Utah Courts
URAP Rule 10 (Rules of Appellate Procedure)
URAP Rule 10 (Rules of Appellate Procedure)
Rule 10. Procedures for summary disposition or simplified appeal process.
(a) Time for filing; grounds for motion for summary disposition.
(a)(1) A party may move at any time to dismiss the appeal or the petition for review on the basis that the appellate court lacks jurisdiction. Any response to such motion must be filed within 14 days from the date of service.
(a)(2) After a docketing statement has been filed, the court, on its own motion, and on such notice as it directs, may dismiss an appeal or petition for review if the court lacks jurisdiction; or may summarily affirm the judgment or order that is the subject of review, if it plainly appears that no substantial question is presented; or may summarily reverse in cases of manifest error.
(a)(3) The time for taking other steps in the appellate process is suspended pending disposition of a motion for summary affirmance, reversal, or dismissal.
(a)(4) As to any issue raised by a motion for summary disposition, the court may defer its ruling until plenary presentation and consideration of the case.
(b) Simplified appeal process; eligible appeals.
(b)(1) For appeals involving the application of well-settled law to a set of facts, the court may designate an appeal for a simplified appeal process. An appellant in a case pending before the Court of Appeals may move for a simplified appeal process under this subsection within 10 days after the docketing statement is filed or the case is transferred to the court of appeals, whichever is later.
(b)(2) Appeals eligible for a simplified process are those involving the application of well-settled law to a set of facts, which may include, but are not limited to, cases in the following categories:
(b)(2)(A) appeals challenging only the sentence in a criminal case;
(b)(2)(B) appeals from the revocation of probation or parole;
(b)(2)(C) appeals from a judgment in an unlawful detainer action; and
(b)(2)(D) petitions for review of a decision of the Department of Workforce Services Workforce Appeals Board or the Labor Commission.
(c) Memoranda in lieu of briefs.
(c)(1) In appeals designated under subsection (b), the parties must file memoranda in support of their positions instead of briefs. The schedule for preparing memoranda will be set by appellate court order.
(c)(2) A party’s principal memorandum must include:
(c)(2)(A) an introduction describing the nature and context of the dispute, including the disposition in the court or agency whose judgment or order is under review;
(c)(2)(B) a statement of the issues for review, including a citation to the record showing that the issue was preserved for review or a statement of grounds for seeking review of an issue not preserved;
(c)(2)(C) an argument, explaining with reasoned analysis supported by citations to legal authority and the record, why the party should prevail on appeal; no separate statement of facts is required, but facts asserted in the argument must be supported by citations to the record;
(c)(2)(D) a claim for attorney fees, if any, including the legal basis for an award; and
(c)(2)(E) a certificate of compliance, certifying that the memorandum complies with rule 21 regarding public and private documents.
(c)(3) An appellant or petitioner may file a reply memorandum limited to responding to the facts and arguments raised in appellee’s or respondent’s principal memorandum. The reply memorandum must include an argument and a certificate of compliance with rule 21 regarding public and private documents.
(c)(4) Principal memoranda must be no more than 7,000 words or 20 pages if a word count is not provided. A reply memorandum must be no more than 3,500 words or 10 pages if a word count is not provided.
(d) Extension of time. By stipulation filed with the court prior to the expiration of time in which a memorandum is due, the parties may extend the time for filing by no more than 21 days. Any additional motions for an extension of time will be governed by rule 22(b).