Fergus County District Court, Montana Pre-Motion Conference Requirements

Before submitting a motion, the moving party must contact the other parties concerning it.

In a prefatory statement in each motion submitted to the Court, the moving party shall certify that the other parties have been contacted concerning the motion, and whether the parties object to the motion.

The parties must hold an informal discovery conference before filing a motion to compel discovery.

the parties must hold an informal discovery conference prior to filing a motion to compel discovery.

When a motion is submitted too late for a full briefing schedule, the moving party must request a shortened schedule and state the adverse party’s position.

If a party submits a motion at a time that does not allow a full briefing schedule, the party filing the motion shall request a shortened briefing schedule and indicate the adverse party’s position about a shortened briefing schedule.

Unless the Court has been informed that the adverse party does not oppose the motion, or the adverse party opposes the relief but does intend to file a written objection, then absent good cause to act ex parte, the adverse party is entitled to the opportunity to respond or object to the Motion before the Court makes a ruling.

Unless the Court has been informed that the adverse party does not oppose the motion, or the adverse party opposes the relief but does intend to file a written objection, then absent good cause to act ex parte, the adverse party is entitled to the opportunity to respond or object to the Motion before the Court makes a ruling.

A motion is deemed opposed if the contacted party has not replied, and the Court will not rule until the response period expires or opposing counsel files a notice of no objection.

Statements that the other party has been contacted but have not yet replied will automatically be deemed as an opposed motion and will not be ruled on until the response time has expired, or opposing counsel has filed a notice of no objection.