January 2026 – Utah Court Rules

Posted: January 28, 2026

Rules of Civil Procedure – Effective January 28, 2026

URCP042. Consolidation; separate trials; venue transfer. AMEND. The amendments to this rule provide for consideration of the classification of the case and records associated with the case, filing of the motion by a party to either action that may be consolidated, filing of notices by the movant, clarification of the assigned judge and reassignment, and procedures for consolidation or severance of matters. This amended rule is effective immediately.

Supreme Court Order

Posted: January 26, 2026

Code of Judicial Administration – Effective May 1, 2026

CJA 3-109. Ethics Advisory Committee (AMEND)
The proposed amendments: 1) clarify the process by which ethics advisory opinions are requested and issued; and 2) make non-substantive formatting changes.

CJA 4-202.10. Record Sharing (AMEND)
The proposed amendments add the Office of Professional Conduct to the list of entities authorized to access nonpublic juvenile court records.

CJA 4-906. Guardian ad litem program (AMEND)
The proposed amendments: 1) change annual reporting from August to October in (3)(I) to allow the director and chair to report on legislative grants and requests more accurately; 2) increase compensation for conflict guardians ad litem in (6)(D) to attract experienced attorneys to handle conflict cases; and 3) make grammatical and stylistic changes.

Judicial Council Order

Posted: January 23, 2026

Rules of Appellate Procedure – Effective January 23, 2026

URAP022. Computation and enlargement of time. Amend. The Amendments to Rule 22 include: 1) changed enlargement of time to extension of time throughout the rule for consistency; 2) moved the stipulation language from Rule 26 to Rule 22 so the procedures for extensions of time can be found in one rule; 3) increased the amount of stipulated requests for extensions of time to up to 60 days; 4) clarified that stipulated requests for enlargements of time will be granted automatically without a court order; 5) removed paragraph (c) Ex parte motion as these are rarely used and can be filed as a regular motion for extension of time; and 6) cleaned-up for clarity and consistency.

Standing Order 17

Supreme Court Order

Posted: January 13, 2026

Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Rule Changes – Effective May 1, 2026

USB011-613. CLE Accreditation for qualified audio and video presentations, webcasts, computer interactive programs, writing, lecturing, teaching, public service, and verified attendance. AMEND. The change to the MCLE Rule 11-613 allows lawyers and Licensed Paralegal Practitioners to receive one hour of elective CLE credit for every 1,000 words up to a maximum of three elective CLE credit hours per compliance cycle.

Supreme Court Order

Posted: January 8, 2026

Rules of Evidence – Effective May 1, 2026

URE0404. Character evidence; crimes or other acts. Amend. The amendments to the text of the rule are technical rather than substantive in nature. Additionally, a new advisory committee note clarifies that consideration of the Shickles factors is no longer mandatory, but that they may be relevant and properly considered depending on the facts and circumstances of the case.

URE0408. Compromise offers and negotiations. Amend. Amendments to the text of this rule are likewise technical rather than substantive. A new advisory committee note observes that the rule differs from its federal counterpart.

URE0510. Miscellaneous matters. Amend. Amendments to the text of the rule are technical only. A reference has been added to legislation last year substantively amending this rule.

Supreme Court Order

Posted: January 8, 2026

Rules of Appellate Procedure – Effective May 1, 2026

URAP011. The record on appeal. Amended. The amendments to Rule 11 modify the time requirements for requesting transcripts from 14 days to 21 days. Additionally, the time will start from the docketing statement instead of the notice of appeal.

URAP028A. Appellate Mediation Office. Amended. The amendment to Rule 28A will stay an appeal if the appeal goes to mediation.

URAP003. Appeal as of right: how taken. Amended. The amendments Rule 3 include: 1) adding language instructing counsel to include in their notice of appeal whether they intend to remain as counsel on the appeal, and if they will not be, to provide the appellant’s contact information; and 2) moving paragraph (d)(2) to (d)(5).

URAP023A. Motion for reinstatement of appeal. Amended. The amendment to Rule 23A clarifies that a motion for reinstatement of an appeal must be filed before remittitur.

URAP023B. Motion to remand for findings necessary to determination of ineffective assistance of counsel claim. Amended. The amendments to Rule 23B include: 1) clarifying the contents of the motion; 2) removing the requirement that parties submit a proposed order of remand with the motion; and 3) clean-up for clarity and consistency.

Supreme Court Order