Title: Uniform District Court Rules

State: montana

Issuer: Montana Supreme Court

Document:

FILED
November 19 2007

AF 07-0110

EME, Cournot episeon {MONTANA

IN RE THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
10 THE MONTANA UNIFORM
DISTRICT COURT RULES

 

IN THE sUPh

  

ORDER

On June 19, 2003, this Court entered an order reconstituting the Uniform District
Court Rules Commission. Thereafter, the Commission submitted to the Court for its
‘consideration proposed revisions to those Rules.

‘Afler consideration of the proposed amendments the Court has determined that the
bench and bar of the State of Montana should be provided an opportunity to comment
thereon

IT IS THEREFORE ORDEI

 

'D that all members of the bench and bar of Montana
and any other interested persons are granted ninety days from the date of this order in which
‘to file with the Clerk of this Court appropriate comments and/or suggestions to the attached
Proposed Revisions to the Uniform District Court Rules.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Proposed Revisions to the Uniform District
Court Rules in their entirety shall be posted on the websites of the Montana State Law
Library and the State Bar of Montana. The State Bar of Montana is further requested to give
notice of this Order and of its website posting of the Proposed Revisions in the next available
issue of The Montana Lawyer.

ITIS FURTHER ORDERED that the Clerk of this Court shall provide to each District
‘Court Judge and each Clerk of the District Court a copy of this order with attached proposed
revisions with a request that each Clerk of the District Court make the order available for
Public review in the Office of the Clerk of the

DATED this \ay of November, 2007

wa W

 

trict Court.

  
PROPOSED REVISIONS TO THE,

UNIFORM DISTRICT COURT RULE!

 

Rule 1. Form of papers presented for filing.

(a) Papers defined. ‘The word “papers” as used in this rule includes all documents
and copies except exhibits and records on appeal from lower courts.

(b) Pagination, printing, ete. All papers shall be:

(1) typewritten, printed, or equivalent;

(2) clear and permanent;

(3) equally legible to printing:

(4) of type not smaller than pi

(3) on-standard-quality-opaque,—uinglaced-white_paper-814°-X-H4"in-size;-or
cotton fiber-content-sith @ minimum-SO%reeyoled-content, oF which-10%-shall-be post
‘eonsumer-Wwaste-$/"-X-H" ja-size—Afier January-41994, only on standard quality
‘opaque, unglazed, acid-free recycled paper, and be a minimum of 25% cotton fiber
content, minimum 50% recycled content, of which 10% shall be post-consumer waste,
846" X 11" in size.

(6) printed one side only; except copies of briefs may be printed on both si
‘The original brief shall be printed on one side.

7) lines unnumbered or numbered consecutively from the top:

(8) spaced one and one-half or double;

(9) page numbered consecutively at the bottom; and

(10) bound firmly atthe top,

Matters such as property descriptions or direct quotes may be single spaced.

Extrancous documents not in the above format and not readily conformable may
be filed in their original form and length.

(6) Format. The first page of all papers shall conform to the following

(1) Commencing at line 1 at the left margin, single spaced, shall be the name of
the attorney or party responsible for the pleadings, together with telephone number and
the complete mailing address for service of papers.

(2) Lines 1 through 7 of the right one-half of the page shall be left blank for the
use of the clerk.

3) On or below line 8, the ttle ofthe cour.

(@) Commencing at line 9 or below on the lef, the ttle ofthe case.

(5) On the tight and opposite the title of the case, the case number and
identification of the document being filed.

(6) Nonconforming papers may not be filed without leave of the court

 

 

 
 

     

  

 

 

 
(4) Changes, conformance of copies. Additions, deletions, or interlineations shall
be initialed by the clerk or judge at the time of filing. Al copies served shall conform to
the original as filed.

Rule 2, Motions.

(a) Upon filing a motion or within five days thereafter, the moving party shall file
‘abrief. The brief may be accompanied by appropriate supporting documents. Within ten
days thereafter the adverse party shall file an answer brief which also may be
accompanied by appropriate supporting documents. Within ten days thereafter, movant
may file a reply brief or other appropriate responsive documents,

(©) Failure to file briefs. Failure to file briefS may subject the motion to summary
ruling, Failure to file a brief within five days by the moving party shall be deemed an
admission that the motion is without merit, Failure to file an answer brief by the adverse
‘party within ten days shall be deemed an admission that the motion is well taken. Reply
briefS by movant are optional, and failure to file will not subject a motion to summary
ruling.

(©) Oral argument, The court may order oral argument sua sponte or upon
application of a party

(4) When motion deemed submitted, Unless oral argument is ordered or unless
the time is enlarged by the court, the motion is deemed submitted at the expiration of any
of the applicable time limits set forth above without supporting briefs having been filed.

If oral argument is ordered, the motion will be deemed submitted at the close of
argument unless the court orders additional briefs, in which case the motion will be
deemed submitted as of the date designated as the time for filing the final brief.

(6) In the event of conflict, the Montana Rules of Civil Procedure shall control
‘Time computation shall be governed by Rule 6(a), M.R.

   

 

 

Rule 3. Timely motions and case disposition.

(@) Motions. Motions shall be deemed submitted in accordance with Rule 2(é),
Unif. Dist. Ct, R. Once a motion is submitted as being fully briefed, ifthe court sets a
hearing pursuant to Rule 2, Unif, Dist. Ct. R., the hearing must be set within 30 days, At
the outset of a motions hearing, the district court may indicate its tentative ruling. The
parties will then have an opportunity to argue their positions. If there is no hearing, the
motion is deemed submitted in accordance with Rule 2(4), Unif. Dist. Ct. R.

Rulings shall be made within 30 days of the motion being deemed submitted
unless, with good cause and notice to the partes, the district court enlarges the time for
ruling by 30 days, two times with rulings occurring within 90 days of the motion being at
issue.

 
(b) Complex motions. The district court may designate as “complex” motions
involving extraordinary questions of law, issues of first impression or complicated or
highly technical facts. Upon such designation, the 30-day enlargement provision set forth
above may be invoked by the district court four times, with rulings occurring within 150
days of a complex motion being deemed submitted.

Commission Comment:

4. This Rule i intended 10 promote resolution of al! nom-complex mation within 90 days of ther being at
lasue before the district cont, with the purpoes of advancing all ears to speedier dapostion (by Setlement oF
trial) and countering the exponse and delay that car when motions pend for extended peed of ine

2. Telephone o video conference hearings are encouraged forthe convenience ofthe district cours and the
ports

J. The Commission recognizes that in many routine discovery disputes brought before the district courts. @
Jl opinion length ruling may be wnnecessry and may contribute fo delay n ruling. The Commision encourages
‘he district cours to require comsel to prepare proposed orders with hardcopy and computer ls etached 10
fciuate disposition of motions

4 Im order 10 serve the underlying purpose ofthis Rule, the Commision recommends tha the clerks ofthe
dsrct courts of Montana report to the Supreme Cot administrator all non-complex motion that pend in excess
(90 days anal complex mations that pend i exces of 150 days.

Rule 34, Ex parte matters.

(a) Extensions of time to further plead, file briefs, continue a hearing on a motion
and other permissible ex parte matters, may be granted by order of the court upon written
application,

(b) Prior to the issuance of an ex parte order, the attorney seeking such order must
file a written certification with the court declaring that opposing counsel has been
contacted and given reasonable notice of:

(41) the time and place of the ex parte conference or meeting;

(B2) the substance of the order sought;

(€3) whether counsel opposes the motion.

(©) All requests for extension of time or continuance or other ex parte matters shall
bbe accompanied by an appropriate form or order, with sufficient copies for the clerk to
mail to adverse parties.

(4) Except as otherwise provided by these rules or statute, no document, including
briefs, proposed orders and proposed judgments, may be presented to the court at any
time unless its first filed with the court and served on all opposing counsel

 

 
Rule 45. of discovery.

(@) Depositions upon oral or written examinations, interrogatories and answers
thereto, requests for production of documents and responses thereto, requests for
admissions and responses thereto, shall not be routinely filed. When any motion is filed
‘making reference 10 discovery, the party filing the motion shall submit with the motion
relevant unfiled documents.

(b) The pre-trial order shall identify all those portions of depositions,
interrogatories, requests for admissions, and answers and responses thereto that the
Parties intend to introduce into evidence

 

Commission Comment

Although not specifialy prohibited by this ral, i ine with not ling discover it is also is not necessary
toile a natice of taking of depostion, notice of serving discovery. nace of serving responses to discovery. OF ay
other discover-reated notice

Rule $6, Pre-trial order and pre-trial conference.

(2) Pre-trial, Unless otherwise ordered by the court, a pre-trial conference shall be
held in all contested civil eases.

(b) Not later than five days prior to the pre-trial conference, plaintiff's counsel
shall convene a conference of all counsel for the purpose of preparing a pre-trial order.
The proposed pre-trial order shall be presented for signature at the pre-trial conference.
Inthe event of a dispute as to the contents of the order, such dispute shall be presented to
the judge for resolution atthe pre-trial conference.

(6 Pre-trial order, ‘The pre-trial order shall be substantially in the following form:

 

 

(TITLE OF COURT AND CAUSE)
Pursuant to Rule 16 of the Montana Rules of Civil Procedure, a pre-trial
conference was held in the above-entitled cause on the __day of. »1920_,at
__o'elock _.m.

 

represented the plaintifM(s).
represented the defendant(s).

(other appearances) were also present
AGREED FACTS
The following facts are admitted, agreed to be true, and require no proof:
(Here enumerate all agreed facts, including facts admitted in the pleadings.)
PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS

Plaintiff's contentions are as follows:

 
DETERMINATION OF LEGAL QUESTIONS IN ADVANCE OF TRIAL

It was agreed that the following legal issues should be determined by the court in
advance of the trial

(Here specify issues and make provision for filing briefs with respect to such
issues.)

ADDITIONAL ISSUES

Additional issues to be determined andor addressed include:

order of proof where there is a counterclaim;

attorney's fees testimony and/or proof;

time of filing and service of tril briefs and other issues,

JURY SELECTION AND PROCESS

Order and method of selection, stipulation that jury will be selected or drawn,
numbering of panel, numberof challenges, time to file instructions, length of time on voir
dire.

 

 

TRIAL

Itis estimated that the case will require __hours/days for trial.

‘The case will be tried before the court with (without) a jury

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that this pre-trial order shall supersede the pleadings
‘and govern the course of the trial of this cause, unless modified to prevent manifest
injustice.

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that all pleadings herein shall be amended to conform
to this pretrial order.

DATED this day of. 3920__.

 

District Judge
Approved as to form and content.

‘Attorney for Plaintiff

‘Attorney for Defendant

Rule 67. Briefs.
Al briefs presented to the court at any time will be filed with the court and must
forthwith be served on all opposing counsel.

Rule7 8. Jury instructions and verdict forms.
(a) Submission. All proposed jury instructions and verdict forms must be
delivered to the court in duplicate and a copy served upon all opposing parties at the time

 
 

fixed in the pre-trial order. Thereafter, additional instru
manifest injustice.

(b) Citation of author ‘ach proposed instruction shall contain at the bottom
the source thereof and a citation of authorities, if any, supporting the statement of law
therein,

(©) Form, Each instruction shall be on 8%5" X11” paper and shall, after the
citation of authorities, indicate the party on whose behalf it is requested and be numbered
‘consecutively. One copy of the instructions filed with the court shall not be firmly bound
together.

(4) Request for special findings by jury. Whenever a party desires special findings
by a jury he shall file with the court and serve a copy upon all opposing partes,
‘writing, the issues or questions of fact upon which such findings are requested, in proper
form for submission to the jury.

1s may be allowed to prevent

   

  

Rule 89. igs and conclusions.

In all matters where the court must enter findings of fact and conclusions of law
pursuant to Rule 52, MRCiv.P., all parties shall file with the court and serve upon
‘opposing counsel, at least five days prior to the scheduled trial or hearing, proposed
findings of fact and conclusions of law. Failure to file proposed findings of fact and
conclusions of law in a timely manner shall be cause for appropriate sanction, including,
removal of the case from the trial calendar, dismissal or granting of a judgment,
precluding the offending party from presentation of evidence or objecting to evidence
‘submitted by the other party, or such other action as the court deems appropriate. Post-
‘tial amended and supplemental findings of fact and conclusions of law may be submitted
in appropriate circumstances and only upon order of the court

 

 

Rule 910. Juror questionnaire.
All jurors are requested to complete a questionnaire, the form of which is on file
with the cierk in his general order file and which contains basic vital statistics and other
Pertinent information. ‘The completed questionnaires will be available for examination or
copying by counsel in the clerk's office in advance of trial and should be used so as to
expedite the examination of jurors. The attomeys shall not unduly reiterate the
information contained in the questionnaires during their voir dre examination

 

 

Rule 11, Setting trial date in civil cases and motion dispositi
(@) Time limitation. The trial date must be set no later than 18 months from date
of filing for civil cases or 6 months from the date of the filing of a third-party complaint

 

 
under Rule 14, M.R.Civ.P., whichever is later, unless good cause is shown to the
presiding judge or designee, or the case is designated a “complex case.”

(1), 90% of al civil cases should be setled, tried or otherwise concluded within 18
‘months (540 days) of filing.

(2) 98% of all civil cases should be settled, tried or otherwise concluded within 24
months (720 days) of filing.

(3) 100% of all civil cases should be settled, tried or otherwise concluded within
30 months (900 days) of filing.

(b) Trial setting. In accordance with Rule 16(b), M.R.Civ-P., the scheduling order
should include a trial date within the time limit set forth above. “The trial date should
rormally issue after the parties and presiding judge or designee agree on an available tral
date. If the parties do not agree on a trial date, the district court or its designee will set
the case for trial on a date that is convenient to the district court, but within the time
limitations set forth above.

(©) Notification of failure to timely dispose. If a civil case has not been disposed
of within 30 months from date of filing or 6 months from the date of the filing of a third-
party complaint under Rule 14, M.R.Civ.P., whichever is later, the clerk of the district
Court shall report such case to the Supreme Court administrator. Notice shall also be sent
to counsel of record along with instruction for mandatory notice to clients of the time and
reason for delay.

(4) Remedies for failure to timely dispose. If a district court judge is found to
have 10 or more current cases that have been opened for a period of more than 48
‘months, the Supreme Court administrator shall bring the matter to the attention of the
Chief Justice of the Montana Supreme Court who shall issue an order to show cause why
the eases have not been resolved.

If after the show cause hearing, the Supreme Court determines that good cause
does not exist for failure to timely dispose of a civil caseload, the Court may assign the
‘matter to a different district court judge and consider any other appropriate remedy to
assist the district court with its backlog,

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

Commission Commons:
Ths rade ts be readin conjunction with the scheduling procedures set forth n Rae 16(0), MRC.
009,

2. The most practical procedure for seting wal dates is after the mater is deemed a ssw, meaning the
‘Anower tothe nial complain hasbeen filed

4. The Commission recognizes that Rale 16). MRCP. (2004), provides tha the scheduling order may
Include dates for tris.” However. the Commission recommends tht the Wl dates be Included Inthe inital
shel order
Rule 12, Complex cases.

(a) Any party in a case may apply to the presiding judge to have the matter
designated as a “complex case.”

(b) The criteria used for designation as a “complex case” may include, but shall
not be limited to, the following: the number of parties involved, the complexity of the
legal issues, the expected extent and difficulty of discovery and the anticipated length of
trial.

(©)A presiding judge may assign any matter designated as a “complex case” to a
specific judge who shall thereafter have full or partial responsibility for the case as
determined by the presiding judge.

(a) A “complex case” shall not be subject to the time limitation or trial setting
procedures set forth in Rules 11(a), (b) and (c), Unif. Dist. Ct, R.; however, any such case
shall be set for tral as soon as practical, but in any event, within 30 months from the dae
of filing unless, for good cause shown, the trial date is extended by the assigned judge. In
‘any event, the matter must be concluded by settlement, order or trial within 36 months
from the date of filing the complaint.

  

Commission Comment
‘The cout shall determine wheter or not the mater shouldbe designated a “complex case.”

Rationale

‘Timely dspoition of civil cass is consistent withthe Trial Court Performance Standards adopted bythe
‘American Har Association, the National Centr for State Courts and other states suchas Oregon, Washington and
California. This Role i intended to be a stndaté and guideline for all district cours in Montana. This Rule
‘provides distri courts with advisory standards designed to encourage development of goals inthe disposition of
‘uses. This Rules designed to enhance public configence in the judiial system. This Rule complies with Article
TT, Section 16, of the Montana Constitution and Rule 1, RCW.

Rule 4013. Death or removal of attorne)

(@) Whenever an attomey representing a party to an action, or in another civil
proceeding of any kind, is removed, withdraws or ceases to act as such, said attorney
‘must inform the court and all other parties of the full name and address of is client and
any other information which the court may find appropriate to assist in contacting said

 

 

(b) When the attomey representing a party to an action or proceeding dies, is
removed, withdraws, or ceases to act as such, that party, before any further proceedings
are had against him must be given notice by any adverse party:

(1) That such party must appoint another attorney or appear in person, and

(2) The date of the trial or ofthe next hearing or action required in the case, and

G) ‘That if he fails to appoint an attomey or appear in person by a date certain,
Which may not be less than twenty days from the date of the notice, the action or other

 
proceeding will proceed and may result in a judgment or other order being entered
against him, by default or otherwise.

() Such notice may be by personal service or by certified mail to said party's last
known address

(@) If said party does not appoint another attorney or appear in person within
twenty days of the service or mailing of said notice, the action may proceed to judgment.
However, copies of all papers and documents required to be served by these rules and the
Rules of Civil Procedure shall be mailed to said party at his last known address.

() In addition to the foregoing requirements of Rule 40 13 and before any change
of substitution of attorney is effective, whether such change or substitution is occasioned
by the death of the attorney or by his removal, withdrawal, ceasing to act, suspension or
disbarment, the requirements of sections 37-61-403, 37-61-404 and 37-61-405, MCA,
shall have been fully satisfied.

 

 

Rule 4414. Judgments and decrees.

Whenever a judgment or decree is signed by the presiding judge, it shall be
delivered to the clerk and immediately filed in the records of the court, and the fee
required by law shall be forthwith paid to the clerk. Failure of counsel to observe this
rule shall be deemed a contempt of court.

Rule 215, Exhibits.

(@) Every exhibit placed on file or offered in evidence shall be held in the custody
of the clerk. Unless there be good reason why the original of an exhibit should be
tetained, upon application, the court may order a copy filed in its place. Public records
offered in evidence may be withdrawn at the conclusion of the hearing on order of the
court.

(b) Exhibits may be withdrawn by the party offering them thiny days after a
judgment has become final. Forty-five days after a judgment has become final, the clerk
‘may apply to the court for an order to dispose of exhibits and shall notify counsel of
record of said application. ‘Twenty days after mailing of said notice, the court may enter
its order authorizing the clerk to dispose of exhibi

 

 

 

 

Rule $316. Regulation of attorneys not admitted to practice in Montana.

‘An attomey secking to be admitted to practice before this the court on a particu
case who is not admitted to the Bar of Montana and who is authorized to practice law in
the highest courts of another state must, atthe time of hisher first appearance in a district
court in Montana or within ten days thereafter and before any further proceedings are had

 

 

10
in the matter, join with, of record, an attorney whois admitted to practice in Montana and
Who isa resident of Montana,

In order to help secure the just, speedy, and inexpensive determination of every
action, such local counsel must be furnished with all factual, evidentiary, and legal
information necessary to act on behalf of the party and must also be vested with full and
‘complete authority to act on behalf of and bind the party in all matters connected with the
litigation

A failure of local counsel to take any action required by the Rules of Civil
Procedure or these rules by lack of authority shal, forthe purpose of imposing sanctions,
be treated asa refusal to act

 

 

Rule 4417. Chief district judge.

(a) In a multijudge district court of Montana, a chief district judge shall be selected
at the beginning of each calendar year, and the position shall rotate among the judges of
the district annually, unless the judges of the district agree otherwise. The rotation shall
commence with the most senior district judge.

(b) The duties of the chief district judge shall be to provide for the efficient
‘management of the district court business, in cooperation with the other judges of the
district.

Rule #518. Local rules allowed,
Nothing in these rules shall be construed as limiting the power of the district
courts from promulgating rules that do not conflict with these rules,

u