March 2016 – Utah Court Rules

Posted: March 4, 2016

Code of Judicial Administration – Effective May 1, 2016

CJA03-0114. Judicial outreach. Amend. Reorders the intent language. Provides that model outreach programs shall take into account existing curricula. Requires the committee to propose and implement rather than develop policies that encourage judicial participation in outreach programs.

CJA04-0202.02. Records classification. Amend. Deletes maiden name and mother’s maiden name from the lists of private and safeguarded information. Classifies juvenile mediation disposition notices as juvenile court social records. Notes a statutory exception to the protection of certain victim information.

CJA04-0503. Mandatory electronic filing. Amend. Requires an attorney seeking an exemption from efiling to submit a written request to the District Court Administrator.

Judicial Council Minutes – January, 2016

Judicial Council Minutes – February, 2016

Posted: March 4, 2016

Rules Governing the Utah State Bar (MCLE Rules) – Effective May 1, 2016

The following proposals address changes to the MCLE rules. The most substantive proposed change allows lawyers to receive up to six hours of live continuing legal education credit for attending live, interactive webcasts that are broadcast from a Utah state courthouse to a Utah state courthouse or from the Law and Justice Center to a Utah state courthouse. The proposals also address the requirements for active Bar members living outside of Utah and practicing in other jurisdictions. The majority of the changes correct grammar and inconsistencies with other Bar rules, as well as provide clarification.

USB 14-0401. Purpose. Amend.

USB 14-0402. Definitions. Amend.

USB 14-0403. Establishment and Membership of Board. Amend.

USB 14-0404. Active status lawyers: MCLE, NLCLE and admission on motion requirements. Amend.

USB 14-0405. MCLE requirements for lawyers on inactive status. Amend.

USB 14-0406. MCLE requirements for lawyers on active military duty. Amend.

USB 14-0407. MCLE requirements for lawyers on active emeritus status. Amend.

USB 14-0408. Credit hour defined; application for approval. Amend.

USB 14-0409. Self-study categories of accredited MCLE defined. Amend.

USB 14-0410. Accreditation of MCLE; undue hardship and special accreditation. Amend.

USB 14-0411. Board accreditation of non-approved sponsor courses. Amend.

USB 14-0412. Presumptively approved sponsors; presumptive MCLE accreditation. Amend.

USB 14-0413. MCLE credit for qualified audio and video presentations; computer interactive telephonic programs; writing; lecturing; teaching; live attendance. Amend.

USB 14-0414. Certificate of compliance; filing, late, and reinstatement fees; suspension; reinstatement. Amend.

USB 14-0415. Failure to satisfy MCLE requirements; notice; appeal procedures; reinstatement; waivers and extensions; deferrals. Amend.

USB 14-0416. Lawyers on active status not practicing law; certificate of exemption. Amend.

USB 14-0417. Miscellaneous fees and expenses. Amend.

Supreme Court Order.

Posted: March 4, 2016

Code of Judicial Administration – Effective December 14, 2015

CJA01-0205 Standing and ad hoc committees. Amend. Creates a standing committee of the Judicial Council to address pretrial release and supervision. Effective December 14, 2015 under rule 2-205 of the Utah Code of Judicial Administration. Subject to change after the comment period.
CJA03-0116 Pretrial Release and Supervision Committee. New. Outlines the responsibilities of the Judicial Council’s Standing Committee on Pretrial Release and Supervision. Effective December 14, 2015 under rule 2-205 of the Utah Code of Judicial Administration. Subject to change after the comment period.

Judicial Council minutes

Posted: March 4, 2016

Rules Governing the Utah State Bar – Effective January 27, 2016

USB 14-0503. Ethics and Discipline Committee. Amend. As part of the effort to remove responsibility for administrative support of the Ethics and Discipline Committee from OPC, describes in general terms the responsibilities of the clerk of the Ethics and Discipline Committee. Effective January 27, 2016 under rule 11-105 of the Utah Code of Judicial Administration. Subject to change after the comment period.
USB 14-0504. OPC counsel. Amend. As part of the effort to remove responsibility for administrative support of the Ethics and Discipline Committee from OPC, eliminates OPC’s responsibility for notice of disposition of matters. Effective January 27, 2016 under rule 11-105 of the Utah Code of Judicial Administration. Subject to change after the comment period.
USB 14-0510. Prosecution and appeals. Amend. As part of the effort to remove responsibility for administrative support of the Ethics and Discipline Committee from OPC, assigns specific tasks performed by OPC to the clerk of the Ethics and Discipline Committee. Effective January 27, 2016 under rule 11-105 of the Utah Code of Judicial Administration. Subject to change after the comment period.
USB 14-0533. Diversion. Amend. Removes the description of OPC acting as secretary to the Ethics and Discipline Committee. Effective January 27, 2016 under rule 11-105 of the Utah Code of Judicial Administration. Subject to change after the comment period.

Supreme Court Order (USB 14-503, USB 14-504, USB 14-510, USB 14-533)

Posted: March 4, 2016

Rules of Civil Procedure – Effective May 1, 2016

URCP 006. Time. Amend. Corrects references to amended rules 50 and 60.

Revision to URCP 006.

URCP 008. General rules of pleadings. Amend. Changes the phrase “contributory negligence” to “comparative fault,” in keeping with Utah Code sections 78B-5-817.

URCP 011. Signing of pleadings, motions, affidavits, and other papers; representations to court; sanctions. Amend. Recognizes the requirements of Rule 5(f) for a notarized, verified or acknowledged signature.

URCP 050. Judgment as a matter of law in a jury trial; related motion for a new trial; conditional ruling. Amend. Adopts many of the provisions of FRCP 50. Changes the name from “directed verdict” to “judgment as a matter of law.” Eliminates the requirement that the motion be renewed at the close of all evidence. Extends to 28 days after the judgment the time in which to renew the motion for judgment as a matter of law. Describes the effect of trial court rulings reversed on appeal.

URCP 052. Findings and conclusions by the court; amended findings; waiver of findings and conclusions; correction of the record; judgment on partial findings. Adopts many of the provisions of FRCP 52. Provides for judgment on partial findings, which will replace an equivalent provision in Rule 41(b). Extends to 28 days after the judgment the time in which to file a motion to amend or make additional findings.

URCP 055. Default. Amend. Requires the plaintiff to provide a verified complaint or affidavit setting forth the necessary facts to establish the amount of the claim, after deducting credits, and verifies that the amount is warranted by information in the plaintiff’s possession.

URCP 059. New trial; amendments of judgment. Amend. Adopts many of the provisions of FRCP 59. Extends to 28 days after the judgment the time in which to file a motion for new trial or a motion to amend or alter the judgment. Allows the court to grant, after notice and an opportunity to be heard, a motion for a new trial for a reason not stated in the motion.

URCP 060 Relief from judgment or order. Amend. Style changes intended to simplify and clarify the rule.

URCP 063. Disability or disqualification of a judge. Amend. Allows a second or subsequent motion to disqualify a judge if the motion is based on grounds that the party did not know of and could not have known of at the time of the earlier motion. Requires a request to submit for decision with the motion. Expressly prohibits a response from another party.

Supreme Court Order.

Revised Supreme Court Order

Posted: March 4, 2016

Rules Governing the Utah State Bar – Effective May 1, 2016

The following proposals address changes to the Bar admissions rules. The proposed changes are primarily a reorganization of the current rules to make them easier for applicants to understand. Redundant sections of the rules were deleted and consolidated. There also are numerous changes proposed for consistency, form and clarification. Substantive changes include a change in the definition of “Active Practice” in Rule 14-701, the consolidation of all review procedures under Rule 14-715, and changes to timing of motions for admissions, the ceremony and taking of the oath of attorney in Rules 14-707 and 14-716.

USB14-701. Definitions. Amend.

USB14-703. Qualifications for admission of Student and Foreign Law School Applicants. Amend.

USB14-704. Qualifications for admission of Attorney Applicants. Amend.

USB14-705. Admission by motion. Amend.

USB14-706. Test accommodations. Amend.

USB14-707. Application; deadlines; withdrawals; postponements and fees. Amend.

USB14-708. Character and fitness. Amend.

USB14-709. Application denial. Amend.

USB14-710. Administration of the Bar Exam. Amend.

USB14-711. Grading and passing of the Bar Exam. Amend.

USB14-712. Qualifications for admission based on UBE. Amend.

USB14-715. Bar Examination appeals. Amend.

USB14-716. License fees; enrollment fees; oath and admission. Amend.

USB14-717. Readmission after resignation or disbarment of Utah attorneys. Amend.

USB14-718. Licensing of Foreign Legal Consultants. Amend.

USB14-719. Qualifications for admission of House Counsel applicants. Amend.

Supreme Court Order

Posted: March 4, 2016

Rules of Appellate Procedure – Effective May 1, 2016

URAP 021. Filing and service. Amend. Provides that if a filing including an addendum contains non-public information, the filer must also file a redacted version of the filing.

URAP 038A. Withdrawal of counsel. Amend. Requires that appointed appellate counsel represent a client through the first appeal as of right.

URAP 040. Attorney’s or party’s certificate; sanctions and discipline. Amend. Provides that a person may sign a document using any form recognized by law as binding. Provides that by signing a document, a person makes certain representations to the court including that a filing made under rule 21(g) does not contain non-public information.

Supreme Court Order.

Posted: March 4, 2016

Rules Governing the Utah State Bar – Effective January 6, 2016

USB 14-0807. Law student and law graduate legal assistance. Amend. Subject to some limitations, permits 2L and 3L students, as well as recent graduates within the year following graduation, to practice under the rule. Expands the areas in which students and graduates may practice. Effective January 6, 2016 under rule 11-105(5) of the Utah Code of Judicial Administration. Subject to change after the comment period.

Supreme Court Order.