A person so injured in accordance with subsection (d) of this section and who receives a disability therefrom, which renders them unable to fully perform their normal duties, shall, if the disability continues for a period of one year, apply to the Rhode Island employees retirement system for appropriate benefits for which that person is entitled.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-24-32 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-24 / Section 9-24-32
§ 9-24-32. States right to appeal.
Status: in_force

In any criminal proceeding, the attorney general shall have the right to object to any finding, ruling, decision, order, or judgment of the superior court or family court, and the attorney general may appeal the findings, rulings, decisions, orders, or judgments to the supreme court at any time before the defendant has been placed in jeopardy; the defendant in any criminal proceeding may also appeal any findings, rulings, decision, order, or judgment of the superior or family court; and the attorney general may appeal thereafter, if, after trial, the defendant appeals. If the attorney general appeals the findings, rulings, decisions, orders, or judgments of the superior or family court before the defendant is placed in jeopardy and the defendant prevails in the supreme court, the attorney for the defendant shall be entitled to a reasonable attorneys fee and costs, payable by the state, to be set by the supreme court, incurred in representing the defendant in the prosecution of the attorney generals appeal before the supreme court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-35-11 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-35 / Section 9-35-11
§ 9-35-11. Transitional provision.
Status: in_force

This chapter applies to the registration of a Canadian judgment entered in a proceeding that is commenced in Canada on or after the effective date of this chapter [July 3, 2021].
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-3-9 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-3 / Section 9-3-9
§ 9-3-9. Motor vehicle repairers lien.
Status: in_force

Every motor vehicle repairer who shall furnish material and labor, or either, in the repair of a motor vehicle shall, if the owner of the vehicle has insured the automobile against damage or loss by collision, have a lien upon any payment due the owner of the vehicle, his or her representative, or assignee, on account of the insurance, to the amount of the reasonable and necessary charges of the repairer up to the date of payment of the amount; provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall be construed to give the lien herein created precedence over the lien of an attorney.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-26-31 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-26 / Section 9-26-31
§ 9-26-31. Priority of levies.
Status: in_force

In all levies on execution upon real estate, goods and chattels, stocks or shares, or other subject of levy on execution whatsoever, he or she who shall first procure the attachment, if any, or, if there is no attachment, he or she who shall first procure levy to be made, shall be entitled to have his or her debt or damages satisfied before any other demand for which the property may be subsequently attached, or levied on by execution, at the suit of any other person; and all others in order of their attachments or levies.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-14-26 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-14 / Section 9-14-26
§ 9-14-26. Masters conveyance of property.
Status: in_force

If a judgment directs a party to execute a conveyance of land or to deliver deeds or other documents or to perform any other specified acts and the party fails to comply within the time specified, the court may direct the act to be done at the cost of the disobedient party by a master in chancery or some other person appointed by the court, and the act when so done has like effect as if done by the party.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-14.1 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-1 / Section 9-1-14.1
§ 9-1-14.1. Limitation on malpractice actions.
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 9-1-13 and 9-1-14, an action for medical, veterinarian, accounting, or insurance or real estate agent or broker malpractice shall be commenced within three (3) years from the time of the occurrence of the incident that gave rise to the action; provided, however, that:

(1) One who is under disability by reason of age and on whose behalf no action is brought within the period of three (3) years from the time of the occurrence of the incident shall bring the action at any time up to twenty-one (21) years of age.

(2) One who is under disability by reason of mental incompetence, or otherwise, and on whose behalf no action is brought within the period of three (3) years from the time of the occurrence of the incident, shall bring the action within three (3) years from the removal of the disability.

(3) In respect to those injuries or damages due to acts of medical, veterinarian, accounting, or insurance or real estate agent or broker malpractice that could not in the exercise of reasonable diligence be discoverable at the time of the occurrence of the incident that gave rise to the action, suit shall be commenced within three (3) years of the time that the act or acts of the malpractice should, in the exercise of reasonable diligence, have been discovered.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-22-15 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-22 / Section 9-22-15
§ 9-22-15. Witness fees allowed where certificate filed after judgment.
Status: in_force

Unless the certificate of a witness for his or her attendance and travel is filed with the clerk of the court rendering judgment not later than ten (10) days after the rendition of judgment in the cause in which he or she shall have attended or been summoned, no more fees shall be taxed in favor of the party procuring the witness than one days attendance and travel; provided, that in a district court no fees shall be taxed in favor of the party procuring the witness in any cause in which an appeal shall be claimed after judgment, unless there shall be filed with the clerk of the court within one day after entry of judgment, exclusive of Sundays and legal holidays, the certificate of the witness for his or her attendance and travel, or the summons for the witness; in which latter case fees shall be taxed for only one days attendance and travel.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-30-6 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-30 / Section 9-30-6
§ 9-30-6. Discretionary with court to render judgment.
Status: in_force

The court may refuse to render or enter a declaratory judgment or decree where the judgment or decree, if rendered or entered, would not terminate the uncertainty or controversy giving rise to the proceeding.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-29-5 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-29 / Section 9-29-5
§ 9-29-5. Jurors fees.
Status: in_force

(a) All grand and petit jurors shall be paid for each days attendance on the superior court twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per day commencing July 1, 2022, and thereafter. The general assembly shall annually appropriate such sum as it may deem necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.

(b) Any grand or petit juror may, upon signing a form approved by the presiding justice of the superior court, donate their jury fee to the state. Any such donation shall be deposited into the general fund and shall be allocated to the Rhode Island Veterans Home Community Living Center.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-29-18 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-29 / Section 9-29-18
§ 9-29-18. Superior court fees.
Status: in_force

(a) The superior court shall be allowed the following fees in full to be taxed in the bill of costs in every civil action:

(b) In addition to the fees set forth in subsection (a) of this section, the superior court shall apply a technology surcharge on all filing fees assessed in accordance with §8-15-11.

(c) Provided, that ten dollars ($10.00) of the fee for the entry of every civil action or petition shall be forwarded to Rhode Island Legal Services.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-3-1 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-3 / Section 9-3-1
§ 9-3-1. Attorneys lien  Creation.
Status: in_force

Whenever the relationship of attorney and client has been entered into by an implied or express contract for service, wherein the attorney does not agree to be responsible for costs of suit, the attorney shall have a lien to the value of his or her contractual interests in the cause of action, claim, demand, counterclaim, or other matter concerning which the contract is entered into.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-22-17 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-22 / Section 9-22-17
§ 9-22-17. Taxation by clerk  Approval or revision by justice.
Status: in_force

Subject to regulation by rule of court, all bills of costs shall be taxed by the clerks of the respective court, and, when objected to, shall be revised or approved by one of the justices of the court in which the judgment or order is entered, or by the justice of the district court, when the case is in a district court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-40 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-1 / Section 9-1-40
§ 9-1-40. Civil liability for nonpayment of accident and sickness insurance by employer.
Status: in_force

Whenever any person suffers any injury or loss to his or her person or property as a result of the intentional failure of his or her employer to pay any health insurance premium to which the person contributes through his or her employer, the person may recover his or her damages for any injury in a civil action against the employer. The employer shall be liable to the employee for twice the amount of expenses including but not limited to all medical and legal expenses incurred.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-27.2 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-1 / Section 9-1-27.2
§ 9-1-27.2. Court appointed special advocate program  Immunity from liability.
Status: in_force

The state shall protect and hold harmless any attorney, director, coordinator, or social worker employed in the court appointed special advocate program and its court appointed volunteer special advocates (C.A.S.A.) from financial loss and expense, including legal fees and costs, if any, arising out of any claim, demand, or suit for damages resulting from acts or omissions committed in the discharge of his or her duties with the program and within the scope of his or her employment which may constitute negligence, but which acts are not wanton, malicious, or grossly negligent as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-8-3 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-8 / Section 9-8-3
§ 9-8-3. Dismissal for lack of prosecution.
Status: in_force

(a) The supreme court, the superior court, the family court, the district court, or the traffic tribunal, may, at any time, in its discretion, dismiss actions at law and other proceedings for lack of prosecution that have been pending for five (5) years or more, after notice and opportunity for hearing.

(b) Notice that an action or proceeding will be in order for dismissal on a day certain shall be given by the moving party (or by the clerk if upon the courts own motion) by mailing written notice to the attorney of record, or if there is no attorney of record or the attorney is deceased, then to the party if his or her address appears in the papers of the case. In the event there is no attorney of record, or he or she is deceased, and the address of the party is unknown, notice may be given by insertion of a newspaper advertisement published in a daily newspaper that has circulation in the county or district where the action was instituted, at least once. A certificate of the notice given shall be placed in the papers by the clerk.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-31-3 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-31 / Section 9-31-3
§ 9-31-3. Limitation of damages  Cities, towns, and fire districts.
Status: in_force

In any tort action against any city or town or any fire district, any damages recovered therein shall not exceed the sum of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000); provided, however, that in all instances in which the city or town or fire district was engaged in a proprietary function in the commission of the tort, the limitation of damages set forth in this section shall not apply.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-30 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-1 / Section 9-1-30
§ 9-1-30. Demand for judgment in an action alleging personal injury, injury to property, or wrongful death  Exclusion of monetary amount.
Status: in_force

(a) No complaint or pleading in an action of contract or tort for personal injury, injury to property, or wrongful death shall contain an ad damnum or monetary amount claimed against any defendant or defendants; provided, however, that in any action brought before the superior court, the complaint shall state that the monetary amount claimed is sufficient to establish the jurisdiction of the superior court.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary, a complaint or pleading in an action of contract or tort for personal injury, injury to property, or wrongful death in any action brought before the district court shall state the monetary amount claimed.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-19-28 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-19 / Section 9-19-28
§ 9-19-28. Evidence of damage to property.
Status: in_force

(a) In any proceeding commenced in any court, commission, or agency for damage to real or personal property, an itemized statement of what portions of the property were repaired or replaced together with the cost of any parts replaced on the property and the value of any labor extended in the repairing or replacement, or an itemized statement of the estimated cost of repairing the damaged property, including the cost of replacement parts and labor, which has been subscribed and sworn to under the penalties of perjury by the person making the repairs or under whose direction the repairs were made, or by the person giving the estimate, or under whose direction the estimate was prepared, shall be admissible as evidence of the fair and reasonable cost of repairing the damage and shall constitute prima facie evidence of the reasonable cost of the repairs thereof; provided, however, that the statement shall contain no reference to the cause of the damage; and, provided further, that written notice of the intention to offer such a statement as evidence, together with a copy thereof, has been given to the opposing party or parties, or to his or her or their attorneys, by mailing the notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, not less than ten (10) days before the introduction of the statement into evidence, and that an affidavit of the notice and the return receipt is filed with the clerk of the court forthwith after the receipt has been returned. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to limit the right of any party to summon, at his or her own expense, the person subscribing to the statement, for the purpose of cross examination with respect to the statement or to rebut the contents thereof or for any other purpose, nor to limit the right of any party to summon, at his or her own expense, any other person to testify in respect to the statement or for any other purpose, nor to limit the right of any party to summon, at his or her own expense, the business records of any person offering any such statement.

(b) The word person as used herein shall mean any individual, firm, partnership, or corporation, or any full time employee thereof, engaged in the business of servicing and repairing property, or regularly performing such services incident to its principal business, or any individual licensed by the insurance commissioner as a motor vehicle damage appraiser pursuant to § 27-10.1-1.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-19-19 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-19 / Section 9-19-19
§ 9-19-19. Finding of presumed death under federal Missing Persons Act.
Status: in_force

A written finding of presumed death, made by the secretary of the Army, the secretary of the Navy, the secretary of the Air Force, or the chief of space operations in the Space Force or other officer or employee of the United States authorized to make such finding, pursuant to the federal Missing Persons Act, 5 U.S.C. § 5561 et seq., as now or hereafter amended, or a duly certified copy of such finding shall be received in any court, office, or other place in this state as prima facie evidence of the death of the person therein found to be dead, and the date, circumstances, and place of the persons disappearance.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-19-5 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-19 / Section 9-19-5
§ 9-19-5. Determination made by court  Review.
Status: in_force

The determination of foreign laws shall be made by the court and not by the jury, and shall be reviewable.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-3-7 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-3 / Section 9-3-7
§ 9-3-7. Examination of hospital records.
Status: in_force

Any person or persons, firm or firms, corporation or corporations legally liable for a hospital lien or against whom a claim shall be asserted for compensation for injuries, shall be permitted to examine the records of any such association or other institution or body maintaining the hospital in reference to the treatment, care, and maintenance of the injured person.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-17-23 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-17 / Section 9-17-23
§ 9-17-23. Privileged communications to clergy.
Status: in_force

In the trial of every cause, both civil and criminal, no member of the clergy or priest shall be competent to testify concerning any confession made to him or her in his or her professional character in the course of discipline enjoined by the church to which he or she belongs, without the consent of the person making the confession. No duly ordained minister of the gospel, priest, or rabbi of any denomination shall be allowed in giving testimony to disclose any confidential communication, properly entrusted to him or her in his or her professional capacity, and necessary and proper to enable him or her to discharge the functions of his or her office in the usual course of practice or discipline, without the consent of the person making the communication.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-5-8 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-5 / Section 9-5-8
§ 9-5-8. Power of New Shoreham town sergeant  Bond.
Status: in_force

The town sergeant of the town of New Shoreham is hereby authorized and empowered to serve any writ and civil or criminal process in the town of New Shoreham and the waters adjacent thereto within the jurisdiction of the state, the ad damnum of which does not exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000), as fully and effectually as a member of the division of sheriffs; provided, that the town sergeant of New Shoreham give bond, with two (2) sufficient sureties, to the general treasurer in the sum of two thousand dollars ($2,000). In case any person is injured by the breach of the bond, he or she may sue upon the bond in like manner as he or she might do upon a sheriffs bond in a like case under the provisions of §§ 42-29-12 and 42-29-13.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-5-6 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-5 / Section 9-5-6
§ 9-5-6. Writs and process operating throughout state  Officers to whom directed.
Status: in_force

All writs, executions, and process shall run throughout the state and shall be directed for service to the division of sheriffs, or to a certified constable, but if any deputy sheriff is a party to the action or suit, the process shall be directed to the town sergeant or a certified constable and may be served by any one of them not a party to the action or suit.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-10-12.2 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-10 / Section 9-10-12.2
§ 9-10-12.2. Subpanels in any county.
Status: in_force

The provisions of § 9-10-11.2 may be made applicable to any county outside the counties of Providence and Bristol by order of the presiding justice of the superior court whenever he or she shall determine that the expedition of jury trials in that county will be furthered or improved thereby.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-22-14 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-22 / Section 9-22-14
§ 9-22-14. Actions by assignee or indorsee of promissory note.
Status: in_force

In all actions on promissory notes in the name of the assignee or indorsee of the note against the original promisor, no more costs shall be taxed than would by law be taxable if the action had been brought in the name of the payee of the note.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-32 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-1 / Section 9-1-32
§ 9-1-32. Effect of alteration of product after sale.
Status: in_force

(a) As used in this section:

(1) Person injured means the person who sustained damages because of personal injury, death, or property damage.

(2) Product liability damages means damages because of personal injury, death, or property damage sustained by reason of an alleged defect in a product, or an alleged failure to warn or protect against a danger or hazard in the use or misuse of the product, or an alleged failure to instruct properly in the use of a product.

(3) Subsequent alteration or modification means an alteration or modification of a product made subsequent to the manufacture or sale by the manufacturer or seller that altered, modified, or changed the purpose, use, function, design, or manner of use of the product from that originally designed, tested, or intended by the manufacturer, or the purpose, use, function, design, or manner of use or intended use for which the product was originally designed, tested, or manufactured.

(b) Any defense claimed by the manufacturer or seller that the person injured made a subsequent alteration or modification to the product that is found to be a significant contributing factor to the injury, death, or property damage shall be controlled by the comparative negligence provisions of § 9-20-4.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-19-34.1 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-19 / Section 9-19-34.1
§ 9-19-34.1. Collateral source rule in medical malpractice actions.
Status: in_force

In the event the defendant so elects, in a legal action based upon a cause of action arising after January 1, 1987, for personal injury against a licensed physician, hospital, clinic, health maintenance organization, professional service corporation providing health care services under chapter 5.1 of title 7, dentist, or dental hygienist based upon professional negligence, the defendant may introduce evidence of any amount payable as a benefit to the plaintiff as a result of the personal injury pursuant to any state income disability or workers compensation act, any health, sickness or income disability insurance, accident insurance that provides health benefits or income disability coverage, and any contract or agreement of any group, organization, partnership, or corporation to provide, pay for, or reimburse the cost of medical, hospital, dental, or other health care services. Where the defendant elects to introduce such evidence, the plaintiff may introduce evidence of any amount which the plaintiff has paid or contributed to secure his or her right to any insurance benefits concerning which the defendant has introduced evidence. When such evidence is introduced, the jury shall be instructed to reduce the award for damages by a sum equal to the difference between the total benefits received and the total amount paid to secure the benefits by the plaintiff or the court may ascertain the sum by special interrogatory and reduce the award for damages after verdict. Whenever an award is so reduced, the lien of any first party payor who has paid such a benefit against the judgment shall be foreclosed and the plaintiff shall have no legal obligation to reimburse the payor.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-29-21 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-29 / Section 9-29-21
§ 9-29-21. Attorney or unrepresented party must sign papers  Sanctions for frivolous suits.
Status: in_force

In any legal action based upon a cause of action arising on or after July 1, 1987, every pleading, motion, and other paper of a party represented by an attorney shall be signed by at least one attorney of record in his or her individual name, whose address and telephone number shall be stated. A party who is not represented by an attorney shall sign his or her pleading, motion, or other paper and state his or her address and telephone number. Except when otherwise specifically provided by rule or statute, pleadings need not be verified or accompanied by affidavit. The signature of an attorney or party constitutes a certificate by him or her that he or she has read the pleading, motion, or other paper; that to the best of his or her knowledge, information, and belief formed after reasonable inquiry it is well grounded in fact and is warranted by existing law or a good faith argument for the extension, modification, or reversal of existing law, and that it is not interposed for any improper purpose, such as to harass or to cause unnecessary delay or needless increase in the cost of litigation. If a pleading, motion, or other paper is not signed, it shall be stricken unless it is signed promptly after the omission is called to the attention of the pleader or movant. If a pleading, motion, or other paper is signed in violation of this rule, the court, upon motion or upon its own initiative, may impose upon the person who signed it, a represented party, or both, an appropriate sanction, which may include an order to pay to the other party or parties the amount of the reasonable expenses incurred because of the filing of the pleading, motion, or other paper, including a reasonable attorneys fee.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-19-36 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-19 / Section 9-19-36
§ 9-19-36. Advance payments inadmissible in medical malpractice cases.
Status: in_force

Any advance payment for medical bills by a health care provider or by the insurer of a health care provider shall not be construed as an admission of liability and shall not be admissible in evidence as to liability in any hearing or trial of an action of tort or breach of contract for malpractice, error, or mistake against a health care provider; provided, however, that nothing herein shall be construed to limit the right of a health care provider to introduce in evidence any advance payment for medical bills in diminution of damages.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-25-19 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-25 / Section 9-25-19
§ 9-25-19. Replacement of lost or destroyed executions.
Status: in_force

The superior court, family court, or district court, at any time upon application made by the party in favor of whom any original, alias, or pluries execution has issued and upon proof that the execution has been lost or destroyed previous to the satisfaction thereof, may issue, or authorize the clerk of the court to issue, another execution in the place of the one so lost or destroyed.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-24-29 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-24 / Section 9-24-29
§ 9-24-29. Transmission of papers on certified cases.
Status: in_force

Whenever any proceeding or question has been certified to the supreme court, the clerk of the court by which the certification is made shall forthwith transmit the papers to the supreme court, and the parties shall follow the cause to the court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-28-7 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-28 / Section 9-28-7
§ 9-28-7. Revision or suspension of decree.
Status: in_force

The court may, at any time on written notice to the adverse party or his or her attorney of record, for cause shown, revise, modify, or suspend a decree made in any proceedings under this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-2-18 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-2 / Section 9-2-18
§ 9-2-18. Acceleration of actions when party 65 or older.
Status: in_force

Any civil action in which a plaintiff or a defendant has attained the age of sixty-five (65) years, and is not a corporation, partnership, association, or other such entity, shall be accelerated to trial at the request of the party. This section shall not be construed so as to preclude reasonable discovery.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-25-9 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-25 / Section 9-25-9
§ 9-25-9. Form of superior court writs of possession.
Status: in_force

(a) Writs of possession issuing from the superior court shall be substantially in the following form:

(b) If an officer, serving an execution issued under this section on a judgment for the plaintiff for possession of land or tenements, removes personal property belonging to a person other than the plaintiff from the land or tenements and places it upon the sidewalk, highway, street, or way on which land or tenements abut, he or she may forthwith and before the expiration of the time limited in any statute or ordinance for the removal of obstructions in the street, remove the personal property and cause it to be stored for the benefit of the owners thereof.

(c) Whoever accepts the personal property on storage from the officer shall have a lien thereon for reasonable storage fees and for reasonable expenses of removing it to the place of storage, but the lien shall not be enforced by sale of the property until the property has been kept on storage for at least thirty (30) days.

(d) If the owner of the property is present and claims it when it is so removed from the land or tenements, the officer shall not remove and store it, and his or her act of placing it upon the sidewalk, highway, street, or way shall be deemed to be the act of the owner, who alone shall be held to answer therefor.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-31-13 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-31 / Section 9-31-13
§ 9-31-13. Arbitration of claims.
Status: in_force

All actions brought under this chapter may, upon agreement of all parties to the action, be submitted to arbitration in accordance with § 8-6-5 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, except that the state, its departments, agencies, boards, and commissions shall not be required to pay a filing fee for objecting to the arbitrators award and demanding a trial.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-3-12 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-3 / Section 9-3-12
§ 9-3-12. Motor vehicle lessors lien.
Status: in_force

Every person, firm, or corporation licensed pursuant to § 31-5-33, who shall rent a vehicle to a lessee as a substitute vehicle for one owned by the lessee and the vehicle owned by the lessee is insured against transportation expenses, shall have a lien upon any payment due the owner of the vehicle, his or her representative, or assignee for transportation expenses and on account of the insurance, to the amount of the reasonable and necessary charges of the rental up to the date of payment of the amount; provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall be construed to give the lien herein created precedence over the lien of an attorney.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-19-38 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-19 / Section 9-19-38
§ 9-19-38. Proof of life or work life expectancy.
Status: in_force

(a) In any proceeding commenced in any court, commission, or agency, when the life or work life expectancy of a person shall be at issue or when it is necessary to establish the expectancy of continued life or work life expectancy of any person from any period of the persons life, whether he or she is living at the time or not, the most recent issue of The United States Abridged Life Tables (United States Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics) or Tables of Work Life Expectancies as published in Work Life Estimates: Effects of Race and Education (United States department of labor, bureau of labor statistics) shall be admissible in evidence as competent evidence of such matter. The admissibility of evidence provided for in this section shall not be deemed to render inadmissible evidence as to the health, constitution, habits, or occupation of the person or any other evidence otherwise admissible under the laws of this state.

(b) The life and work life expectancy tables may be evidenced by an official publication of the tables or by a copy of the tables as published in a compilers note under this section in the general laws of Rhode Island. The tables as published in the general laws of Rhode Island shall be sufficient proof of life and work life expectancy without further foundation or authentication; provided, however, that written notice of the intention to offer the life or work life expectancy tables as evidence, together with a copy of the tables, has been given to the opposing party or parties, or to his or her or their attorneys, by mailing it by certified mail, return receipt requested, not less than ten (10) days before the introduction of the tables into evidence, and that an affidavit of the notice and the return receipt are filed with the clerk of the court immediately after the receipt has been returned.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-10-5 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-10 / Section 9-10-5
§ 9-10-5. Penalty for failure to serve notice on juror.
Status: in_force

Every officer charged with a notification to any person drawn as juror, who shall neglect to serve and return the notification as required in § 9-10-4, shall for each offense be fined twenty dollars ($20.00).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-9-1.2 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-9 / Section 9-9-1.2
§ 9-9-1.2. Interpreters or readers for jury service.
Status: in_force

(a) In any proceeding, civil or criminal, the courts shall provide and pay the reasonable costs of services of a qualified interpreter for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing and a reader for persons who are visually impaired when necessary to enable persons with these disabilities to serve as jurors, when such persons are qualified jurors within the meaning of § 9-9-1.1.

(b) Qualified interpreter for this section means an interpreter for the person who is deaf or hard of hearing skilled in sign language or oral interpretation and transliteration, having the ability to communicate accurately with a person who is deaf or hard of hearing. An interpreter shall be deemed qualified as determined by the commission on the deaf and hard of hearing based upon recommendations from the commission and the deaf and hard of hearing interpreter screening committee, the Rhode Island association of the deaf, the national registry of interpreters for the deaf, and other appropriate agencies. The commission on the deaf and hard of hearing shall coordinate all requests for qualified interpreters and shall maintain a list of all such interpreters from which it shall fill the requests.

(c) Person who is hard of hearing for this section means a person who, because of a hearing impairment or deafness, requires sign language and/or speech reading as a part of his or her communication system.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-10-7 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-10 / Section 9-10-7
§ 9-10-7. Disqualification by prior jury service.
Status: in_force

No person summoned shall be qualified to serve as a juror who has served as a juror within three (3) years next preceding the time when he or she shall be so summoned; and the court shall, upon calling the person so summoned, inquire of him or her if he or she has so served.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-9 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-1 / Section 9-1-9
§ 9-1-9. Survival of actions for the recovery of possession of land.
Status: in_force

Civil actions to recover possession of land shall survive the death of the plaintiff or defendant and may be prosecuted or defended by the heir, devisee, executor, or administrator of the deceased party, as the right may descend or vest.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-25-15 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-25 / Section 9-25-15
§ 9-25-15. Cases in which execution may issue against body.
Status: in_force

An execution, original, alias, or pluries, may issue against the body of a defendant not exempt from arrest in an action which shall have been brought upon a penal statute, or in an action sounding in tort in which the title to real estate was not in dispute, or against bail in criminal cases, or whenever the defendant shall have been arrested and held to bail upon a writ of arrest or writ of mesne process therein, or whenever it shall be made to appear to the court which rendered the judgment in the action, or to any justice thereof, that the defendant is about to leave the state without leaving therein sufficient real or personal estate to satisfy the judgment, or that the defendant has been guilty of fraud in fact involving moral turpitude or intentional wrong either in contracting the debt for the recovery of which the judgment was rendered or in the concealment, detention or disposition of his or her property; provided, however, that no execution, original, alias or pluries, shall issue against the body of a defendant unless so ordered by a justice of the superior court or a justice of a district court upon the written ex parte motion of a party named in the action.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-49 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-1 / Section 9-1-49
§ 9-1-49. Correct corporate name and registered agent  Duty to provide.
Status: in_force

(a) Whenever any person notifies a corporation that it intends to commence a civil action against the corporation, it shall be the duty of the corporation to inform the person of its correct corporate name, its state of incorporation, its business address as designated in its state of incorporation, its registered agent and the address of its registered agent within fourteen (14) days of receipt of the notification. If the corporation is aware that a subsidiary or affiliate is a proper party to the civil action, the corporation shall also provide the correct name and address of the subsidiary or affiliate.

(b) Whenever a corporation is served with a complaint it shall notify the plaintiff within twenty (20) days of service of its correct corporate name, its state of incorporation, its business address as designated in its state of incorporation, its registered agent, and the address of its registered agent, and if the corporation is aware that a subsidiary or affiliate is a proper party to the civil action, the corporation shall also provide the correct name and address of the subsidiary or affiliate. Failure of the corporation to so notify the plaintiff shall result in a defense on these issues being waived by the corporation, and the corporation shall be estopped from asserting that the complaint failed to identify the corporation by its correct corporate name, or that the corporation is not a proper party to the civil action.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-24-8 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-24 / Section 9-24-8
§ 9-24-8. Supreme court orders for protection of parties pending appeal.
Status: in_force

After an appeal has been entered in the supreme court, the court may make such orders as are needful to protect the rights of the parties pending the appeal, and orders for continuing, modifying, or annulling orders provisionally made by the superior court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-21-10 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-21 / Section 9-21-10
§ 9-21-10. Interest in civil actions.
Status: in_force

(a) In any civil action in which a verdict is rendered or a decision made for pecuniary damages, there shall be added by the clerk of the court to the amount of damages interest at the rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum thereon from the date the cause of action accrued, which shall be included in the judgment entered therein. Post-judgment interest shall be calculated at the rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum and accrue on both the principal amount of the judgment and the prejudgment interest entered therein. This section shall not apply until entry of judgment or to any contractual obligation where interest is already provided.

(b) Subsection (a) shall not apply in any action filed on or after January 1, 1987, for personal injury or wrongful death filed against a licensed physician, hospital, clinic, health maintenance organization, professional service corporation providing health care services, dentist, or dental hygienist based on professional negligence. In all such medical malpractice actions in which a verdict is rendered or a decision made for pecuniary damages, there shall be added by the clerk of the court to the amount of damages interest at the rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum thereon from the date of written notice of the claim by the claimant or his or her representative to the malpractice liability insurer, or to the medical or dental health care provider or the filing of the civil action, whichever first occurs.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-47 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-1 / Section 9-1-47
§ 9-1-47. Loss of homemaker services.
Status: in_force

In any suit for damages as a result of personal injuries, a homemaker may recover the fair value of homemaker services provided to the home and those living therein. A homemaker as used herein is a person who has primary responsibility for the care of a home and a family and who receives no direct monetary compensation for those duties. The fair value of homemaker services shall not be limited to money actually expended to replace the services usually provided by the homemaker. In such a suit, the value of the homemaker services may be shown by expert testimony, but such testimony is not required.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-10 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-1 / Section 9-1-10
§ 9-1-10. Settlement of real estate title in action involving executor or administrator.
Status: in_force

In no case shall the title to real estate be settled or affected, except so far as relates to the case on trial, if and so far as the case on trial shall be prosecuted or defended by an executor or administrator.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-18-10 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-18 / Section 9-18-10
§ 9-18-10. Time of taking deposition.
Status: in_force

Depositions may be taken as provided in this chapter at any time; provided, however, that no deposition to be used in a jury trial shall be taken during the progress of the trial, except upon order of the justice presiding.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-22-1 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-22 / Section 9-22-1
§ 9-22-1. Court order requiring nonresident plaintiff to give surety for costs.
Status: in_force

The court before which any civil action, whether by appeal or otherwise, is pending may, at any time before final judgment or decree therein, upon motion of any defendant and for cause shown, require a plaintiff who is not an inhabitant of this state to give some sufficient person residing within this state or some surety company authorized to do business therein as surety for costs, which may be done by the surety endorsing his or her name on the complaint with the words surety for costs, or by giving bond therefor; and when surety has once been given, may for cause shown, require the plaintiff to give another surety for costs.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-5-35 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-5 / Section 9-5-35
§ 9-5-35. Service of court papers at work.
Status: in_force

No employer within this state is permitted to refuse or obstruct the service of any court process upon an employee at the place of employment and such service shall not be grounds for dismissal of the employee. The employer may designate an area where the service may be effected.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-29-3 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-29 / Section 9-29-3
§ 9-29-3. Deposition fees.
Status: in_force

To all officers empowered to take depositions, there shall be allowed:

(1) For every hour necessarily employed ......................................... $.40

(2) For every page of 200 words .........................................  .30

(3) For every miles travel to the place of caption .........................................  .10
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-34-11 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-34 / Section 9-34-11
§ 9-34-11. Savings clause.
Status: in_force

This chapter does not prevent the recognition under principles of comity or otherwise of a foreign-country judgment not within the scope of this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-29-9 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-29 / Section 9-29-9
§ 9-29-9. Fees of sheriffs, sergeants, and constables.
Status: in_force

(a) The fees, including mileage, of deputy sheriffs, town sergeants, and constables, for which a deposit to insure payment may be required, shall not exceed the following:

(b) The above fees shall be deposited as general revenue.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-34-13 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-34 / Section 9-34-13
§ 9-34-13. Official comments.
Status: in_force

It is the intention of the general assembly that the official comments to the Uniform Foreign-Country Money Judgments Recognition Act as approved and recommended for enactment in all the states by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws in 2005 represent the express legislative intent of the general assembly and shall be used as a guide for interpretation of this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-12-3 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-12 / Section 9-12-3
§ 9-12-3. Special complaint where whole amount exceeds court jurisdiction.
Status: in_force

In all actions in the district court where the whole amount is more than five thousand dollars ($5,000) and the balance stated by the plaintiff does not exceed that sum, he or she may bring his or her action for such balance, and shall so state specially in his or her complaint, and he or she shall, on the filing of the complaint, or afterwards on motion, file his or her account of debt and credit in the action.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-15-6 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-15 / Section 9-15-6
§ 9-15-6. Judgment and execution on report.
Status: in_force

Upon the coming in of the report of referees, the court shall enter judgment or decree thereon and in conformity thereto and issue execution accordingly.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-5-14 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-5 / Section 9-5-14
§ 9-5-14. Writs of mesne process.
Status: in_force

The plaintiff in any action may, as often as may be necessary, at any time before final judgment in the action, sue out a writ of mesne process to be made returnable to the court in which the action is then pending, the writ of mesne process commanding the attachment of the real or personal estate of the defendant, including his or her personal estate in the hands or possession of any person, partnership, or corporation, as the trustee of the defendant, and his or her stock or shares in any banking association or other incorporated company, and may also sue out a writ of mesne process commanding the arrest of the defendant unless the defendant has been arrested in the action; provided, that the plaintiff, his or her agent, or attorney shall make affidavit, to be endorsed on or annexed to the writ, setting forth facts which would authorize an attachment or arrest at the commencement of the action. The writ of mesne process shall conform, as nearly as may be, to a writ of attachment or arrest issued at the commencement of an action and shall be returnable at a time, before final judgment, to be specified in the writ.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-15-4 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-15 / Section 9-15-4
§ 9-15-4. Contents and effect of agreement of reference  Majority report of referees.
Status: in_force

The parties to any rule shall agree upon the mode of procedure, the defraying of expenses, the time when and manner in which the referees shall make their report, and the time and manner of issuing execution on the judgment or decree which the court shall enter, upon the coming in of the report; and every such agreement shall be conclusive upon the parties and upon their heirs, executors, administrators, and successors, and, if involving real estate, when notice thereof is duly recorded, upon their assigns, and a majority report of referees shall be binding and conclusive.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-17-15 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-17 / Section 9-17-15
§ 9-17-15. Effect of conviction for crime.
Status: in_force

No person shall be deemed an incompetent witness because of his or her conviction of any crime, or sentence to imprisonment therefor; but shall be admitted to testify like any other witness, except that conviction or sentence for any crime or misdemeanor may be shown to affect his or her credibility.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-18-5 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-18 / Section 9-18-5
§ 9-18-5. Manner of taking depositions outside state for use in state.
Status: in_force

Depositions may be taken without this state to be used in the tribunals of this state, upon written notice conforming to the applicable rules of procedure, and shall be taken in the manner and with the formalities required by the law of this state or the state, district, territory, or country in which the deposition shall be taken; or shall be taken, if taken in any other state, district, or territory of the United States, before a commissioner appointed by the governor of this state, or before a judge, chancellor, justice of the peace, notary public, or civil magistrate of the state, district, or territory, respectively, or, if taken out of the United States, before a resident official of the United States, or, if the deponent is in the military, air, or naval service of the United States, before a colonel, lieutenant colonel, or major in the Army or Air Force, before the chief of operations in the Space Force, or before any officer in the Navy not below the grade and rank of lieutenant commander. And in every such case under the second method, the party causing the depositions to be taken shall notify the adverse party, or the adverse partys attorney of record, of the time and place appointed for taking the deposition; and the notification issued by the official before whom the deposition is to be taken shall be served, in the manner as provided in § 9-18-4, such reasonable time before the taking of the deposition as will give the adverse party a full opportunity to be present in person or by attorney and put interrogatories to the deponent, if they think fit.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-29-8 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-29 / Section 9-29-8
§ 9-29-8. Certification as to witness fees.
Status: in_force

Every witness before obtaining any fees, except the amount which in certain cases must be tendered to him or her before he or she can be compelled to attend, shall give a certificate to the clerk of the court wherein or before whom his or her attendance shall be given, certifying the number of days he or she shall have attended and the number of miles he or she shall have traveled, in pursuance of a summons issued for that purpose, which certificate shall be subject to the examination of the court, and the allowance shall be made thereon as may be lawfully due; provided, that a certificate may be made for travel and attendance without a summons, in case a witness for the state comes from without the state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-25-20 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-25 / Section 9-25-20
§ 9-25-20. Return of executions.
Status: in_force

Every execution issued by the supreme or superior or family court shall, unless otherwise specially provided therein, be made returnable thereto one year from the date of the execution, and shall be returned by the officer charged therewith; and if the officer shall not return the execution within that time, he or she shall be liable therefor as by law prescribed.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-26-1 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-26 / Section 9-26-1
§ 9-26-1. Trustee defined.
Status: in_force

The word trustee, wherever occurring in this chapter, shall be deemed to include the words attorney, agent, factor, or debtor.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-18-8 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-18 / Section 9-18-8
§ 9-18-8. Deposition as evidence  Use of certified copy.
Status: in_force

The deposition of any person taken pursuant to this chapter may be used as evidence in the trial of any judicial proceeding in any court, or town council, or before commissioners, masters in chancery, referees, or auditors, in which it shall have been taken to be used; and if the party who took the deposition shall neglect to produce or use it, the adverse party may use the original or a copy of the deposition, certified by the magistrate before whom it was taken.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-13 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-1 / Section 9-1-13
§ 9-1-13. Limitation of actions generally  Product liability.
Status: in_force

(a) Except as otherwise specially provided, all civil actions shall be commenced within ten (10) years next after the cause of action shall accrue, and not after.

(b) [Ruled unconstitutional, see case notes] Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, an action for the recovery of damages for personal injury, death, or damage to real or personal property, including any action based upon implied warranties arising out of an alleged design, inspection, listing, or manufacturing defect, or any other alleged defect of whatsoever kind or nature in a product, or arising out of any alleged failure to warn regarding a product, or arising out of any alleged failure to properly instruct in the use of a product, shall be commenced within ten (10) years after the date the product was first purchased for use or consumption.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-22 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-1 / Section 9-1-22
§ 9-1-22. Extension of time after termination of action.
Status: in_force

If an action is timely commenced and is terminated in any other manner than by a voluntary discontinuance, a dismissal of the complaint for neglect to prosecute the action, or a final judgment upon the merits, the plaintiff, or if he or she dies and the claim survives, his or her executor or administrator, may commence a new action upon the same claim within one year after the termination.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-46 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-1 / Section 9-1-46
§ 9-1-46. Affirmative defense of trespassers intent to commit a crime.
Status: in_force

The owner or person legally entitled to possession of any land or building shall be entitled to plead as an affirmative defense that the injured person was trespassing with the intent to commit a felony, which upon proof thereof shall prohibit the trespasser from recovering for personal injuries sustained while upon the land or building, unless those injuries were inflicted by unreasonable force by the owner or person legally entitled to possession of the land or building.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-31-12 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-31 / Section 9-31-12
§ 9-31-12. Indemnification  Reservation of obligation  Certification.
Status: in_force

(a) The state reserves the right to determine whether or not it will indemnify any employees defended pursuant to §§ 9-31-8  9-31-11, if a judgment is rendered against the employee.

(b) Upon certification by the court in which the tort action against a state employee is pending that (1) the defendant employee was acting within the scope of his or her office or employment when the claim arose, and (2) the claim does not arise out of actual fraud, willful misconduct, or actual malice by the employee, any civil action or proceeding commenced upon the claim under this statute shall be deemed to be an action or proceeding brought against the state under the provisions of this title and all references thereto, and the state shall be substituted as the party defendant.

(c) Nothing in this section shall affect the obligations of any insurer, including the obligation to defend and satisfy any settlement or award.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-9-26 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-9 / Section 9-9-26
§ 9-9-26. Appropriations  Expenses.
Status: in_force

The general assembly shall annually appropriate such sums as it shall deem necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter and chapter 10 of this title; and the state controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of such sum or sums as may be from time to time required, upon the receipt by him or her of proper vouchers approved by the jury commissioner.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-10-17 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-10 / Section 9-10-17
§ 9-10-17. Waiver of objection to juror by silence.
Status: in_force

If a party knows of any objection to a juror before the case is opened to the jury and omits to suggest it to the court, he or she shall not afterwards make the objection, unless by express leave of the court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-9-25 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-9 / Section 9-9-25
§ 9-9-25. Application to pending proceedings.
Status: in_force

The provisions of this chapter, of chapter 10 of this title, and of chapter 11 of title 12 shall not affect any suit brought, nor any offense committed, nor any penalty or forfeiture incurred before May 11, 1939, and no prosecution or indictment pending on that date shall be affected hereby, except that all proceedings in any such suit or prosecution and in any suit or prosecution thereafter commenced may be conformed to the provisions hereof.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-5-10 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-5 / Section 9-5-10
§ 9-5-10. Direction and return of district courts writs and summonses.
Status: in_force

Writs and summonses issued by a district court shall be made returnable to the court at the place and on the day and hour provided by law, to be named in the writs and summonses, and shall, except as otherwise specifically provided, be directed to the division of sheriffs, or to the town sergeants, or to a certified constable authorized pursuant to § 9-5-10.1. In case any person upon whom it is necessary to make service of any writ, summons, or execution issued by a district court is, or has estate, in any other county than the one in which the action is brought, the writ, summons, or execution may also be directed to and served by the like officer of such other county.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-26-17 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-26 / Section 9-26-17
§ 9-26-17. Adjournment of sale.
Status: in_force

The officer may, for good cause, from time to time adjourn the sale of the real estate or of any interest therein levied on, giving one weeks notice thereof by publication in some public newspaper in the manner as provided in § 9-26-16.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-26-30 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-26 / Section 9-26-30
§ 9-26-30. Priority of attachments.
Status: in_force

In all attachments of real estate, or of goods and chattels, or of personal estate in the hands of a trustee, or of stock or shares in any banking association or other incorporated company, he or she who shall first procure any attachment to be made for any just debt or damages shall be entitled to have his or her debt or damages satisfied before any other demand for which the property shall be attached or taken by execution at the suit of any other person, and all others in order of attachment.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-29-10 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-29 / Section 9-29-10
§ 9-29-10. Compensation for keeping of attached personal property.
Status: in_force

The superior court or district courts, upon petition made by any sheriff or other officer setting forth the facts on oath, may allow such fair compensation for the keeping of personal property attached and held on mesne process as shall on examination be found to be reasonable.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-31-1 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-31 / Section 9-31-1
§ 9-31-1. Tort liability of state.
Status: in_force

(a) The state of Rhode Island and any political subdivision thereof, including all cities and towns, shall, subject to the period of limitations set forth in §9-1-25, hereby be liable in all actions of tort in the same manner as a private individual or corporation; provided, however, that any recovery in any such action shall not exceed the monetary limitations thereof set forth in this chapter.

(b) Except as otherwise provided herein, neither the State nor any other public body of the State of Rhode Island shall have any liability for any claim arising prior to December 31, 2002, from the failure of a computer, software program, database, network, information system, firmware, embedded chip, or any other device, whether operated by or on behalf of the State of Rhode Island or one of its agencies, departments, divisions, or any public body as defined in §9-1-31.1(a)(1), to interpret, produce, calculate, generate, or account for a date(s) or time(s) which date(s) or time(s) is associated with the year 2000 date change. This provision of this section shall apply without limitation to cities, towns, school committees, regional school committees, housing authorities, public libraries, sewer district, water districts, fire districts, agencies, authorities, boards, committees, subcommittees, councils and commissions. Provided that nothing herein contained shall exempt any public body from liability:

(1) For acts or omissions not in good faith, or

(2) For any malicious, willful, wanton, reckless or grossly negligent acts or omissions.

Provided that the public entity will only be liable for the proportion of damages attributable to its own degree of fault, and provided further that any such liability shall be governed by the monetary limitations of this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-33-2 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-33 / Section 9-33-2
§ 9-33-2. Conditional immunity.
Status: in_force

(a) A partys exercise of his or her right of petition or of free speech under the United States or Rhode Island constitutions in connection with a matter of public concern shall be conditionally immune from civil claims, counterclaims, or cross-claims. Such immunity will apply as a bar to any civil claim, counterclaim, or cross-claim directed at petition or free speech as defined in subsection (e) of this section, except if the petition or free speech constitutes a sham. The petition or free speech constitutes a sham only if it is not genuinely aimed at procuring favorable government action, result, or outcome, regardless of ultimate motive or purpose. The petition or free speech will be deemed to constitute a sham as defined in the previous sentence only if it is both:

(1) Objectively baseless in the sense that no reasonable person exercising the right of speech or petition could realistically expect success in procuring the government action, result, or outcome, and

(2) Subjectively baseless in the sense that it is actually an attempt to use the governmental process itself for its own direct effects. Use of outcome or result of the governmental process shall not constitute use of the governmental process itself for its own direct effects.

(b) The court shall stay all discovery proceedings in the action upon the filing of a motion asserting the immunity established by this section; provided, however, that the court, on motion and after a hearing and for good cause shown, may order that specified discovery be conducted. The stay of discovery shall remain in effect until notice of entry of the order ruling on the motion.

(c) The immunity established by this section may be asserted by an appropriate motion or by other appropriate means under the applicable rules of civil procedure.

(d) If the court grants the motion asserting the immunity established by this section, or if the party claiming lawful exercise of his or her right of petition or of free speech under the United States or Rhode Island constitutions in connection with a matter of public concern is, in fact, the eventual prevailing party at trial, the court shall award the prevailing party costs and reasonable attorneys fees, including those incurred for the motion and any related discovery matters. The court shall award compensatory damages and may award punitive damages upon a showing by the prevailing party that the responding partys claims, counterclaims, or cross-claims were frivolous or were brought with an intent to harass the party or otherwise inhibit the partys exercise of its right to petition or free speech under the United States or Rhode Island constitution. Nothing in this section shall affect or preclude the right of the party claiming lawful exercise of his or her right of petition or of free speech under the United States or Rhode Island constitutions to any remedy otherwise authorized by law.

(e) As used in this section, a partys exercise of its right of petition or of free speech shall mean any written or oral statement made before or submitted to a legislative, executive, or judicial body, or any other governmental proceeding; any written or oral statement made in connection with an issue under consideration or review by a legislative, executive, or judicial body, or any other governmental proceeding; or any written or oral statement made in connection with an issue of public concern.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-28 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-1 / Section 9-1-28
§ 9-1-28. Action for unauthorized use of name, portrait, or picture.
Status: in_force

(a) Any person whose name, portrait, or picture is used within the state for commercial purposes without his or her written consent may bring an action in the superior court against the person so using his or her name, portrait, or picture to prevent and restrain the use thereof, and may recover damages for any injuries sustained by reason of such use. If the defendant shall have knowingly used the persons name, portrait, or picture in such manner as is prohibited or unlawful, the court, in its discretion, may award the plaintiff treble the amount of the damages sustained by him or her.

(b) Nothing in this section shall be so construed as to:

(1) Apply to the use of names, portraits, or pictures in political speech or on matters of public concern;

(2) Prevent any person practicing the profession of photography from exhibiting in or about his or her or its establishment specimens of the work of the person or establishment, unless the exhibiting of any such specimen is continued after written notice objecting to it has been given by the person portrayed; or

(3) Prevent any person from using the name, portrait, or picture of any manufacturer or dealer in connection with the goods, wares, and merchandise manufactured, produced, or dealt in by the manufacturer or dealer which the person has sold or disposed of with the name, portrait, or picture used in connection therewith, or from using the name, portrait, or picture of any author, composer, or artist in connection with any literary, musical, or artistic production of the author, composer, or artist which the person has sold or disposed of with the name, portrait, or picture used in connection therewith.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-10-18 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-10 / Section 9-10-18
§ 9-10-18. Peremptory challenges.
Status: in_force

Either party in a civil action may, before the opening of the action or proceeding to the jury, challenge in writing, addressed to the clerk of the court, any qualified jurors called for the trial of the cause or proceeding, not exceeding one in three (3), without alleging or showing any cause therefor; and after the objection the challenged jurors shall not sit in the trial of the cause, but other jurors shall be called to take the place of the challenged jurors for the trial of the cause.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-5-10.6 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-5 / Section 9-5-10.6
§ 9-5-10.6. Certified constables board.
Status: in_force

(a) There shall be created a certified constables board that shall review each applicant and recommend him or her for training, conduct the oral examination of each applicant, and that shall serve as a resource to the department in the consideration of the practical aspects of constable practice. The board shall consist of five (5) members appointed by the governor: two (2) who shall be constables in good standing who have served for at least ten (10) years, one of whom shall be recommended by the Rhode Island Constables, Inc. and one recommended by the Rhode Island Constables Association; and three (3) attorneys who shall be licensed to practice law by the supreme court in good standing. Members of the constables board shall serve for terms of five (5) years until a successor is appointed and qualified.

(b) A representative of the board may attend hearings in order to furnish advice to the department. The board may also consult with the department of business regulation from time to time on matters relating to constable certification.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-10-3 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-10 / Section 9-10-3
§ 9-10-3. Service of summons by jury commissioner.
Status: in_force

Whenever on receipt of a notice from the clerk of the superior or family court for grand or petit jurors it shall appear to the jury commissioner to be impossible to get the returns from the officer or officers who customarily serve the summons in proper time for the commissioner to make his or her returns to the clerk of the court, or upon consent of the town sergeant of the town where any juror resides, in accordance herewith, then the jury commissioner or some person connected with his or her office designated by him or her for such purpose may serve the summons upon any such jurors as have been listed for service at a session of the court; provided, that when any such summons is served by the jury commissioner or person designated by him or her, the town or city in which the service is made shall not be liable for the payment of the fee mentioned in § 9-10-2.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-25-13 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-25 / Section 9-25-13
§ 9-25-13. Variation of forms to comply with law.
Status: in_force

The court issuing an execution in any case in which no form shall be prescribed may vary the forms as provided in this chapter so as to comply with the law governing the particular case.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-14.3 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-1 / Section 9-1-14.3
§ 9-1-14.3. Limitation on legal malpractice actions.
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 9-1-13 and 9-1-14, an action for legal malpractice shall be commenced within three (3) years of the occurrence of the incident which gave rise to the action; provided, however, that:

(1) One who is under disability by reason of age, mental incompetence, or otherwise, and on whose behalf no action is brought within the period of three (3) years from the time of the occurrence of the incident, shall bring the action within three (3) years from the removal of the disability.

(2) In respect to those injuries due to acts of legal malpractice which could not in the exercise of reasonable diligence be discoverable at the time of the occurrence of the incident which gave rise to the action, suit shall be commenced within three (3) years of the time that the act or acts of legal malpractice should, in the exercise of reasonable diligence, have been discovered.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-10-22 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-10 / Section 9-10-22
§ 9-10-22. Service of forbidden process void.
Status: in_force

The service of all process contrary to § 9-10-21 shall be void.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-19-12 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-19 / Section 9-19-12
§ 9-19-12. Statements and releases by patients in personal injury cases.
Status: in_force

Except as provided below, no settlement or general release or statement in writing signed by any person confined in a hospital or sanitarium as a patient with reference to any personal injuries for which the person is confined in the hospital or sanitarium shall be admissible in evidence, used or referred to in any manner, at the trial of any action to recover damages for personal injuries or consequential damages, so called, resulting therefrom, which statement, settlement, or general release was obtained within fifteen (15) days after injuries were sustained, and the settlement or release shall be null and void unless at least five (5) days prior to the obtaining or procuring of the general release or statement the injured party had signified in writing his or her willingness that the general release or statement be given. This section shall not apply to statements or releases obtained by police officers or inspectors of motor vehicles in the performance of their duty, from members of the family of the person, or by or on behalf of his or her attorney.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-2-10 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-2 / Section 9-2-10
§ 9-2-10. Association defined.
Status: in_force

Any unincorporated organization of persons, except a partnership, is deemed an association within the meaning of §§ 9-2-11  9-2-15.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-26 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-1 / Section 9-1-26
§ 9-1-26. Liability of hospitals.
Status: in_force

Every hospital operating within this state, whether sustained in whole or in part by charitable contributions or endowments, shall be liable for the neglect, carelessness, or want of skill or for malicious act of any of its officers, agents, or employees in the management of or for the care or treatment of any of the patients or inmates of the hospital in the same manner as any other person or corporation would be liable at common law for similar acts on the part of his or her or its officers, agents, or employees. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to impair any remedy under existing laws which any person may have against any officer, agent, or employee of any hospital for any act or omission in the course of his or her conduct or employment.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-5-21 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-5 / Section 9-5-21
§ 9-5-21. Signature of processes in action involving clerk of court.
Status: in_force

Whenever the clerk of any court shall be a party to an action, suit, or other proceeding, civil or criminal, all processes issuing from the court thereon shall be signed by a justice thereof.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-17-22 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-17 / Section 9-17-22
§ 9-17-22. Expert fees as costs.
Status: in_force

Fees of experts, except as provided in the Rules of Evidence, shall not be allowed as part of the costs in any case in excess of the fees allowed for ordinary witnesses.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-11-8 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-11 / Section 9-11-8
§ 9-11-8. County in which questions heard and disposed of  Intervention of jury.
Status: in_force

All questions of pleading or practice, not arising in the trial of the case, all motions, and all defaulted cases in the superior court shall be heard and disposed of by the court for the county in which the action is pending; provided, that all such matters arising in Newport, Kent, or Washington county may, when the court is not sitting in the county, be heard and disposed of in Providence, and, if, after judgment is rendered on motion or default, damages are to be assessed, they shall be assessed by the court with the intervention of a jury unless cause be shown why there should be no intervention of a jury.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-5-28 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-5 / Section 9-5-28
§ 9-5-28. Affidavit or admission of service on nonresident.
Status: in_force

A disinterested person, serving process as provided in § 9-5-27, shall make affidavit of the service thereof, and of the manner in which, the time when, and the place where the service was made; or the service thereof may be made by the admission of service by the guardian, executor, or administrator, on the back of the process, and by his or her acknowledgment thereof some officer authorized to administer oaths.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-26-8 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-26 / Section 9-26-8
§ 9-26-8. Sale of mortgaged property.
Status: in_force

When levied on, whether by virtue of an attachment or otherwise, mortgaged property shall be sold by the officer as in other cases of levies on personal property on executions.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-28-1 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-28 / Section 9-28-1
§ 9-28-1. Creditors equitable action.
Status: in_force

Any judgment creditor, after his or her execution has been returned wholly or in part unsatisfied, may, by a civil action in the nature of a creditors bill, reach and apply and subject to the payment and satisfaction of his or her judgment any equitable estate, any equitable assets, or any choses in action of the judgment debtor, except such as shall be exempt from attachment by virtue of statutory provision. The remedy provided by this section shall be cumulative and shall not supersede any existing remedy.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-24-33 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-24 / Section 9-24-33
§ 9-24-33. Procedure for states appeal.
Status: in_force

The attorney general shall file notice of his or her intention to appeal to the supreme court with the clerk of the superior or family court, together with a written request to the court stenographer for a transcript for so much of the testimony as may be required, within twenty (20) days after any adverse finding, ruling, decision, order, or judgment is entered or made, when such has been entered or made, before the defendant has been placed in jeopardy; and the filing shall stay the finding, ruling, decision, order, or judgment which the attorney general is appealing; and if after trial, the defendant has filed notice of his or her intention to appeal to the supreme court, the attorney general shall file notice of his or her intention to appeal to the supreme court within twenty (20) days thereof, in the same manner as provided. An appeal taken pursuant to this section shall proceed in accordance with the rules of appellate procedure of the supreme court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-2-15 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-2 / Section 9-2-15
§ 9-2-15. Actions against members prohibited pending action against association.
Status: in_force

When any action or proceeding is brought to recover any property, or upon any cause of action for or upon which the plaintiff may maintain such an action or proceeding against all the associates by reason of their interest or ownership or claim of ownership therein as provided in §§ 9-2-10  9-2-14, no action or other civil proceeding for the same cause of action shall be brought to recover a personal judgment against the members of the association or any of them until after final judgment in the first action or proceeding and the return of any execution issued thereon wholly or partially unsatisfied.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-32-1 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-32 / Section 9-32-1
§ 9-32-1. Foreign judgment defined.
Status: in_force

In this chapter, foreign judgment means any judgment, decree, or order of a court of the United States or of any other court which is entitled to full faith and credit in this state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-5-10.3 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-5 / Section 9-5-10.3
§ 9-5-10.3. Powers and authority of certified constables.
Status: in_force

(a) No certified constable shall display any badge, emblem, or certification in the course of his or her duties except that which is issued or authorized by the department of business regulation, nor shall any certified constable misrepresent himself or herself as a law enforcement officer or peace officer.

(b) Certified constables shall have no power or authority other than to serve process and execute writs as provided by this section.

(c) The powers and authority of any constable who is presently approved to serve process by the district court shall continue in full force and effect until such time that his or her application for certification is approved in accordance with the certification process set forth in § 9-5-10.5, but in no event shall such period exceed two (2) years.

(d) No certified constable, while serving or executing any process or writ issued by or returnable to the court, is liable in any civil action to respond in damages as a result of his or her acts of commission or omission arising directly out of his or her negligent serving or executing the process or writ except as provided in § 9-5-10.5. In the event a civil action is brought against a certified constable as the result of the performance of his or her duties, the constable is entitled to recover all costs and attorneys fees incurred by the certified constable incidental to the civil action.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-2-2 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-2 / Section 9-2-2
§ 9-2-2. Joinder of defendants in action on contract or instrument.
Status: in_force

When, in an action on any contract or specialty, including a bill of exchange or a promissory note, the property of a surety, endorser, or drawer has been attached, the property of the promissor, acceptor, or principal, properly before the court, if within its jurisdiction, if not attached at the commencement of the action, may be attached on mesne process or execution, and shall in all cases be first applied in the satisfaction of any judgment recovered therein.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-19-3 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-19 / Section 9-19-3
§ 9-19-3. Judicial notice of law of other states.
Status: in_force

Every court of this state shall take judicial notice of the common law and statutes of every state, territory, and other jurisdiction of the United States.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-4-6 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-4 / Section 9-4-6
§ 9-4-6. Dismissal for improper venue  Transfer.
Status: in_force

Except as otherwise provided herein, all actions and suits brought contrary to the provisions of § 9-4-2 shall be dismissed, and any action contrary to §§ 9-4-3  9-4-5, may be dismissed. In lieu of dismissal, any civil action brought in the wrong county, if brought in the superior court, or in the wrong division, if brought in the district court, may, in the discretion of the court, be transferred to a proper county or division.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-7 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-1 / Section 9-1-7
§ 9-1-7. Prosecution and defense of actions by executor or administrator.
Status: in_force

All the causes of action and actions as provided in § 9-1-6 may be originally brought and prosecuted by and against executors and administrators; and if brought or prosecuted by or against any person in his or her lifetime, the action may be prosecuted or defended by his or her executor or administrator.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-34-5 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-34 / Section 9-34-5
§ 9-34-5. Personal jurisdiction.
Status: in_force

(a) A foreign-country judgment may not be refused recognition for lack of personal jurisdiction if:

(1) The defendant was served with process personally in the foreign country;

(2) The defendant voluntarily appeared in the proceeding, other than for the purpose of protecting property seized or threatened with seizure in the proceeding or of contesting the jurisdiction of the court over the defendant;

(3) The defendant, before the commencement of the proceeding, had agreed to submit to the jurisdiction of the foreign court with respect to the subject matter involved;

(4) The defendant was domiciled in the foreign country when the proceeding was instituted or was a corporation or other form of business organization that had its principal place of business in, or was organized under the laws of, the foreign country;

(5) The defendant had a business office in the foreign country and the proceeding in the foreign court involved a cause of action arising out of business done by the defendant through that office in the foreign country; or

(6) The defendant operated a motor vehicle or airplane in the foreign country and the proceeding involved a cause of action arising out of that operation.

(b) The list of bases for personal jurisdiction in subsection (a) of this section is not exclusive. The courts of this state may recognize bases of personal jurisdiction other than those listed in subsection (a) of this section as sufficient to support a foreign-country judgment.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-15-18 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-15 / Section 9-15-18
§ 9-15-18. Summons of witnesses and administration of oaths.
Status: in_force

Referees and auditors shall have power to administer oaths in all matters tried before them, and also power to compel witnesses to attend and give testimony under oath in matters tried before them, in the same manner and by a similar process as courts of record, and any summons for witnesses may be issued and signed by any referee or auditor, or by any clerk of court, notary public, or justice of the peace.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-2-13 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-2 / Section 9-2-13
§ 9-2-13. Death or incapacity of member or representative of association.
Status: in_force

The death or legal incapacity of a member of the association shall not affect an action or other civil proceeding brought as provided in §§ 9-2-11 and 9-2-12. If either of the officers or persons by or against whom the action or other civil proceeding is brought dies, is removed, resigns, or becomes otherwise incapacitated during the pendency thereof, the court before which the action or proceeding is pending shall make an order directing the action or proceeding to be continued by or against his or her successor in office or by or against any other officer or member who might have been a party originally to the action or proceeding.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-26-4.1 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-26 / Section 9-26-4.1
§ 9-26-4.1. Homestead estate exemption.
Status: in_force

(a) In addition to the property exempt from attachment as set forth in § 9-26-4, an estate of homestead to the extent of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) in the land and buildings, or personal property that the owner uses as a residence, may be acquired pursuant to this section by an owner of a home or an individual who rightfully possesses the premises by lease, as a life tenant, as a beneficiary of a revocable or irrevocable trust or otherwise, and who occupies or intends to occupy the home as his or her principal residence. The estate of homestead provided pursuant to this section shall be automatic by operation of law, and without any requirement or necessity for the filing of a declaration, a statement in a deed, or any other documentation. The estate shall be exempt from the laws of attachment, levy on execution, and sale for payment of debts or legacies, except in the following cases:

(1) Sale for taxes, sewer liens, water liens, lighting district assessments, and fire district assessments;

(2) For a debt contracted prior to the acquisition of the estate of homestead;

(3) For a debt contracted for the purchase of the home;

(4) Upon an order issued by the family court to enforce its judgment that a spouse pay a certain amount weekly or otherwise for the support of a spouse or minor children;

(5) Where a building or buildings are situated on land not owned by the owner of a homestead estate are attached, levied upon or sold for the ground rent of the lot upon which the building or buildings are situated;

(6) For a debt due to, or a lien in favor of, the department of human services and/or the state of Rhode Island for reimbursement of medical assistance, as provided for in § 40-8-15;

(7) For a debt heretofore or hereafter owing to a federally insured deposit-taking institution or a person regulated or licensed under title 19.

(b) For the purposes of this section, owner of a home includes a sole owner, lessee (but only a lessee who or that was the owner of a home prior to a transfer to the lessor), joint tenant, tenant by the entirety, or tenant in common; provided, that only one individual may acquire an estate of homestead in the home for the benefit of his or her family; and provided further, that an estate of homestead may be acquired on only one principal residence for the benefit of a family. For the purposes of this section, family includes either a parent and child or children, a husband and wife and their children, if any, or a sole owner. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any debt owing to a regulated institution, a debt secured by a mortgage or other voluntary lien on a home, or a mechanics lien on the property comprising the estate as provided for under chapter 28 of title 34. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, it shall not be necessary to record a declaration of homestead in order to take advantage of the homestead estate exemption.

(c) An estate of homestead shall be subordinate to a mortgage encumbering the home that was signed by all the owners of the home at the time of execution of said mortgage. A mortgage executed by fewer than all of the owners of a home that is subject to an estate of homestead shall be superior only to the homestead estate of the owners who are parties to the mortgage and their non-titled spouses and minor children, if any.

(d) For purposes of this chapter, a mortgage shall include an instrument granting a security interest in a manufactured home or cooperative housing unit. The subordination shall not require the signature of a spouse who is not an owner. No statement that a homestead estate shall be subordinate to the mortgage shall be required in the mortgage instrument and nothing contained in a mortgage or any document executed in connection with the mortgage shall affect or be construed to create, modify, or terminate a homestead estate, other than to subordinate it to the mortgage as aforesaid. A mortgage lender shall not require or record a release of homestead in connection with the making and recording of a mortgage.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-2-6 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-2 / Section 9-2-6
§ 9-2-6. Liability of representatives of deceased joint contractor.
Status: in_force

Unless otherwise provided in the contract, upon the death of any joint contractor, his or her representatives may be charged in the same manner as such representatives might have been charged if the contract had been several instead of joint; provided, that the plaintiff shall first exhaust the partnership estate if the joint contract is a partnership contract.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-30-11 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-30 / Section 9-30-11
§ 9-30-11. Parties.
Status: in_force

When declaratory relief is sought, all persons shall be made parties who have or claim any interest which would be affected by the declaration, and no declaration shall prejudice the rights of persons not parties to the proceeding. In any proceeding which involves the validity of a municipal ordinance or franchise, the municipality shall be made a party, and shall be entitled to be heard, and if the statute, ordinance, or franchise is alleged to be unconstitutional, the attorney general of the state shall also be served with a copy of the proceeding and be entitled to be heard.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-9-3 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-9 / Section 9-9-3
§ 9-9-3. Persons exempt from service.
Status: in_force

The following persons shall be exempted from serving as jurors, unless such persons shall waive their exemption, namely: the members of congress from the state of Rhode Island, the general officers of the state, the members and officers of the general assembly during their tenure of office irrespective of whether the general assembly is in session or not, the jury commissioner and his or her assistants, the justices of the state and United States courts, clerks of those courts, practicing attorneys-at-law, correctional officers, deputy sheriffs, probation and parole officers, members of any paid police force of the state or of any city or town, members of any paid fire department of any city or town, and members of the armed services on active duty.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-19-33 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-19 / Section 9-19-33
§ 9-19-33. Res ipsa loquitur in medical malpractice actions.
Status: in_force

In actions against licensed physicians, hospitals, clinics, health maintenance organizations, or professional service corporations providing health care services under chapter 5.1 of title 7 for malpractice in providing treatment to patients, the issue of res ipsa loquitur shall be a preliminary question of fact for the court to determine. The issue will be submitted to the jury by the court only in the event that, after weighing the evidence and the credibility of witnesses, the court is of the opinion that reasonable minds might fairly come to different conclusions as to whether the evidence of the circumstances would create a basis for a reasonable inference of negligence.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-17-5.1 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-17 / Section 9-17-5.1
§ 9-17-5.1. Subpoena for production of documentary evidence.
Status: in_force

(a) When a subpoena for the production of books, papers, documents, or tangible things is served on a federal or state agency, public utility, national bank, insurance company, financial institution, or a public or private institution of higher education organized under state or federal laws, it shall be deemed a sufficient response to the subpoena if the employee of the entity charged with the responsibility of being custodian of the original records promptly provides the attorney for the party causing service of the subpoena copies of all documents requested by the subpoena. All responses to the subpoena shall contain a certificate which shall be signed before a notary public by the employee of the entity charged with the responsibility of being custodian of the records and shall include a legend substantially to the following effect: The copies of records for which this certification is made are true and complete reproductions of the original or microfilmed records which are in the possession of (name of entity). The original records were made in the regular course of business, and it was the regular course of (name of entity) to make such records at or near the time of the matter recorded. This certification is given pursuant to Rhode Island general laws § 9-17-5.1 by the custodian of the records in lieu of his or her personal appearance.

(b) Documents or records of any federal or state agency, public utility, national bank, financial institution organized under state or federal laws, a public or private institution of higher education, or of a hospital that are susceptible to photostatic reproduction may be proved as to foundation, identity, and authenticity without any preliminary testimony, by use of legible and durable copies, certified in the manner provided in subsection (a) by the employee of the entity charged with the responsibility of being custodian of the originals thereof. The copies may be used in any trial, hearing, deposition, or any other judicial or administrative action or proceeding, whether civil or criminal, in lieu of the original documents or records which, however, the entity shall hold available for inspection and comparison by the court, tribunal, or hearing officer and by the parties and their attorneys of record.

(c) In the event any of the entities are unable to provide the documents requested in the subpoena due to the timeliness of the service of the subpoena or for other legal reasons, then the employee charged with the responsibility of being custodian of the records for the entity shall set forth in the certificate required hereunder the specific reasons for the noncompliance, the time of service of the subpoena, and if appropriate the time anticipated in complying with the subpoena.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-2-8 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-2 / Section 9-2-8
§ 9-2-8. Assignee of nonnegotiable chose in action.
Status: in_force

The assignee of a nonnegotiable chose in action which has been assigned in writing may maintain an action thereon in his or her own name, but subject to all defenses and rights of counterclaim, recoupment, or setoff to which the defendant would have been entitled had the action been brought in the name of the assignor.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-5-18 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-5 / Section 9-5-18
§ 9-5-18. Adaptation of forms to more than one defendant.
Status: in_force

Whenever process shall issue against more than one defendant, the forms provided by law may be altered so as to combine the summons, the writ of arrest, and the writ of attachment, in order that they may be served on one or more of the defendants by one form of service and on the other or others by another form of service.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-5-10.1 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-5 / Section 9-5-10.1
§ 9-5-10.1. Certification of constables.
Status: in_force

(a)(1) A person at least twenty-one (21) years of age who complies with the statute and the requirements set forth in any regulations promulgated by the department of business regulation may file an application with the department requesting that the applicant be certified as a constable. Once issued by the department, the certification shall be effective for a period of two (2) years or until the approval is withdrawn by the department. A certified constable shall be entitled to serve or execute writs and process in such capacity for any court of the state, anywhere in the state, subject to any terms and limitations as set forth by the court.

(2) A person to be certified as a constable shall provide documentation and evidence satisfactory to the department of business regulations that the person possesses the specified minimum qualifications to include:

(i) Sixty (60) hours of earned credit from an accredited college, university, or institution; or

(ii) Four (4) years of honorable military service; or

(iii) Twenty (20) years of honorable service with a local, state, or federal law enforcement agency; and

(iv) United State citizenship; and

(v) Possession of a valid motor vehicle operators license; and

(vi) Successful completion of unlawful drug use screening; and

(vii) Successful completion of psychological testing approved by the department of business regulation.

(b) Certification process. (1) Application. (i) Any person seeking certification pursuant to this section shall complete an application and submit it to the department of business regulation in the form designated by the department for such applications. (ii) The application shall include information determined by the department to be relevant to licensure and shall include a national criminal background check. (2) Referral to certified constables board. Once the applicant has provided a completed application, the department shall refer the applicant to the certified constables board by providing a copy of the application to the board. (3) Training. (i) Following review of the application, the board shall determine whether the applicant should be recommended for training to be conducted by a volunteer training constable. If the board determines that training is appropriate, the applicant shall be assigned to a training constable who shall be a constable in good standing for a minimum of ten (10) years and who is approved by the department. (ii) Training shall consist of a minimum of ninety (90) hours to be completed no sooner than ninety (90) days from the date of the referral by the board. The department may waive the training requirement of this section for an applicant who has graduated from a certified police or law enforcement academy and who has a minimum of twenty (20) years of honorable service as a police or law enforcement officer. (iii) Within thirty (30) days from the conclusion of training, a written report shall be submitted by the training constable to the board with a copy to the department that reflects the dates and times of training and comments on the aptitude of the trainee. (iv) If the board concludes that training is not appropriate or if the report of the training constable concludes that the applicant does not have the aptitude to perform the duties of a constable, the board shall so inform the department which shall deny the application on that basis. (4) Oral and written tests. (i) Upon the successful completion of the training period and recommendation from the training constable, within ninety (90) days, the applicant shall complete an oral examination on the legal and practical aspects of certified constables duties that shall be created and administered by the board. (ii) Upon the successful completion of the oral examination, within sixty (60) days the applicant must complete a written test created by the board and approved by the department that measures the applicants knowledge of state law and court procedure. (iii) If the board concludes that the applicant has not successfully passed either the oral or written test, the board shall so inform the department which shall deny the application on that basis. (5) Final review. The department shall review the application, training record, test scores, and such other information or documentation as required and shall determine whether the applicant shall be approved for certification and the person authorized to serve process in the state.

(c) Any person certified as a constable on the effective date of this act shall continue to be certified without complying with the certification requirements prescribed by this act.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-5-22 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-5 / Section 9-5-22
§ 9-5-22. False swearing in affidavit to support writ.
Status: in_force

Every person who shall willfully swear falsely to any statement in an affidavit made by him or her, by means of which affidavit a writ of arrest or attachment shall have issued and been served by arrest or attachment, shall be deemed guilty of perjury.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-22-21 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-22 / Section 9-22-21
§ 9-22-21. Costs on depositions.
Status: in_force

The taxation of costs in the taking of depositions shall be subject to the discretion of the court. No costs shall be allowed unless the court finds that the taking of the deposition was reasonably necessary, whether or not the deposition was actually used at the trial. Taxable costs may include the cost of service of subpoena upon the deponent, the reasonable charge of the officer before whom the deposition was taken, the fees and mileage allowances of witnesses, the stenographers reasonable fee for attendance, and the cost of the transcript of the testimony or such part thereof as the court may fix.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-30-12 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-30 / Section 9-30-12
§ 9-30-12. Construction.
Status: in_force

This chapter is declared to be remedial; its purpose is to settle and to afford relief from uncertainty and insecurity with respect to rights, status, and other legal relations; and is to be liberally construed and administered. The remedy provided by this chapter shall be cumulative and shall not exclude or prevent the exercise of any other right, remedy, or process heretofore allowed by law or by previous enactment of the legislature.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-19-4 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-19 / Section 9-19-4
§ 9-19-4. Information as to foreign law.
Status: in_force

The court may inform itself of such laws in such manner as it may deem proper, and the court may call upon counsel to aid it in obtaining the information.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-5-23 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-5 / Section 9-5-23
§ 9-5-23. Time of service of original writs  Writs returnable on holiday.
Status: in_force

Every original writ issuing from the superior court shall be returnable thereto on the day named in the writ, and shall be served not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the return day thereof, except in those cases in which special provision by law shall be made to the contrary; and every original writ issuing from a district court shall be served not less than six (6) nor more than twenty (20) days before the return day thereof; provided, that writs issued in civil actions returnable to any court on a legal holiday shall not thereby abate, but may be entered on the next court day of the court for civil business with the same effect as if made returnable at such later court day, and in such event all periods of time for pleading and for action of every character in the case shall begin to run from the court day next following the legal holiday.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-29-11 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-29 / Section 9-29-11
§ 9-29-11. Allowances for service of search warrant and aid in other process.
Status: in_force

A reasonable allowance may be made by any court or magistrate to an officer serving a search warrant and to any person employed by an officer as aid in the service of any process, whenever the allowance shall be adjudged necessary by the court or justice, not exceeding in any case one dollar ($1.00) per day to each person so employed.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-18-4 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-18 / Section 9-18-4
§ 9-18-4. Service and return of notice.
Status: in_force

The officer or other person charged with the service of the notification shall serve the notification by reading it to the party to be cited, if to be found; and if not to be found, by leaving a copy thereof at his or her usual place of abode; and shall, in his or her return, state the manner and time of the service; and whenever the service shall be made by any person other than a sworn officer, he or she shall verify the return, under oath, before some officer authorized to administer oaths.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-26-32 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-26 / Section 9-26-32
§ 9-26-32. Time of day of levy to be noted.
Status: in_force

As diverse levies of the same real or personal estate may happen to be made on the same day, the officer who shall make any such levy, whether of real or personal estate, shall in his or her return set forth the time of the day when the levy was made, to the end that the priority of the attaching and levying creditors may be known.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-6-14 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-6 / Section 9-6-14
§ 9-6-14. Tender unimpaired by demand for receipt.
Status: in_force

The requirement or demand of a receipt for the amount of lawful money as may be offered or tendered shall not prevent the offer or tender from being regarded or held to be a legal tender.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-25-10 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-25 / Section 9-25-10
§ 9-25-10. Form of district court writs of possession.
Status: in_force

(a) Writs of possession, issuing from a district court, shall be substantially in the following form:

(b) If an officer, serving an execution issued under this section on a judgment for the plaintiff for possession of land or tenements, removes personal property belonging to a person other than the plaintiff from the land or tenements and places it upon the sidewalk, highway, street, or way on which land or tenements abut, he or she may forthwith and before the expiration of the time limited in any statute or ordinance for the removal of obstructions in the street, remove the personal property and cause it to be stored for the benefit of the owners thereof.

(c) Whoever accepts the personal property on storage from the officer shall have a lien thereon for reasonable storage fees and for reasonable expenses of removing it to the place of storage, but the lien shall not be enforced by sale of the property until the property has been kept on storage for at least thirty (30) days.

(d) If the owner of the property is present and claims it when it is so removed from the land or tenements, the officer shall not remove and store it, and his or her act of placing it upon the sidewalk, highway, street, or way shall be deemed to be the act of the owner, who alone shall be held to answer therefor.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-15-21 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-15 / Section 9-15-21
§ 9-15-21. Stenographic reports and transcripts.
Status: in_force

Masters in chancery, auditors, and referees may employ stenographers to report and transcribe the testimony taken in causes referred to them, and the cost of the reports and transcripts shall be allowed as part of the costs.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-3-4 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-3 / Section 9-3-4
§ 9-3-4. Hospital lien on claim for personal injuries.
Status: in_force

Every association, corporation, or other institution, including a municipal corporation, maintaining a hospital in the state, which shall furnish medical or other service to any patient injured by reason of an accident not covered by the workers compensation act, shall, if the injured party shall assert or maintain a claim against another for damages on account of the injuries, have a lien upon that part going or belonging to the patient, of any recovery or sum had or collected or to be collected by the patient, or by his or her heirs or personal representatives in the case of his or her death, whether by judgment or by settlement or compromise, to the amount of the reasonable and necessary charges of the hospital up to the date of payment of the damages; provided, however, that the lien herein set forth shall not be applied or considered valid against anyone coming under the workers compensation act in this state; and, provided, further, that nothing herein enacted shall be so construed as to give the lien herein created precedence over the lien of an attorney.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-39 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-1 / Section 9-1-39
§ 9-1-39. Civil action for desecration.
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, any person, organization, corporation, or association which is the owner of property that is injured, destroyed, written upon, painted, or otherwise damaged or defaced in violation of § 11-44-31 may bring an action for compensatory damages against the person or persons committing the offense described in § 11-44-31.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-19-12.1 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-19 / Section 9-19-12.1
§ 9-19-12.1. Releases for personal injuries.
Status: in_force

No person, firm, or corporation whose interest is adverse to that of a person receiving personal injuries as a result of a tortious act shall negotiate any contract, written or oral, or any settlement to release the person, firm, or corporation from liability, within thirty (30) days from the date of the tortious act. Any contract settlement or release obtained in violation of this section shall be voidable at the option of the releasor upon restoration of the consideration.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-15-8 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-15 / Section 9-15-8
§ 9-15-8. Recording of decisions involving real estate.
Status: in_force

Whenever any rule, entered into under the provisions of this chapter, shall concern the title to real estate, the referees shall report their proceedings, with a plat of the real estate in question showing the title as affected by their decisions; and if their report is finally received, a copy of the report and plat, certified by the clerk of the court where the rule is entered, shall be recorded in the records of land evidence in the town or city in which the estate shall be, and the expense of the record shall be a part of the costs of the party against whom the referees shall have decided, unless otherwise agreed.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-14-28 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-14 / Section 9-14-28
§ 9-14-28. Court rule or order varying forms of process or mode of proceeding.
Status: in_force

The superior court may, by general rule or by special order, vary the forms of process, mode of proceeding, or of decree, heretofore in use, in such manner as may be necessary to carry into effect the provisions of any statute of this state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-17-8 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-17 / Section 9-17-8
§ 9-17-8. Attachment of witness in criminal proceeding.
Status: in_force

Whenever any witness, duly served with a subpoena to testify in any criminal proceeding at any court, shall neglect to appear according to the tenor of the subpoena, the court may order a writ of attachment to issue against him or her, returnable at such time as the court shall direct, and may direct the writ of attachment to each and all deputy sheriffs, town sergeants, and constables within the state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-15-20 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-15 / Section 9-15-20
§ 9-15-20. Protection of parties and witnesses in referred matters.
Status: in_force

Masters in chancery, auditors, and referees shall have the same power to issue writs of protection to parties and witnesses in matters pending before them as is possessed by the courts from which they derive their appointment, and the signing of such writs by any one master, auditor, or referee, who has been duly sworn, shall be sufficient.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-27.3 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-1 / Section 9-1-27.3
§ 9-1-27.3. Court appointed law clerk advocate program  Immunity from liability.
Status: in_force

The state shall protect and hold harmless any law clerk employed by the supreme court participating in the court appointed law clerk advocate program from financial loss and expenses, including legal fees and costs, if any, arising out of any claim, demand, or suit for damages resulting from acts or omissions committed in the discharge of his or her duties with the program which may constitute negligence, but which acts are not wanton, malicious, or grossly negligent as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction. The supreme court shall, by order, promulgate rules governing the court appointed law clerk advocate program, defining the types of cases and proceedings in which the law clerks, who have passed the Rhode Island bar, may participate as advocates under that program, and providing for appropriate general supervision of the law clerk advocates within that program by experienced members of the bar of this state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-27 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-1 / Section 9-1-27
§ 9-1-27. Police and firefighters  Immunity from liability.
Status: in_force

No member of any police force or fire department of the state or any city or town, investigators of the department of attorney general appointed pursuant to § 42-9-8.1, inspectors and agents of the Rhode Island state fugitive task force appointed pursuant to § 12-6-7.2, or any person acting in the capacity of a rescue attendant or member of a rescue squad, and no officer or member in active service in any incorporated protective department cooperating with fire departments, and no person performing the duties of a firefighter in a town or city, and no member of any volunteer fire company or volunteer rescue squad or member of any voluntary ambulance association, whether the company or squad is incorporated or not, who while on duty and in the performance of that duty voluntarily and gratuitously renders emergency assistance to a person in need thereof, and no person properly certified by the American heart association or the American national red cross in basic or advanced life support as defined in the standards of the American heart association or the American national red cross who voluntarily and gratuitously renders emergency assistance to a person in need thereof shall be liable for civil damages for any personal injuries or property damage which result from acts or omissions by the persons rendering the emergency care, which may constitute ordinary negligence. This immunity does not apply to acts or omissions constituting gross, willful, or wanton negligence.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-18-12 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-18 / Section 9-18-12
§ 9-18-12. Petition for perpetuation of testimony  Designation of person to take deposition.
Status: in_force

Any person, desirous of perpetuating the testimony of any witness concerning any matter which is or may be the subject of litigation, as well before as after litigation is commenced, may present a petition in writing to any justice of the supreme or superior or family court, or to any justice of a district court, setting forth the reasons of his or her application, the name of the witness or witnesses, the subject matter of the controversy, and the names of all persons known to be interested therein, and praying that the deposition of the witness or witnesses may be taken; and thereupon if the justice be satisfied of the reasonableness of the petition, he or she shall designate some notary public or standing master in chancery to take the deposition, to whom the petition, with the order of designation thereon, shall be sent.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-4-4 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-4 / Section 9-4-4
§ 9-4-4. Venue in personal or transitory actions involving corporations.
Status: in_force

Personal or transitory actions and suits brought by or against corporations, if brought in the superior court, shall be brought in the court for the county, and if brought in a district court, shall be brought in the division in which the other party or some one of the other parties dwell, or in the court for the county or in the district court for the division in which the defendant or some one of the defendants shall be found, or in which the corporation is located by its charter, or if not located by its charter, in which the annual meetings of the corporation are required to be, or if not required to be, are actually held.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-12-12 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-12 / Section 9-12-12
§ 9-12-12. Appeal bond of defendant in action for possession of commercial or other tenements let.
Status: in_force

Every defendant in an action for the possession of commercial or other tenements let or held at will or sufferance, other than actions pursuant to chapter 18 of title 34, claiming an appeal shall, in addition to making the payments required by § 9-12-10, give bond to the plaintiff, with one or more sureties satisfactory to the district court, to pay all rent or other money due, or which may become due pending the action under the tenancy, and such damages and costs as may be awarded against him or her, the bond to be filed with the clerk of the district court, or person acting as clerk, at the time of claiming an appeal.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-26-18 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-26 / Section 9-26-18
§ 9-26-18. Sale after return day of execution.
Status: in_force

The sale shall be made under the execution levied thereon, although the return day thereof may have passed.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-5-3 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-5 / Section 9-5-3
§ 9-5-3. Facsimile signature of clerk or seal of the court.
Status: in_force

A facsimile of the signature of the clerk of the superior court for each of the counties of Providence and Bristol, Newport, Washington, and Kent, or the district court for each division, imprinted by him or her, with the seal of the court affixed or a facsimile of the court seal, upon any civil process, original, supplementary, or final, or upon any copy of or accompanying the process, or upon any subpoena, or upon any other paper requiring the signature of the clerk and the seal of the court issuing out of the court of which he or she is clerk, except complaints and warrants, mittimuses, capiases, remands, and writs of habeas corpus, shall have the same validity as his or her written signature.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-10-11.1 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-10 / Section 9-10-11.1
§ 9-10-11.1. Size of juries in civil cases.
Status: in_force

Juries in civil cases shall be composed of six (6) persons and such alternate jurors as may be called pursuant to § 9-10-13.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-24-10 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-24 / Section 9-24-10
§ 9-24-10. New evidence on appeal.
Status: in_force

No new testimony shall be presented to the supreme court on appeal, but in case of accident or mistake, or erroneous ruling excluding evidence in the superior court, the supreme court may grant leave to parties to present further evidence, and may provide by general rule or special order for the taking of such evidence.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-10-1 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-10 / Section 9-10-1
§ 9-10-1. Notice by court of jurors required  Notifications to sergeants and constables.
Status: in_force

From time to time as occasion may require, the superior court or family court shall direct notices to be sent by the clerk thereof to the jury commissioner that there will be required for the county or counties for which the court is held a certain number of grand or petit jurors and the time and place at which they are required to attend. And the jury commissioner, on receiving the notice, shall take from the list of jurors qualified as provided in chapter 9 of this title, in the order in which their names appear on the jury list, so many names as may be required to ensure the attendance of the number of jurors required by the court and shall issue notifications to the city or town sergeant or any certified constable, either in person, or by one of his or her assistants, or by registered or certified mail, and under his or her hand and seal, designating who are grand and petit jurors, and the time and place at which the jurors are required to attend. Upon consent of the town sergeant of the town where any juror resides, the jury commissioner may retain the notifications for service by the jury commissioner or his or her agents.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-35 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-1 / Section 9-1-35
§ 9-1-35. Civil action for ethnic or religious intimidation and/or vandalism.
Status: in_force

(a) Any person, who is maliciously subjected to an act or acts which would reasonably be construed as intended to harass or intimidate the person because of his or her race, religion, or national origin, may bring an action in the superior court against the perpetrator of the act or acts for compensatory damages including damages for emotional distress. The court, in its discretion, may also restrain and enjoin such future acts by the defendant.

(b) If any provision or part of this section or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the section which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions or parts of this section are severable.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-21-8 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-21 / Section 9-21-8
§ 9-21-8. Interest on judgment for money.
Status: in_force

Every judgment for money shall draw interest at the rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum to the time of its discharge.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-6-11 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-6 / Section 9-6-11
§ 9-6-11. Substantial performance as defense to action on bond.
Status: in_force

Whenever any action shall be brought upon any bond which has a condition of defeasance to make void the bond upon the payment of a less sum at a day or place certain, if the obligor, his or her heirs, executors, or administrators have, before the action brought, paid to the obligee, his or her heirs, executors, or administrators the principal and interest due by the defeasance or condition of the bond, although the payment was not made strictly according to the condition or defeasance, yet it may, nevertheless, be pleaded in defense of the action, and shall be as effectual a bar thereof as if the money had been paid at the day and place, according to the condition or defeasance, and had been so pleaded.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-17-11 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-17 / Section 9-17-11
§ 9-17-11. Civil liability for failure to attend.
Status: in_force

Every witness who does not appear according to the tenor of the subpoena, and has no reasonable excuse for his or her nonappearance, shall be liable to an action by the aggrieved party for all damages sustained in consequence of the default.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-35-12 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-35 / Section 9-35-12
§ 9-35-12. Official comments.
Status: in_force

It is the intention of the general assembly that the official comments to the Uniform Registration of Canadian Money Judgments Act as approved and recommended for enactment in all the States by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws in 2019 represent the express legislative intent of the general assembly and shall be used as a guide for interpretation of this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-19-26 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-19 / Section 9-19-26
§ 9-19-26. Testimony in divorce, separation, and annulment proceedings.
Status: in_force

In all cases of divorce, separation, and annulment of marriage, the testimony shall be given viva voce in open court; provided, however, that the family court may permit the taking of depositions in cases where the witnesses or parties are aged, infirm, or too ill to appear in court or for any other special cause.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-35-10 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-35 / Section 9-35-10
§ 9-35-10. Uniformity of application and interpretation.
Status: in_force

In applying and construing this uniform act, consideration must be given to the need to promote uniformity of the law with respect to its subject matter among states that enact it.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-25-22 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-25 / Section 9-25-22
§ 9-25-22. Execution against defendant released from arrest by court.
Status: in_force

Whenever the court in which an original writ is returnable shall release the defendant therein from arrest and discharge the bail, if any taken thereon, the execution in such actions shall not issue against the body of the defendant so released, but against his or her goods and chattels and real estate.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-1 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-1 / Section 9-1-1
§ 9-1-1. Action on promissory note.
Status: in_force

Whenever any persons or bodies corporate, by themselves or by any person by them lawfully authorized for the purpose, shall make or sign any promissory note whereby the persons or bodies corporate shall promise to pay to any other person or body corporate any sum of money or specific article mentioned in the note, the sum or article shall be taken and construed to be, by virtue thereof, due and payable to the person or body corporate; and the person or body corporate may maintain an action for the sum or article against the person or body corporate who shall have made the promissory note.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-34-3 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-34 / Section 9-34-3
§ 9-34-3. Applicability.
Status: in_force

(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this section, this chapter applies to a foreign-country judgment to the extent that the judgment:

(1) Grants or denies recovery of a sum of money; and

(2) Under the law of the foreign country where rendered, is final, conclusive, and enforceable.

(b) This chapter does not apply to a foreign-country judgment, even if the judgment grants or denies recovery of a sum of money, to the extent that the judgment is:

(1) A judgment for taxes;

(2) A fine or other penalty; or

(3) A judgment for divorce, support, or maintenance, or other judgment rendered in connection with domestic relations.

(c) A party seeking recognition of a foreign-country judgment has the burden of establishing that this chapter applies to the foreign-country judgment.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-14-25 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-14 / Section 9-14-25
§ 9-14-25. Expenses and counsel fees paid out of decedents or trust estate.
Status: in_force

In any civil action or other proceeding wherein construction of a will or trust deed or any part thereof is asked, there may be allowed to each of the parties defendant brought in by the action or other proceeding, applying therefor, such reasonable sum for expenses and on account of counsel fees as the court in which the case is pending shall deem proper; the allowance shall be taxed as costs in the cause and be paid out of the estate or fund in the hands of the complainant concerning which estate or fund the construction is asked.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-5-31 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-5 / Section 9-5-31
§ 9-5-31. Filing fee for power of attorney.
Status: in_force

A fee of five dollars ($5.00) shall be paid to the secretary of state, for the use of the state, upon the filing in his or her office of any paper required to be filed by §§ 9-5-29  9-5-32.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-34 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-1 / Section 9-1-34
§ 9-1-34. Administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation or automated external defibrillation  Immunity from liability.
Status: in_force

(a) No person, whether acting in an official capacity or as a private volunteer, who gratuitously renders emergency assistance in the nature of cardiopulmonary resuscitation or automated external defibrillation to a person in need thereof, shall be liable for civil damages for any personal injuries which result from acts or omissions by such persons rendering the emergency care, which may constitute ordinary negligence; provided, however, that this immunity applies only to persons who have been trained in accordance with standards promulgated by either the American heart association or the American national red cross. This immunity does not apply to acts or omissions constituting gross, willful, or wanton negligence. This immunity shall also extend to persons providing approved training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and use of automated external defibrillation in accordance with standards promulgated by either the American heart association or the American national red cross and to physicians providing medical direction oversight for programs of automated external defibrillator use.

(b) Property lessees and owners where the emergency assistance occurs as well as the owners of the actual life saving equipment shall enjoy immunity from liability.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-5-9 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-5 / Section 9-5-9
§ 9-5-9. Warrants for commitment to state-operated facilities.
Status: in_force

Any warrant or mittimus issued from any superior or district court committing any person to the Eleanor Slater hospital or Rhode Island state psychiatric hospital shall be directed to and executed by duly authorized agents of the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals, who shall make return thereon, the provisions of any other law to the contrary notwithstanding.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-16-1 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-16 / Section 9-16-1
§ 9-16-1. Court order for view.
Status: in_force

In all cases in which it shall seem advisable to the court, on request of either party, a view by the jury may be ordered; and in all such cases, the court shall regulate the proceedings at the view and, in its discretion, accompany the jury.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-17-25 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-17 / Section 9-17-25
§ 9-17-25. Privileged communication  Interpreter.
Status: in_force

Whenever a sign language interpreter is used to facilitate a communication which is privileged pursuant to either statutory law or common law between parties, one or more of whom is hearing impaired, the sign language interpreter shall not be compelled to testify in any forum regarding that communication.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-26-5 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-26 / Section 9-26-5
§ 9-26-5. Exemption of police and firefighters pensions  Assignments invalid.
Status: in_force

No interest of any person in any pension fund or in any pension derivable therefrom, for the benefit of police officers or firefighters, now or hereafter created or held by authority of law by any city or town, or by any public officer or officers or board of officers therein, to which fund the city or town contributes in any way, shall be subject to trustee process or liable to attachment on any writ, original, mesne, or judicial, or be taken on execution or any process, legal or equitable; and no assignment of any such interest shall be valid.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-26-9 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-26 / Section 9-26-9
§ 9-26-9. Proceeds of sale of mortgaged property.
Status: in_force

The proceeds of the sale shall be applied to the payment of the amount due on the mortgage, with such deduction for interest for the anticipated payment, or allowance for damages for such anticipated payment, as may be ascertained and allowed by the court to which the execution is returnable, and the balance shall be applied to the payment of the amount due on the execution.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-29-15 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-29 / Section 9-29-15
§ 9-29-15. Indorsement of fees on process.
Status: in_force

Every officer who shall serve any process, civil or criminal, shall indorse thereon the several items which constitute the amount of his or her fees, and on failure thereof the fees shall not be taxed or allowed in any bill of costs, nor be recoverable by law.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-10-8 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-10 / Section 9-10-8
§ 9-10-8. Period of service of jurors.
Status: in_force

No person summoned as a petit juror shall be required to serve more than two (2) weeks in any year in which he or she may be summoned; unless at the expiration of the period of two (2) weeks he or she shall be actually serving on a jury theretofore impaneled to try an issue then pending and undetermined, in which case he or she shall continue to serve until the trial is concluded. Notwithstanding the above provisions, if a juror has been tentatively selected to serve on a jury by the parties litigant and the juror has not been formally sworn and impaneled by the end of the two (2) week period, the trial judge, in his or her discretion, may extend the two (2) week term until the trial is concluded or until the juror is excused. Provided every person summoned as a grand juror shall serve as such in the term for which he or she is summoned for such time or times as the court may require and until a succeeding grand jury shall be called and impaneled as provided by law.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-8-6 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-8 / Section 9-8-6
§ 9-8-6. Reinstatement.
Status: in_force

Any case dismissed under §§ 9-8-3  9-8-5, may be reinstated by the court with or without terms upon motion within one year from dismissal, if the court deems it proper to prevent injustice.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-35-4 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-35 / Section 9-35-4
§ 9-35-4. Registration of Canadian judgment.
Status: in_force

(a) A person seeking recognition of a Canadian judgment described in § 9-35-3 to enforce the judgment may register the judgment in the office of the clerk of a court in which an action for recognition of the judgment could be filed under § 9-34-6.

(b) A registration under subsection (a) of this section must be executed by the person registering the judgment or the persons attorney and include:

(1) A copy of the Canadian judgment authenticated in the same manner as a copy of a foreign judgment is authenticated in an action under § 9-34-6 as an accurate copy by the court that entered the judgment;

(2) The name and address of the person registering the judgment;

(3) If the person registering the judgment is not the person in whose favor the judgment was rendered, a statement describing the interest the person registering the judgment has in the judgment which entitles the person to seek its recognition and enforcement;

(4) The name and last-known address of the person against whom the judgment is being registered;

(5) If the judgment is of the type described in § 9-35-3(b) or (c), a description of the part of the judgment being registered;

(6) The amount of the judgment or part of the judgment being registered, identifying:

(i) The amount of interest accrued as of the date of registration on the judgment or part of the judgment being registered, the rate of interest, the part of the judgment to which interest applies, and the date when interest began to accrue;

(ii) Costs and expenses included in the judgment or part of the judgment being registered, other than an amount awarded for attorneys fees; and

(iii) The amount of an award of attorneys fees included in the judgment or part of the judgment being registered;

(7) The amount, as of the date of registration, of post-judgment costs, expenses, and attorneys fees claimed by the person registering the judgment or part of the judgment;

(8) The amount of the judgment or part of the judgment being registered which has been satisfied as of the date of registration;

(9) A statement that:

(i) The judgment is final, conclusive, and enforceable under the law of the Canadian jurisdiction in which it was rendered;

(ii) The judgment or part of the judgment being registered is within the scope of this chapter; and

(iii) If a part of the judgment is being registered, the amounts stated in the registration under subsections (b)(6), (b)(7), and (b)(8) of this section relate to the part;

(10) If the judgment is not in English, a certified translation of the judgment into English; and

(11) A registration fee of one hundred sixty dollars ($160).

(c) On receipt of a registration that includes the documents, information, and registration fee required by subsection (b) of this section, the clerk shall file the registration, assign a civil action number, and enter the Canadian judgment in the courts docket.

(d) A registration substantially in the following form complies with the registration requirements under subsection (b) of this section if the registration includes the attachments specified in the form:
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-26-24 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-26 / Section 9-26-24
§ 9-26-24. Levy on corporate stock not previously attached.
Status: repealed

The stock or shares of any person whatsoever in any banking association or in any incorporated company within this state, or in any foreign corporation having an attorney in this state appointed by law upon whom service of process against it can be made according to the provisions of chapter 5 of this title, shall be liable to be levied on by execution duly obtained, like other personal property; and the execution being directed to the proper officer according to law, he or she may levy the stock and shares, in the manner set forth in §§ 9-26-22 and 9-26-23, upon any stock or shares of the defendant to be found within his or her precinct, and shall proceed to advertise and sell and give deeds thereof in the manner therein prescribed subject to the requirements of § 6A-8-317 [repealed].
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-26-23 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-26 / Section 9-26-23
§ 9-26-23. Sale and transfer of stock.
Status: in_force

The stock or shares, or so much thereof as shall be necessary, shall be advertised and sold in the same manner as other personal property levied on by execution, and a deed or deeds thereof given by the officer shall vest in the purchaser all the right, title, and interest of the defendant in the shares so sold, and shall be recorded by the recording officer of the company, subject to the provisions of § 6A-8-317.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-28-3 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-28 / Section 9-28-3
§ 9-28-3. Citation  Payment agreement  Hearing to show cause, payment in full or by installments.
Status: in_force

On the filing of an application by a judgment creditor, execution on whose judgment has been returned either wholly or in part unsatisfied and unpaid, the clerk or a justice of the court rendering the judgment, or if the judgment is rendered in the superior court in a case in which the writ was returnable to a district court, then and in such case the clerk or justice of the district court to which the writ was returnable, if the papers in the case shall have been transmitted to the district court as hereinafter provided, shall issue a citation to the judgment debtor requiring the judgment debtor to contact the attorney for the judgment creditor or pro se judgment creditor within twenty-five (25) days of receipt of the citation to establish a payment agreement. If the debtor defendant fails to contact the attorney for the judgment creditor or pro se judgment creditor within twenty-five (25) days, the attorney for the judgment creditor or pro se judgment creditor may request that the district court clerks office mail a notice with a date and time of hearing to the defendant. Upon notice from the district court, the defendant shall appear at the time and place named therein to show cause why an examination into his or her circumstances should not be made and a decree be entered ordering him or her to pay the judgment in full or by installment, weekly, monthly, or otherwise.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-19-30 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-19 / Section 9-19-30
§ 9-19-30. Certain statements of fact or opinion admissible in evidence in civil actions for malpractice.
Status: in_force

Statements of facts or opinions on a subject of science or art contained in a published treatise, periodical, book, or pamphlet shall, insofar as the court shall find that the statements are relevant and that the writer of the statements is recognized in his or her profession or calling as an expert on the subject, be admissible in civil actions for malpractice, error, or mistake against physicians, surgeons, dentists, optometrists, hospitals, and sanitaria, as evidence tending to prove the facts or as opinion evidence; provided, however, that the party intending to offer as evidence any such statements shall, not less than thirty (30) days before the trial of the action, give the adverse party or his or her attorney notice of such intention, stating the name of the writer of the statements, the title of the treatise, periodical, book, or pamphlet in which they are contained, the date of publication of the treatise, periodical, book, or pamphlet, the name of the publisher of the treatise, periodical, book, or pamphlet, and wherever possible or practicable the page or pages of the treatise, periodical, book, or pamphlet on which the statements appear.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-22-11 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-22 / Section 9-22-11
§ 9-22-11. Costs to defendant on withdrawal or discontinuance.
Status: in_force

If the plaintiff in any case shall file his or her complaint as is provided by law and shall afterward withdraw or discontinue his or her suit after pleadings filed by the defendant, the defendant in the case shall recover his or her costs.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-31-5 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-31 / Section 9-31-5
§ 9-31-5. Claim appropriations.
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter, the general assembly may make such appropriations as it shall deem proper in payment of or settlement of claims against the state; provided, however, that there is hereby appropriated out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated a sum sufficient to pay claims against the state settled pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, and the state controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of that sum.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-50 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-1 / Section 9-1-50
§ 9-1-50. Settled claims not paid within thirty (30) days.
Status: in_force

(a) Whenever any claim is settled, the insurance company, adjusting company, or any other person, firm, or corporation responsible for paying the settlement shall make payment within thirty (30) days from the date the claimant or the claimants attorney sends the release. The signed release may be transmitted to the party responsible for paying the settlement or their attorney in electronic format. Failure to make payment within thirty (30) days shall raise a presumption that failure to do so was a willful and wanton disregard for the rights of the claimant. In addition to all other remedies, the payor shall be liable to the claimant in a separate cause of action for punitive damages and interest which shall be computed at the rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum from the date the cause of action giving rise to the settlement occurred until the judgment on the claim brought pursuant to this section is entered.

(b) Any claim brought under the provisions of this section shall be given a priority on the trial calendar.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-26-4 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-26 / Section 9-26-4
§ 9-26-4. Property exempt from attachment.
Status: in_force

The following goods and property shall be exempt from attachment on any warrant of distress or on any other writ, original, mesne, or judicial:

(1) The necessary wearing apparel of a debtor or of the debtors family, if the debtor has a family.

(2) The working tools of a debtor necessary in the debtors usual occupation, not exceeding in value the sum of two thousand dollars ($2,000), and the professional library of any professional person in actual practice.

(3) The household furniture, clothing, and family stores of a debtor, including beds and bedding, not exceeding in value the sum of nine thousand six hundred dollars ($9,600).

(4) The bibles, school books, and other books in use in the family, not exceeding in value the sum of three hundred dollars ($300).

(5) The debtors interest in one lot or right of burial, as the case may be, in any cemetery.

(6) Wages due or accruing to any sailor.

(7) Debts secured by bills of exchange or negotiable promissory notes.

(8)(i) The entire salary or wages of any debtor due or payable from any charitable corporation, or from any person or corporation engaged in the disbursement or administration of any public charitable fund or money, whenever the salaries or wages are to be paid or supplied, directly or indirectly, from any fund or money appropriated or contributed for the relief of the poor or in aid of unemployment, and the debtor is the object of the relief or aid.

(ii) The entire wages or salary of any debtor due or payable from any employer, where the debtor has been the object of relief from any state, federal, or municipal corporation or agency for a period of one year from and after the time when the debtor ceases to be the object of such relief.

(iii) The salary or wages due or payable to any other debtor, not exceeding the sum of fifty dollars ($50.00).

(9) The salary and wages of the wife and the minor children of any debtor.

(10) Such other property, real, personal, or mixed, in possession or actions as is or shall be exempted from attachment and execution, either permanently or temporarily, by general or special acts, charters of incorporation, or by the policy of the law.

(11) An individual retirement account or individual retirement annuity as defined in the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. §§ 408 and 408A, and the payments or distributions from such an account or annuity, except that this exemption does not apply to any of the following:

(i) An order of a court pursuant to a judgment of divorce or separate maintenance.

(ii) An order of a court concerning child support.

(iii) Contributions to an individual retirement account, or premiums on an individual retirement annuity, including the earnings or benefits from those contributions or premiums that constitute an excess contribution within the meaning of Section 4973 of the Internal Revenue Code, [26 U.S.C. § 4973].

(12) The right or interest of a person in an annuity, pension, profit sharing, or other retirement plan protected by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, Public Law 93-406, 29 U.S.C. § 1001 et seq. This exemption shall also apply to the operation of the Federal Bankruptcy Code, as permitted by 11 U.S.C. § 522(d)(10)(E). This exemption shall not apply to the right or interest of a person in an annuity, pension, profit sharing, or other retirement plan to the extent that that right or interest is subject to any of the following:

(i) An order of the court pursuant to a judgment of divorce or separate maintenance.

(ii) An order of a court concerning child support.

This exemption shall not apply to contributions to, and the earnings of, any of the retirement plans enumerated in this subdivision that are not qualified retirement plans as defined by the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. § 401.

(13) Any and all motor vehicles owned by the debtor not to exceed an aggregate total of twelve thousand dollars ($12,000).

(14) Any and all jewelry owned by the debtor not to exceed an aggregate total of two thousand dollars ($2,000).

(15) An account balance, right, or interest of a person in a qualified tuition program of any state authorized under 26 U.S.C. § 529, including, but not limited to, a prepaid tuition program or a tuition savings program as defined in § 16-57-3(10) and (16), respectively. This exemption shall not apply to a balance, right, or interest to the extent that the balance, right, or interest is subject to any of the following:

(i) An order of a court pursuant to a judgment of divorce or separate maintenance;

(ii) An order of a court concerning child support.

(16) In addition to the exemptions herein, a debtor in bankruptcy may exempt an additional six thousand five hundred dollars ($6,500) in any assets.

(17) The real property of any person having debts secured by casino-issued lines of credit, also known as casino markers, that are issued to casino patrons by the casino credit department or other department or agency of the casino.

(18) Savings or other deposits held in a banking or financial institution not exceeding the sum of five hundred dollars ($500).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-5-5 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-5 / Section 9-5-5
§ 9-5-5. Form of writs from supreme and superior courts.
Status: in_force

All writs issuing from the supreme or superior court shall be in such form as the court shall prescribe, except if express provision is made by statute.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-37 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-1 / Section 9-1-37
§ 9-1-37. Enumeration of periods of appeal.
Status: in_force

The following compilation of periods of appeal for criminal and civil actions is set forth as an aid to the public, and is not intended to replace the specific statutes referred to herein. The omission of any statute from this list shall in no way affect the validity of the omitted statute.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-26-6 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-26 / Section 9-26-6
§ 9-26-6. Setoff of executions.
Status: in_force

If any officer shall, at the same time, have two or more executions delivered to him or her to serve, in which the parties shall be reversed, and shall sue and be sued in the same right and capacity, he or she shall set off the debts or damages in the actions and levy and collect the balance only that shall remain due thereon, with the costs on all the executions.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-25-21 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-25 / Section 9-25-21
§ 9-25-21. Return of district court executions.
Status: in_force

Every execution issued by any district court shall, unless otherwise specially provided therein, be returnable one year after the date thereof, and be returned to the district court which issued it.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-25-7 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-25 / Section 9-25-7
§ 9-25-7. Form of superior court writ of execution.
Status: in_force

A writ of execution issued by the superior court shall be substantially in the following form:
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-17-6 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-17 / Section 9-17-6
§ 9-17-6. Tender of fees to certain witnesses not required.
Status: in_force

A witness summoned in behalf of the state or, in a criminal proceeding, in behalf of a defendant who the court finds is financially unable to pay witness fees shall have no right to have his or her fees paid or tendered to him or her before he or she shall be bound to obey the summons.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-33-1 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-33 / Section 9-33-1
§ 9-33-1. Findings.
Status: in_force

The legislature finds and declares that full participation by persons and organizations and robust discussion of issues of public concern before the legislative, judicial, and administrative bodies and in other public fora are essential to the democratic process, that there has been a disturbing increase in lawsuits brought primarily to chill the valid exercise of the constitutional rights of freedom of speech and petition for the redress of grievances; that such litigation is disfavored and should be resolved quickly with minimum cost to citizens who have participated in matters of public concern.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-35-9 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-35 / Section 9-35-9
§ 9-35-9. Relationship to uniform foreign-country money judgments recognition act.
Status: in_force

(a) This chapter supplements chapter 34 of title 9 and that chapter, other than § 9-34-6, applies to a registration under this chapter.

(b) A person may seek recognition of a Canadian judgment described in § 9-35-3 either:

(1) By registration under this chapter; or

(2) Under § 9-34-6.

(c) Subject to subsection (d) of this section, a person may not seek recognition in this state of the same judgment or part of a judgment described in § 9-35-3(b) or (c) with regard to the same person under both this chapter and § 9-34-6.

(d) If the court grants a petition to vacate a registration solely on a ground under § 9-35-7(b)(2), the person seeking registration may:

(1) If the defect in the registration can be cured, file a new registration under this chapter; or

(2) Seek recognition of the judgment under § 9-34-6.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-18-2 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-18 / Section 9-18-2
§ 9-18-2. Notice to adverse party.
Status: in_force

Previous to the taking of any deposition within this state, the official authorized to take the deposition shall, in all cases, cause the adverse party or his or her attorney of record to be notified in writing of the time and place appointed for taking the depositions, so that he or she may attend and put interrogatories to the deponent if he or she think fit; provided, that if the person to be notified cannot be found and his or her residence is not known and he or she has no attorney of record, the moving party or his or her attorney may make affidavit of such facts before any justice of the superior court at any time, and thereupon the justice shall prescribe the method in which notice shall be given to the person.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-9-27 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-9 / Section 9-9-27
§ 9-9-27. Retention of jury lists.
Status: in_force

Lists and records required to be filed and/or preserved in the office of the jury commissioner by the provisions of this chapter may be destroyed upon order of the presiding justice of the superior court when he or she determines their retention is no longer required.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-30-13 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-30 / Section 9-30-13
§ 9-30-13. Person defined.
Status: in_force

The word person, wherever used in this chapter, shall be construed to mean any person, partnership, joint stock company, unincorporated association, or society, or municipal or other corporation of any character whatsoever.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-17-24 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-17 / Section 9-17-24
§ 9-17-24. Privileged communications to and information obtained by health care providers.
Status: in_force

In every legal action, both civil and criminal, no health care provider shall be competent to testify concerning any information obtained about a patient, nor shall he or she be required to produce any documentary evidence obtained about a patient, in the course of the customary professional health care relationship, without the consent of the patient, his or her legal guardian, or, if the patient is deceased, his or her next-of-kin, executor, or administrator. No health care provider shall be allowed in giving testimony to disclose any confidential communication or health care information, properly entrusted to him or her in his or her professional capacity and within the customary health care relationship, and necessary and proper to enable him or her to discharge medical duties in the usual course of practice, without the consent of the patient, his or her legal guardian, or, if the patient is deceased, his or her next-of-kin, executor, or administrator. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a health care provider may be required to testify or produce documentary evidence regarding the medical condition of a patient:

(1) When a patient raises his or her own medical condition in a legal action;

(2) When a court determines that disclosure of health care information about a person is necessary to a determination of the perceptual capacity of that person as a witness in a legal proceeding and that information is unavailable from any source other than a health care provider;

(3) When a court orders or the parties to a legal action agree to a medical evaluation of a party or witness by a health care provider in order to facilitate the resolution of the legal action;

(4) When the question of the competence of a decedent is at issue before the court; or

(5) When consent is not required pursuant to chapter 37.3 of title 5; provided, however, that any such information shall not be admissible in any proceeding against the patient to whom the information pertains.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-29-13 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-29 / Section 9-29-13
§ 9-29-13. Naturalization fees.
Status: in_force

No fee shall be required in any court upon any declaration or petition under the naturalization laws of the United States, or for any process or procedure thereunder, except as hereinafter provided. The clerks fee in such cases, including certificate, shall be five dollars ($5.00), which shall be deposited into the general fund and credited to the supreme court account.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-12-10.1 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-12 / Section 9-12-10.1
§ 9-12-10.1. Claim of appeal to superior court in landlord tenant actions.
Status: in_force

In any civil action pursuant to chapter 18 of title 34, in the district court or other appropriate court, any party may cause the case to be removed for trial on all questions of law and fact to the superior court for the county in which division the suit is pending, by claiming an appeal from the judgment of the district or other appropriate court, in writing, filed with the clerk of the division within five (5) days after the judgment is entered; provided, that the party claiming the appeal at the time of claiming the appeal, shall pay to the clerk all costs, including an attorneys fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) for the party or parties adversely interested in the judgment, to be paid by the clerk to the attorney for the adverse party; provided, further, that costs shall not be taxed, exclusive of the attorneys fee, at a sum less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00), in addition to a technology surcharge assessed in accordance with § 8-15-11.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-29-20 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-29 / Section 9-29-20
§ 9-29-20. Supreme court fees.
Status: in_force

(a) The supreme court, by a majority of its members, shall have the power to prescribe by rule a fee of not more than one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) for docketing a civil appeal or docketing any other proceeding brought to review a civil matter and to prescribe a waiver of the fee as to a person who is unable to pay the fee.

(b) The court may apply a technology or other surcharge for docketing a civil appeal or docketing any other proceeding brought before the court in an amount not to exceed eighty-five dollars ($85.00).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-5-7 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-5 / Section 9-5-7
§ 9-5-7. Direction of writs for arrest or execution against the body.
Status: in_force

All writs whatsoever commanding the arrest of a defendant, or executions running against the body of a defendant, shall be directed for service to the division of sheriffs or to a certified constable authorized pursuant to § 9-5-10.1, or if the writ is to be served in the town of New Shoreham, it may be directed to the town sergeant of the town, subject to the provisions of § 9-5-8, and no writ of arrest shall be served by any other officer.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-5-10.4 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-5 / Section 9-5-10.4
§ 9-5-10.4. Renewal of certification of certified constables.
Status: in_force

A certified constable shall be required to renew his or her certification every two (2) years. Any certified constable failing to renew his or her certification shall no longer be approved to serve as a certified constable. At the time of renewal, the certified constable shall submit a renewal application fee of four hundred dollars ($400) and provide evidence that he or she has completed ten (10) hours of approved continuing education in the areas of service of process within the prior twenty-four-month (24) period, and such courses shall be approved by the Independent Constables Association, Inc. and/or the Rhode Island Constables, Inc., along with proof of sufficient bond, a current criminal background check, and current contact information. Failure to provide any of these items shall be grounds to deny renewal of the certification.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-17-17 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-17 / Section 9-17-17
§ 9-17-17. Cross-examination not a waiver of exception.
Status: in_force

Where the testimony of a witness upon any subject, at any trial or hearing, is admitted by the court, and exception thereto is taken, the cross-examination of the witness upon the subject, by the party excepting thereto, shall not be considered a waiver of the exception.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-26-10 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-26 / Section 9-26-10
§ 9-26-10. Redemption of mortgaged property by plaintiff in execution.
Status: in_force

In case of such levy, the plaintiff in execution may redeem the mortgaged property in the same manner as the mortgagor might have done, and upon the redemption shall have the same lien on the property for the amount paid by him or her, with interest, as the mortgagee had.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-24-9 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-24 / Section 9-24-9
§ 9-24-9. Summons of additional parties on appeal or certification.
Status: in_force

The supreme court, in any cause pending before it on appeal or certification, may order any person having an interest in the subject matter, not a party to the cause, to be summoned in and made a party thereto.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-29-7 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-29 / Section 9-29-7
§ 9-29-7. Witness fees.
Status: in_force

(a) The fees of witnesses shall be:

(b) In addition to the fees above provided, witnesses summoned and testifying as experts in behalf of the state, or any person acting as an interpreter, before the supreme, superior, or district court, may be allowed and paid such sum as such court may deem just and reasonable.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-10-9 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-10 / Section 9-10-9
§ 9-10-9. Grounds for excuse from service.
Status: in_force

A justice of the superior court or the family court, or the jury commissioner, may excuse a person from jury duty or may continue the date of the service upon a showing of mental or physical disability, illness, or the serious illness of some member of his or her immediate family, economic or domestic hardship, or other good cause; provided, that he or she may be required to serve his or her term or the remainder thereof, as the case may be, on an emergency panel of jurors, if such a panel is deemed necessary by the jury commissioner or the presiding justice of the superior or family court. The discretion to so excuse may be exercised by the appropriate party at any time during the selection or assignment of jurors.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-30-10 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-30 / Section 9-30-10
§ 9-30-10. Costs.
Status: in_force

In any proceeding under this chapter, the court may make such award of costs as may seem equitable and just.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-32-6 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-32 / Section 9-32-6
§ 9-32-6. Optional procedure.
Status: in_force

The right of a judgment creditor to bring an action to enforce his or her judgment instead of proceeding under this chapter remains unimpaired.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-29-16 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-29 / Section 9-29-16
§ 9-29-16. Compensation of officers selected by attorney general.
Status: in_force

The general assembly shall annually appropriate such sum as it may deem necessary to compensate the officers who shall be selected by the attorney general, who shall keep the names and make the disbursements and returns as provided by law.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-4-3 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-4 / Section 9-4-3
§ 9-4-3. Venue based on residence of parties.
Status: in_force

All other actions and suits, if brought in the superior court, shall be brought in the court for the county, or if brought in the district court, shall be brought in the division in which some one of the plaintiffs or defendants shall dwell, or in the superior court for the county or in the district court for the division in which the defendant or some one of the defendants shall be found; and if no one of the plaintiffs or defendants shall dwell in the state, the action, if brought in the superior court, may be brought in the court for any county, or if in a district court, in any division.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-5-19 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-5 / Section 9-5-19
§ 9-5-19. Adaptation of forms not prescribed.
Status: in_force

Every court shall adapt the form of process necessary to be issued thereby, whenever no form is prescribed, so as to conform to law and, as far as the nature of the case will admit, to the forms prescribed in this chapter and in applicable procedural rules.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-19-44 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-19 / Section 9-19-44
§ 9-19-44. Mediator confidentiality in mediation proceedings.
Status: in_force

(a) All memoranda and other work product, including files, reports, interviews, case summaries, and notes, prepared by a mediator shall be confidential and not subject to disclosure in any subsequent judicial or administrative proceeding involving any of the parties to any mediation in which the materials are generated; nor shall a mediator be compelled to disclose in any subsequent judicial or administrative proceeding any communication made to him or her in the course of, or relating to the subject matter of, any mediation by a participant in the mediation process. For the purposes of this section, mediation shall mean a process in which an impartial third party who is a qualified mediator, who lacks authority to impose a solution, helps participants reach their own agreement for resolving a dispute, whether or not a judicial action has been filed; and a mediator shall mean an impartial person who enters into a written agreement with the parties to assist them in resolving their dispute and who has completed at least thirty (30) hours of training in mediation, or has two (2) years of professional experience as a mediator, or has been appointed to mediate by a judicial or governmental body.

(b) This section shall not be applicable to any and all collective bargaining mediation, including but not limited to collective bargaining mediation conducted pursuant to chapters 9.1  9.5 and 10 of title 28 and chapter 11 of title 36.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-22-3 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-22 / Section 9-22-3
§ 9-22-3. Dismissal for failure to give surety.
Status: in_force

Upon the neglect of the plaintiff to comply with an order of the court requiring a surety or another surety, as provided in § 9-22-1, his or her action or suit may be dismissed with costs for the defendant.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-22-6 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-22 / Section 9-22-6
§ 9-22-6. Apportionment of costs in action for partition.
Status: in_force

In all actions of partition, the court before which the action may be pending may adjudge and determine, as to it shall appear equitable and just, relative to the apportionment of costs among the parties, plaintiff and defendant, by dividing the costs equally or subjecting either party to the payment of the whole or any part thereof.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-3-14 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-3 / Section 9-3-14
§ 9-3-14. Liability where lien is not honored.
Status: in_force

Any insurance carrier making any payment to the owner, his or her representative, or assignee as compensation for the particular loss after the mailing of the notice without paying to the lessor the amount of his or her lien or so much thereof as can be satisfied out of the money due under any final judgment or compromise or settlement agreement after paying the amount of any prior liens, shall, for a period of one year from the date of payment to the owner, his or her representative, or assignee, be and remain liable to the lessor for the amount which the lessor was entitled to receive; and any such lessor may, within such period, enforce his or her lien by a civil action against the insurance carrier making the payment.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-5-10.2 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-5 / Section 9-5-10.2
§ 9-5-10.2. Posting of bond by certified constables.
Status: in_force

Upon filing of the application and training required by § 9-5-10.1, an applicant shall submit an application fee in the amount of four hundred dollars ($400) and deposit a bond with sufficient sureties in the sum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for the faithful performance of the duties of his or her office conditioned to protect members of the public and persons contracting with the certified constable against any damage arising from any actionable misconduct on the part of the applicant while serving as a certified constable. The terms of the bond shall include notification by the surety issuing the bond to the department if the bond is revoked, cancelled, or otherwise not in effect. Failure to keep the bond in effect shall be grounds for revocation of the certification to act as a constable.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-26-20 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-26 / Section 9-26-20
§ 9-26-20. Time of attachment shown in deed.
Status: in_force

Whenever attachment shall have been made by original writ or writ of mesne process, the officer shall insert the time thereof and vary his or her deed accordingly.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-21-5 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-21 / Section 9-21-5
§ 9-21-5. Supreme court order for new trial where trial was not full, fair, and impartial.
Status: in_force

A party or garnishee in any action or proceeding in the superior court in which a trial has been had which was not full, fair, and impartial may, at any time within one year after judgment, petition the supreme court for a new trial; and the supreme court may, with or without terms, order a new trial in the superior court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-15-7 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-15 / Section 9-15-7
§ 9-15-7. Discharge or recommission of rule.
Status: in_force

The court may, at any time in its discretion, on motion of either party, discharge a rule or recommit a rule and report to the same referees, or, with consent of the parties, to other referees; but a rule shall remain in full force until so discharged, and shall be continued without continuance fees, until report shall be made thereon.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-2-5 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-2 / Section 9-2-5
§ 9-2-5. Proceedings unimpaired by changes in parties.
Status: in_force

No change of parties made by order of the court shall impair any previous attachment of the estate or arrest of the body of any defendant remaining in the action, nor impair any bond or bail given by any party remaining, either as against himself or herself or his or her sureties. And in all the above cases, the writ shall be amended accordingly.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-17-2 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-17 / Section 9-17-2
§ 9-17-2. Subpoenas by court clerks and district court judges.
Status: in_force

Clerks of court and judges of the district court may issue subpoenas to witnesses in all cases pending in their own or any other court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-28.1 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-1 / Section 9-1-28.1
§ 9-1-28.1. Right to privacy  Action for deprivation of right.
Status: in_force

(a) Right to privacy created. It is the policy of this state that every person in this state shall have a right to privacy which shall be defined to include any of the following rights individually:

(1) The right to be secure from unreasonable intrusion upon ones physical solitude or seclusion;

(i) In order to recover for violation of this right, it must be established that:

(A) It was an invasion of something that is entitled to be private or would be expected to be private;

(B) The invasion was or is offensive or objectionable to a reasonable man; although,

(ii) The person who discloses the information need not benefit from the disclosure.

(2) The right to be secure from an appropriation of ones name or likeness;

(i) In order to recover for violation of this right, it must be established that:

(A) The act was done without permission of the claimant;

(B) The act is of a benefit to someone other than the claimant;

(ii) It need not be established that there was any publication.

(3) The right to be secure from unreasonable publicity given to ones private life;

(i) In order to recover for violation of this right, it must be established that:

(A) There has been some publication of a private fact;

(B) The fact which has been made public must be one which would be offensive or objectionable to a reasonable man of ordinary sensibilities;

(ii) The fact which has been disclosed need not be of any benefit to the discloser of the fact.

(4) The right to be secure from publicity that reasonably places another in a false light before the public;

(i) In order to recover for violation of this right, it must be established that:

(A) There has been some publication of a false or fictitious fact which implies an association which does not exist;

(B) The association which has been published or implied would be objectionable to the ordinary reasonable man under the circumstances;

(ii) The fact which was disclosed need not be of any benefit to the discloser.

(b) Right of action. Every person who subjects or causes to be subjected any citizen of this state or other person within the jurisdiction thereof to a deprivation and/or violation of his or her right to privacy shall be liable to the party injured in an action at law, suit in equity, or any other appropriate proceedings for redress in either the superior court or district court of this state. The court having jurisdiction of an action brought pursuant to this section may award reasonable attorneys fees and court costs to the prevailing party.

(c) Right of access. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit or abridge any existing right of access at law or in equity of any party to the records kept by any agency of state or municipal government.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-10-21 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-10 / Section 9-10-21
§ 9-10-21. Exemption of juror from process.
Status: in_force

The person and estate of every juror attending any court in this state shall be exempt from all process in any civil action during the period of his or her attendance on the court and for three (3) days next before the time he or she shall be required to appear and for the three (3) days next after he or she shall be discharged.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-19-7 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-19 / Section 9-19-7
§ 9-19-7. Law of foreign countries.
Status: in_force

The law of a jurisdiction other than those referred to in § 9-19-3 shall be an issue for the court, but shall not be subject to the foregoing provisions concerning judicial notice.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-28-6 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-28 / Section 9-28-6
§ 9-28-6. Enforcement of decree.
Status: in_force

If the debtor at any time fails to comply with the decree, the court entering the decree may cause him or her to be cited to show cause for the noncompliance; and unless the debtor shows good cause therefor, the court may order that unless he or she complies with the decree, or with such modification thereof as the court may then make, within the time stated in the order, the failure shall be a contempt of court; and if at the expiration of the time fixed by the court for compliance with the new decree the debtor still fails or refuses to comply therewith, the court may enforce its decree by proceedings for contempt. And if a defendant is in the custody of or committed to jail by a member of the division of sheriffs, or imprisoned, either upon execution or by order of the court in contempt proceedings, it shall not operate in any degree as a payment or satisfaction of the judgment upon which the execution is issued, or concerning which the order is entered, nor shall the custody, commitment to jail, or imprisonment be or constitute any bar, delay, or hindrance to any legal or equitable proceedings to discover or reach any assets, legal or equitable, of the defendant.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-24-7 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-24 / Section 9-24-7
§ 9-24-7. Appeals from interlocutory orders and judgments.
Status: in_force

Whenever, upon a hearing in the superior court, an injunction shall be granted or continued, or a receiver appointed, or a sale of real or personal property ordered, by an interlocutory order or judgment, or a new trial is ordered or denied after a trial by jury, an appeal may be taken from such order or judgment to the supreme court in like manner as from a final judgment, and the appeal shall take precedence in the supreme court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-13-1 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-13 / Section 9-13-1
§ 9-13-1. Serving notice on adverse partys attorney.
Status: in_force

Whenever it is provided that notice in writing shall be given to any party represented by an attorney, the service shall be made upon the attorney unless service upon the party himself or herself is ordered by the court. Service upon the attorney or upon a party shall be made by delivering a copy to him or her or by mailing it to him or her at his or her last known address or, if no address is known, by leaving it with the clerk of the court. Delivery of a copy within this section means: handing it to the person to be served; or leaving it at his or her office with his or her clerk or other person in charge thereof; or, if there is no one in charge, leaving it in a conspicuous place therein; or if the office is closed or the person to be served has no office, leaving it at his or her dwelling house or usual place of abode with some person of suitable age and discretion then residing therein. Service by mail is complete upon mailing.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-10-11 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-10 / Section 9-10-11
§ 9-10-11. Fines levied against jurors.
Status: in_force

All fines incurred by jurors and persons returned or notified as jurors under this chapter shall be levied and collected to the use of the state by warrant of distress from the court, directed to the sheriff or his or her deputy of the county in which the person dwells or his or her estate is to be found.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-17-3 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-17 / Section 9-17-3
§ 9-17-3. Subpoenas issued by other officials.
Status: in_force

Auditors, referees, masters in chancery, and commissioners may issue subpoenas to witnesses in all cases and matters pending before them, respectively; and justices of the peace and notaries public may issue subpoenas to witnesses in any case, civil or criminal, before any court, and in any matter before any body or person authorized by law to summon witnesses.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-22-20 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-22 / Section 9-22-20
§ 9-22-20. Costs on appeal.
Status: in_force

In all appeals, the court appealed to, on rendering judgment therein, may award costs for or against the appellant or appellee, or for neither of them, or may apportion the costs among the parties appellant and appellee, according to the circumstances of the case, and as shall appear equitable.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-30-5 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-30 / Section 9-30-5
§ 9-30-5. General powers not limited by enumerations of special powers.
Status: in_force

The enumerations in §§ 9-30-2, 9-30-3, and 9-30-4 do not limit or restrict the exercise of the general powers conferred in § 9-30-1, in any proceeding where declaratory relief is sought, in which a judgment or decree will terminate the controversy or remove an uncertainty.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-19-35 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-19 / Section 9-19-35
§ 9-19-35. Failure to bill inadmissible in medical malpractice cases.
Status: in_force

(a) For the purposes of this section, health care provider means any physician as defined in § 5-37-1, hospital, clinic, health maintenance organization, or professional service corporation providing health care services and organized under chapter 5.1 of title 7, or any officer, employee, or agent thereof acting in the course and scope of his employment.

(b) The failure of a health care provider to bill a patient for services rendered shall not be construed as an admission of liability and shall not be admissible in evidence as to liability in any hearing or trial of an action of tort or breach of contract for malpractice, error, or mistake against a health care provider.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-2-18.1 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-2 / Section 9-2-18.1
§ 9-2-18.1. Acceleration of action for enforcement of mechanics lien.
Status: in_force

Upon motion of any party in an action to enforce a mechanics lien, or in an action on a bond or cash escrow provided pursuant to § 34-28-17, the court may grant that the hearing on the petition shall be given priority on the calendar.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-2-9 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-2 / Section 9-2-9
§ 9-2-9. Restricted liability on instrument signed as fiduciary.
Status: in_force

Where an instrument contains, or a person adds to his or her signature, words indicating that he or she contracts or signs in his or her representative capacity as trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, or conservator, he or she shall not be personally liable on the instrument, if he or she was duly authorized to make the instrument in his or her representative capacity; should an action on the instrument be brought against the trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, or conservator in his or her representative capacity, or against his or her successor, an execution on any judgment obtained against him or her shall run only against the goods, chattels, and real estate of the estate in the hands and possession of the trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, or conservator, or his or her successor, and not against his or her own property and estate; provided, that upon a suggestion of waste as provided in § 33-9-28, a civil action may be brought against him or her personally in the manner provided in § 33-9-28, and the procedure shall be in conformity with § 33-9-28 and applicable procedural rules.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-24-25 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-24 / Section 9-24-25
§ 9-24-25. Certification to supreme court on agreed statement of facts.
Status: in_force

Whenever any civil action, legal or equitable in character, is pending in a district court or in a superior court, and the parties shall file in the clerks office an agreed statement of facts in the action, the court shall certify the action to the supreme court to be there heard and determined. After having decided the action, the supreme court shall send back the papers therein, with its decision certified thereon, to the court from which the action was certified, which shall enter final judgment upon the decision.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-22-19 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-22 / Section 9-22-19
§ 9-22-19. Expense of printing record.
Status: in_force

The expense of printing the record in any case where the parties agree to have the record printed, or where the court orders the printing, shall be taxed as other costs in the case.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-30-9 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-30 / Section 9-30-9
§ 9-30-9. Jury trial.
Status: in_force

When a proceeding under this chapter involves the determination of an issue of fact, that issue shall be tried and determined in the same manner as issues of fact are tried and determined in other civil actions, and the right of trial by jury shall not be abridged.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-24-1 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-24 / Section 9-24-1
§ 9-24-1. Filing of appeal.
Status: in_force

Any party aggrieved by a final judgment, decree, or order of the superior court may, within the time prescribed by applicable procedural rules, appeal to the supreme court. Subject to the provisions of applicable procedural rules, the party appealing shall file a claim of appeal in the office of the clerk of the court from which the appeal is taken, and shall deposit with the clerk an amount not exceeding fifty dollars ($50.00) as prescribed by the rules and regulations of the supreme court, in addition to a technology surcharge assessed in accordance with § 8-15-11.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-12-13 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-12 / Section 9-12-13
§ 9-12-13. Costs in superior court.
Status: in_force

Where an appeal is claimed by the plaintiff under the provisions of § 9-12-10, and the judgment in the superior court, if for the plaintiff, does not exceed the amount awarded him or her in the district court, he or she shall recover no costs, and shall also pay the defendants costs, and if on the plaintiffs claim of appeal the judgment, as in the district court, shall be for the defendant, the defendant shall be entitled to double costs; and if the defendant claims an appeal and the judgment is for the plaintiff for the same or a greater amount than that awarded by the district court, the defendant shall be taxed double costs. In cases involving multiple plaintiffs or multiple defendants, costs, including double costs, shall be taxed in the discretion of the court, and the costs may be taxed against a coparty as well as against the opposing party or parties.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-29-4 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-29 / Section 9-29-4
§ 9-29-4. Costs allowed parties and attorneys in superior court.
Status: in_force

The following fees shall be taxed and allowed in bills of costs to attorneys and parties in the superior court in civil cases:
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-23 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-1 / Section 9-1-23
§ 9-1-23. Effect of joinder of counts on limitation.
Status: in_force

Whenever counts are joined in the same complaint, the limitations of time for commencing suit applicable to the cause of action set out in any count shall be the same as if the action was brought on the count only, and the limitation may be pleaded to that count instead of to the entire action.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-33 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-1 / Section 9-1-33
§ 9-1-33. Insurers bad faith refusal to pay a claim made under any insurance policy.
Status: in_force

(a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, an insured under any insurance policy as set out in the general laws or otherwise may bring an action against the insurer issuing the policy when it is alleged the insurer wrongfully and in bad faith refused to pay or settle a claim made pursuant to the provisions of the policy, or otherwise wrongfully and in bad faith refused to timely perform its obligations under the contract of insurance. In any action brought pursuant to this section, an insured may also make claim for compensatory damages, punitive damages, and reasonable attorney fees. In all cases in which there has been no trial in the superior court on or before May 20, 1981, the question of whether or not an insurer has acted in bad faith in refusing to settle a claim shall be a question to be determined by the trier of fact.

(b) The provisions of this section shall apply to all actions against insurers which have been commenced and are pending in any state or federal court on May 20, 1981.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-26-34 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-26 / Section 9-26-34
§ 9-26-34. Attachment of state and municipal employees wages.
Status: in_force

The wages or salaries of any employee of the state or of any city, town, or other municipal or quasi-governmental corporation may be levied on by attachment of any warrant of distress or any other writ or execution, original, mesne, or judicial.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-22-12 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-22 / Section 9-22-12
§ 9-22-12. Discharge or discontinuance as to codefendant.
Status: in_force

Whenever several persons shall be made defendants in any action and the action shall be discontinued as to any one or more of the defendants, or if, upon the trial thereof, any one or more of them shall be acquitted by verdict or upon motion, every defendant so discharged or acquitted shall have and recover his or her costs.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-24-12 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-24 / Section 9-24-12
§ 9-24-12. Remand after decision on appeal  Further proceedings.
Status: in_force

Upon reversal or modification of the decree or judgment appealed from, the supreme court may remand the cause to the superior court with such directions as are necessary and proper, or may take such further proceedings in the cause as justice and the speedy determination of the cause may require, and after the proceedings shall remand the cause. In any such case, the supreme court, if practicable, shall determine the form of the final decree or judgment before remanding the cause to the superior court. In case the supreme court shall affirm the decree or judgment appealed from, it shall certify its affirmation and remand the cause to the superior court for further proceedings. In every case, the supreme court, upon remanding a cause to the superior court, shall transmit all the papers in the cause to the superior court, and the final decree or judgment shall be entered in the superior court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-14.2 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-1 / Section 9-1-14.2
§ 9-1-14.2. Limitation of Agent Orange or phenoxy herbicides actions.
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, an action to recover damages for personal injury caused by contact with or exposure to phenoxy herbicides while serving as a member of the armed forces of the United States in Indo-China from January 1, 1962, through March 29, 1973, may be commenced within three (3) years from the date of the discovery of the injury, or within three (3) years from the date when through the exercise of reasonable diligence the cause of the injury should have been discovered, whichever is later.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-3-8 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-3 / Section 9-3-8
§ 9-3-8. Hospital lien docket.
Status: in_force

Every city or town clerk shall, at the expense of the city or town, provide a suitable well bound book to be called the hospital lien docket in which, upon the filing of any lien claim under the provisions of §§ 9-3-4  9-3-7, he or she shall enter the name of the injured person, the name of the person, firm, or corporation alleged to be liable for the injuries, the name of an insurance carrier where it is known at the time of filing of the notice, the date of the accident, and the name of the hospital or other institution making the claim, and the clerk shall index the lien in the name of the injured person and the hospital and in the name of the insurance carrier where the name of the carrier is known at the time of filing the notice.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-33-3 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-33 / Section 9-33-3
§ 9-33-3. Intervention.
Status: in_force

Any governmental agency or subdivision to which the partys petition or free speech were directed or the attorney general may intervene to defend or otherwise support the party claiming lawful exercise of its right of petition or of free speech under United States or Rhode Island constitution.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-2-16 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-2 / Section 9-2-16
§ 9-2-16. Joinder of husband and wife as plaintiffs.
Status: in_force

A husband and wife may join as parties plaintiffs in the same action to recover damages for negligence and shall be entitled to recover their respective damages in that action.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-25-14 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-25 / Section 9-25-14
§ 9-25-14. Marginal notations on execution.
Status: in_force

The clerk of any court or justice issuing an execution shall note on the margin or in the body thereof the time when the judgment recited in the execution was rendered, and if the execution was awarded against the defendant in an action brought against him or her upon any penal statute or in an action sounding in tort in which the title to real estate was not in dispute, the marginal notation shall so state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-52 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-1 / Section 9-1-52
§ 9-1-52. Cause of action for next lowest bidding qualified contractor.
Status: in_force

Whenever a contractor or subcontractor, having been awarded the contract as the lowest qualified bidder, violates the states prevailing wage, a cause of action shall be for the next lowest qualified bidder for any and all damages incurred as the result of not being awarded the contract.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-11-7 — RI Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9-11 / Section 9-11-7
§ 9-11-7. Trials without jury.
Status: in_force

In every action at law originally brought in the superior court or removed to the superior court on appeal from a district court, if neither party claims a jury trial in accordance with applicable procedural rules, then jury trial as of right shall be deemed to be waived in the case and trial shall be had in such form as the court shall determine in accordance with applicable procedural rules.