Phillips County District Court, Montana Chambers Communication Rules

CRITICAL

If the 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

Contact

Phone

Phone

(406) 654-1062

At least 10 days before the scheduling conference, attorneys and unrepresented parties must call the Court’s Administrative Assistant at the stated number 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.

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

Phone

(406) 654-1062

Unless the Judge schedules them, contested matters, factual matters, and matters requiring more than 30 minutes must be scheduled through the Court’s Administrative Assistant at the stated number.

Unless scheduled by the Judge, 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 barred without opposing parties’ presence or notice, or their prior approval or stipulation.

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.

CRITICAL

Letters and other communications to the Court must show 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.

WARNING

Only attorneys with an office practice in the county may remove library materials, and they must first inform the local Clerk of Court.

Only attorneys maintaining an office practice within the county where the library is located can remove books or materials from the library upon first informing the local Clerk of Court.

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

The public may access the law library during business hours by requesting access from the Clerk of Court.

The library will be open to the general public during the business day upon request made of the Clerk of Court.

INFO

Contact the local District Court for exhibits or forms referred to in these pages.

Note: contact the local District Court for any exhibits or forms referred to within these pages.

INFO

After any allowed briefing or additional-filing period, parties may and are encouraged to send 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.