Blaine County District Court, Montana Chambers Communication Rules

CRITICAL

Contact

Phone

If a case settles before trial without documentation, the parties must promptly inform the Court in person or by conference call.

If a case is settled by settlement conference or other method before the trial date without documentation, parties shall forthwith inform the Court in person or by conference call and a minute entry will be made vacating trial as the case has been settled.

CRITICAL

Counsel or parties must notify the Clerk of Court by noon on the preceding business day to place a matter on the law and motion calendar.

Counsel or parties shall notify the Clerk of Court by noon on the preceding business day of matters to be placed on the law and motion calendar.

CRITICAL

Contact

Phone to chambers

Phone

(406) 654-1062

Contested matters, matters involving factual questions, or matters requiring more than 30 minutes must be scheduled through the Court’s Administrative Assistant.

Contested matters, matters involving questions of fact, or matters requiring more than 30 minutes for presentation shall be scheduled through the Court’s Administrative Assistant at (406) 654-1062.

CRITICAL

Substantive ex parte discussions with the Court about pending or anticipated cases are prohibited unless all opposing parties are present or notified, or have approved or stipulated to the discussion; violations may result in sanctions.

There will be no ex parte discussion with the Court of substantive issues involving pending or anticipated cases without the presence of or notice to all opposing parties, or without prior approval or stipulation of opposing parties. A violation of this rule may result in imposition of sanctions against the offending party or attorney.

CRITICAL

Letters and other communications to the Court must indicate on their face that copies were sent to all opposing parties or counsel.

The Court will not receive letters or other communication from parties or counsel which do not indicate on their face that copies have been sent to all opposing parties or counsel.

CRITICAL

Contact

Phone to chambers

Phone

(406) 654-1062

At least ten (10) days prior to the scheduling conference, attorneys for the parties and any unrepresented parties shall have a phone conference with the Court’s Administrative Assistant at (406) 654-1062 to discuss a proposed scheduling order.

At least ten (10) days prior to the scheduling conference, attorneys for the parties and any unrepresented parties shall have a phone conference with the Court’s Administrative Assistant at (406) 654-1062 to discuss a proposed scheduling order.

WARNING

Only the Judge or the Court’s Administrative Assistant schedules oral argument.

Oral argument is scheduled exclusively by the Judge or through the Court’s Administrative Assistant.

WARNING

A moving party may present an emergency matter to the Court at any time upon an adequate showing.

Emergency matters may be presented to the court at any time upon adequate showing by moving party.

INFO

After any allowed briefing or additional-filing period, parties may—and are encouraged to—send the Court a reminder letter limited to a brief description of the matter and the date it was made or taken under advisement.

In matters pending or taken under advisement including, but not limited to, a motion or decision in a bench trial, parties may, and are encouraged, following any period as allowed for briefing or additional filing, to send the Court a reminder letter containing only a brief description of the matter needing attention and the date it was made or taken under advisement.