Author: Utah Courts

Rules of Appellate Procedure – Effective November 1, 2016

URAP004 Establishes a new policy on time in which to appeal a judgment when a motion for attorney fees has been filed. A motion for attorney fees would have the same effect as a motion under Rules of Civil Procedure 50, 52 or 59, extending the time in which to appeal to 30 days after the order on the motion, effectively overturning ProMax Development Corp. v. Raile, 2000 UT 4, 998 P.2d 254.

URAP028A Outlines different processes for mediation in the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals. Provides that the denial of a mediation request does not prevent parties from engaging in private mediation or settlement negotiations. Makes technical changes.

Supreme Court Order

 

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

USB14-803 Inactive lawyers providing legal services for legal services organizations; purposes. Amend. The changes to Rule 14-803 expand the scope of the rule to allow inactive Utah attorneys to provide pro bono legal services under the auspices of an approved sponsoring entity without the requirement of a supervising attorney. The rule has also been expanded to allow attorneys admitted in other jurisdictions, who are not admitted in Utah but living in Utah, to provide pro bono legal services under the rule.

Supreme Court Order

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Code of Judicial Administration – Effective May 1, 2016

CJA03-302 Clerk of Court. Amend. Provides that the clerk’s office shall be open during all business hours except Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Provides that during hours of operation the clerk or deputy shall be physically present, or immediately available remotely.

CJA03-306.01 Language access definitions. New. Defines terms applicable to rules 3-306.02 through 3-306.05 of the Utah Code of Judicial Administration. Deletions and additions to the language are redlined.

CJA03-306.02 Language Access Committee. New. Outlines the Language Access Committee’s responsibilities. Deletions and additions to the language are redlined.

CJA03-306.03 Interpreter certification. New. Outlines the process for becoming a certified interpreter. Provides a process whereby an exception may be made to one or more of the requirements as determined by the Language Access Committee. Reiterates the policy that contract interpreters are independent contractors. Deletions and additions to the language are redlined.

CJA03-306.04 Interpreter appointment, payment, and fees. New. Outlines the interpreter appointment process. Provides that the Judicial Council will review a market study every three years in order to set hourly rates for interpreters. Deletions and additions to the language are redlined.

CJA03-306.05 Interpreter removal, discipline, and formal complaints. New. Outlines the interpreter discipline process. Provides that an interpreter may be disciplined for unprofessional conduct, or for being convicted of, or charged with, a crime. Revises the formal complaint process so that following a proposed resolution by the Language Access Program Coordinator, an interpreter may request a hearing before a panel of the Language Access Committee, and may appeal that panel’s decision to the Language Access Committee. Deletions and additions to the language are redlined.

CJA04-106 Electronic conferencing. Amend. Authorizes the use of remote conferencing in lieu of personal appearances when certain requirements are met.

CJA04-408.01 Responsibility for administration of trial courts. Amend. Removes Morgan from the list of district courts administered by a county or municipality, since it is administered by the Administrative Office of the Courts.

CJA04-602 Victims’ Rights Committees. Repeal. Repeals the rule because the process for establishing Victims’ Rights Committees is now outlined by Utah Code section 77-37-5.

CJA09-105 Justice Court hours. Amend. Provides that during hours of operation, the justice court judge or clerk shall be physically present, or immediately available remotely.

CJA09-302 Mandatory electronic filing. New. Provides that e-filing will be discretionary in justice court criminal cases from July 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016. Provides that e-filing will be mandatory in justice court criminal cases beginning January 1, 2017.

CJA01-201 Membership – Election. Amend. Provides that Council members are not eligible to be voting members of a Board of Judges of a trial court.

Approved minutes

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Rules of Professional Conduct – Effective May 1, 2015

RPC 01.00 Terminology. Amend. Incorporates provisions of the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct.

RPC 01.01 Competence. Amend. Incorporates provisions of the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct.

RPC 01.04 Communication. Amend. Incorporates provisions of the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct.

RPC 01.06 Confidentiality of Information. Amend. Incorporates provisions of the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct.

RPC 01.17 Sale of Law Practice. Amend. Incorporates provisions of the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct.

RPC 01.18 Duties to Prospective Client. Amend. Incorporates provisions of the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct.

RPC 04.04 Respect for Rights of Third Persons. Amend. Incorporates provisions of the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct.

RPC 05.03 Responsibilities Regarding Nonlawyer Assistants. Amend. Changes the name of the rule. Incorporates provisions of the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct.

RPC 05.05 Unauthorized Practice of Law; Multijurisdictional Practice of Law. Amend. Incorporates provisions of the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct.

RPC 07.01 Communications Concerning a Lawyer’s Services. Amend. In light of comments received regarding the originally proposed rules, the Court’s Advisory Committee on the Rules of Professional Conduct and the Utah State Bar prepared amended rules. These rules provide additional guidance to lawyers as to which communications are false or misleading in order to protect the public. Submission of advertising to the Bar as mandated under the earlier proposed rules is no longer required.

RPC 07.02 Advertising. Amend. In light of comments received regarding the originally proposed rules, the Court’s Advisory Committee on the Rules of Professional Conduct and the Utah State Bar prepared amended rules. These rules provide additional guidance to lawyers as to which communications are false or misleading in order to protect the public. Submission of advertising to the Bar as mandated under the earlier proposed rules is no longer required.

RPC 07.03 Solicitation of Clients. Amend. In light of comments received regarding the originally proposed rules, the Court’s Advisory Committee on the Rules of Professional Conduct and the Utah State Bar prepared amended rules. These rules provide additional guidance to lawyers as to which communications are false or misleading in order to protect the public. Submission of advertising to the Bar as mandated under the earlier proposed rules is no longer required.

RPC 08.05 Disciplinary Authority; Choice of Law. Amend. Incorporates provisions of the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct.

Supreme Court Order

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