October 2016 – Utah Court Rules

Posted: October 31, 2016

Rules of Civil Procedure – Effective November 1, 2016

URCP004. Process. Amend. The proposed amendment eliminates the authority to serve a defendant any time before trial, see St. Jeor v. Kerr Corporation, 2015 UT 49, ¶2. It also allows for and describes acceptance of the summons and complaint, which replaces the section on waiver of service, and it requires proof of service to include a copy of the summons.

URCP015. Amended and supplemental pleadings. Amend. Adopts the federal rule governing relation-back of an amended pleading when the amended pleading adds a new party. See Wright v. P.K. Transport, 2014 UT App 93. ¶¶ 18-22, Voros concurring. Requires that the proposed amended pleading be attached to the motion for permission to file an amended pleading. Adopts many of the grammar and style amendments of the federal rule.

Supreme Court Order

Posted: October 24, 2016

Code of Judicial Administration – Effective November 1, 2016

CJA11-0201 Senior judges. Amend. Provides that to be an active senior judge, a judge shall be both a current resident of Utah and be available to take cases. Also removes the reference to attorney survey results under the requirement that senior judges obtain results on their most recent judicial performance evaluation sufficient to have certified them for retention.

CJA11-0203 Senior justice court judges. Amend. Includes an allowance for judges who were laid off pursuant to Utah Code § 78A-7-203 to qualify as a senior justice court judge and adds an initial qualifying requirement that senior justice court judges obtain results on their most recent judicial performance evaluation sufficient to have certified them for retention.

Supreme Court Order

Posted: October 12, 2016

Code of Judicial Administration – Effective November 1, 2016

CJA03-0104 Presiding judges. Amend. Affirms the authority of presiding judges to appoint senior judges to fill judicial vacancies for up to 14 judicial days without prior approval. Provides that if more than 14 judicial days of coverage is needed, the presiding judge will present to the State Court Administrator a plan for meeting the needs of the court and the budget needed to implement the plan. If any part of the plan is contested by the State Court Administrator, the plan will be reviewed by the Management Committee of the Judicial Council for final determination.

Approved minutes

Posted: October 12, 2016

Rules of Appellate Procedure – Effective November 1, 2016

URAP002 Adds Rule 14(a) to the list of rules that the court cannot suspend.

URAP014 Amend. Requires a party seeking review in the Supreme Court or Court of Appeals of an administrative agency order to file a petition for review even if a statute describing the review describes it as an appeal. Removes provisions governed by statute or other rules.

URAP025A New. Describes the requirement and procedures for serving briefs on the attorney general or county or municipal attorney when challenging the constitutionality of a statute or ordinance. Establishes penalties for failure to do so. Allows the attorney general or county or municipal attorney to file an amicus brief when the constitutionality of a statute or ordinance is challenged. Allows the appellate court to request an amicus brief.

URAP052 Describes the effect of post-trial motions in child welfare proceedings using language similar to Rule 4.

Supreme Court Order