Court Opinion

ID: 9747200
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-27 15:02:38.467049+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:25:20.752528
License: Public Domain

DURRANT, Associate Chief Justice,
concurring:
T 46 I concur fully in the majority's conclusion, but write separately because I would support incorporating the requirements for notice set forth in Utah Standard of Profes-stonalism and Civility 14-801(16) ("Standard 16") into the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure. I agree with the majority's conclusion that the plain language of Utah Rule of Civil Procedure 5(a)(2)(B) does not require notice prior to entry of a default judgment if the party in default has failed to formally appear. As the majority's opinion makes clear, however, requiring formal appearance creates an incongruity between this rule of civil procedure and Standard 16. That standard states that "lawyers shall not cause the entry of a default without first notifying other counsel whose identity is known, unless their clients' legitimate rights could be adversely affected."3 In light of this standard, I would support amending the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure.
T 47 I believe that Standard 16 is superior to the standard set forth at rule 5(a)(2)(B). First, where an attorney knows the identity of opposing counsel, requiring that the attorney notify opposing counsel before causing the entry of a default judgment will presumably lead to fewer default judgments. This will advance the general policy of resolving *1044disputes on their merits.4 The benefits of this are clear-parties will be afforded "a full opportunity to present their evidence and contentions as to disputed issues so [that cases] may be disposed of on substantial rather than upon technical grounds." 5
Second, Standard 16 will likely be easier to administer than the "informal contacts" standard adopted by many jurisdictions. As the majority points out, examining whether a party's conduct taken as a whole indicates the party's intent to participate in a lawsuit would be highly fact-intensive and would require case-by-case application.6 Even given the relative complexity of this standard, it has considerable support. Most jurisdictions that have examined the issue have opted to employ this "informal contacts" rule to promote resolution of cases on their merits.7 The test set forth in Standard 16 will almost certainly be easier to administer than the test adopted by most jurisdictions because inquiring whether an attorney knew the identity of opposing counsel is simpler than weighing the relative value of an opposing party's informal conduct as it relates to a lawsuit.
1 49 In short, I believe that incorporating Standard 16 into the Rules of Civil Procedure would give rise to substantial benefits. These benefits would likely outweigh the costs associated with administering it-indeed, most jurisdictions that have considered the question have adopted a more burdensome standard in pursuit of the same benefits.
50 The Utah Standards of Professionalism and Civility were enacted to advance "the hallmarks of a learned profession dedicated to public service."8 I believe that incorporating Standard 16 into the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure would contribute greatly to this goal. Accordingly, while I agree with the majority, I would support an amendment of the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure that would incorporate the notice requirements set forth in Standard 16, and would refer this issue to our Advisory Committee on the Rules of Civil Procedure for study and recommendation.
151 Chief Justice DURHAM and Justice PARRISH concur in Associate Chief Justice DURRANT's concurring opinion.

. Utah Standards of Professionalism and Civility 14-301(16).

. See Mason v. Mason, 597 P.2d 1322, 1323 (Utah 1979) ("[Clourts should be liberal in granting relief against judgments taken by default to the end that controversies may be tried on the merits.").

. McKean v. Mountain View Mem'l Estates, 17 Utah 2d 323, 411 P.2d 129, 130 (1966).

. Supra, 125.

. Supra, M\ 25, 27-28.

. Utah Standards of Professionalism and Civility pmbl.