June 2026 – Utah Court Rules

Posted: June 30, 2026

Rules of Juvenile Procedure – Effective November 1, 2026

URJP018. Summons; service of process; notice. Amend. The approved amendments primarily aim to amend paragraph (d) to allow email notice of further proceedings without requiring a party’s prior consent, similar to Rule 5 of the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure. Several other amendments were approved to improve clarity, including more specific cross-references to other bodies of rules. The revisions also include the merging of paragraphs (f) and (g) to clarify that papers not requiring summons must be served according to Rule 5 of the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure, and that eFiling through the C.A.R.E. system does not constitute service.

Supreme Court Order

Posted: June 22, 2026

Code of Judicial Administration – Effective June 22, 2026

CJA04-906. Guardian ad litem program (REPEALED)
CJA04-906. Guardian ad Litem Office, Oversight Committee, and Director (NEW)
CJA04-906.01. GALs, staff, and volunteers (NEW)
CJA04-906.02. Private GALs (NEW)
CJA04-906.03. Complaints (NEW)
Rule 4-906 is repealed and replaced with four distinct rules to reflect the legislative changes in House Bill 372 (effective May 6, 2026) regarding the Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Oversight Committee and the GAL Office Director’s responsibilities. The amendments also incorporate a new appeal process for complaints, while maintaining the substance of the provisions related to GAL staff, volunteers, and private GALs.

Judicial Council Order

Posted: June 10, 2026

Rules of Appellate Procedure – Effective November 1, 2026

URAP049. Petition for writ of certiorari. Amend. The amendments to Rule 49 include: 1) adding a word limit and changing the page limit from 20 pages to 15 pages; 2) adding a requirement that a certificate of compliance be included with the petition; 3) clarifying what the statement of the case should include; and 4) clean-up for clarity and consistency.

URAP050. Response; reply. Amend. The amendments to Rule 50 include: 1) adding what the contents of the response to a petition for writ of certiorari should include; 2) adding a word limit and changing the page limit from 20 pages to 15 pages for a response; 3) adding a word limit of 1,500 for the reply; 4) adding a requirement that a certificate of compliance be included with the response and reply; 5) clarifying what the statement of the case should include; and 6) clean-up for clarity and consistency.

URAP055A. Motion to remand for findings necessary to determination of ineffective assistance of counsel claim. Amend. The amendments to Rule 55A adds a procedure for the juvenile court to transmit the supplemental record to the appellate court.

Supreme Court Order