Supreme Court Rules of Professional Practice – Utah Court Rules

Posted: July 31, 2026

Supreme Court Rules of Professional Practice – Effective July 22, 2026

SCRP01-530. Unprofessional Conduct Complaints. AMEND. The amendments clarify the Lawyer discipline process before the Office of Professional Conduct (OPC) and the Utah Supreme Court’s Ethics and Discipline Committee (the Committee), including what relief may be sought, who may file a disciplinary Complaint, the OPC’s investigation of the allegations in a Complaint, and the circumstances when the OPC may dismiss or decline to prosecute a disciplinary Complaint. The amendments also address the manner in which a Complainant may appeal the OPC’s dismissal of or declination to prosecute a Complaint to the Committee chair, the standards applicable to such appeals, and what records the chair will review in connection with an appeal. In addition, the amendments specify what may occur when the Committee chair reverses an OPC dismissal.

Supreme Court Order

Posted: April 23, 2026

Rules Governing the Utah State Bar – Admissions – Effective May 1, 2026

USB4-701. Definitions. Amend. The change adds definitions for Legacy UBE and NextGen UBE as subparts of paragraph (qq). The definitions will be necessary going forward as jurisdictions begin administering the NextGen UBE starting July 2026.

USB4-702. Board – general powers. Amend. The changes add “no authority to waive rules” to the title and clarifies in paragraph (f) that the process to request a rule waiver is found in new rule 14-722.

USB4-712.Qualifications for admission based on UBE. Amend. The change will allow an applicant to transfer a score from either the Legacy UBE or the NextGen UBE exam taken in another jurisdiction starting with the July 2026 exam administration.

USB4-715. Requests for Review. Amend. The amendments to Rule 14-715: (1) clarify the process to request a review by the Admissions Committee of a final determination, (2) clarify the standard under which the Admissions Committee reviews determination, and (3) includes cleanup for clarity and consistency.

USB4-722. Petition to Waive a Rule in Extraordinary Circumstances. New. The proposed rule establishes a process for an applicant to seek a rule waiver. It clearly sets forth the “extraordinary circumstances” standard and adds an advisory note referencing relevant opinions from this Court. The change also states that the Court will not grant a rule waiver without requesting a response from the Bar, which will alleviate some burden on the Bar to respond to every petition filed under the rule.

USB4-809. Practice Pending Admission. Amend. The change adds a paragraph to the rule stating that someone who has received a passing score on the most recent bar examination in Utah and who is awaiting the next motion for admission may receive a Practice Pending Admission certificate if all other requirements are met.

The change imposes a six-month time limit on the Practice Pending Admission certificate for these applicants, which is consistent with rule 4-716(d) and its six-month time limit for an applicant to take the oath after being eligible for admission.

Supreme Court Order

Posted: March 23, 2026

Supreme Court Rules of Professional Practice – Effective May 1, 2026

SCRPP01-511. Screening panel composition; responsibilities. Amend. The amendments to this rule eliminate the requirement that the Ethics and Discipline Committee membership be divided into four panels.

Supreme Court Order