Silver Bow County District Court, Montana Chambers Communication Rules

CRITICAL

The sender of a fax filing must notify the Clerk that it was transmitted and verify the Clerk’s receipt of each transmission.

It is the responsibility of the originator of such facsimile transmission to notify the Clerk of Court that such filing has been transmitted and verify receipt of each transmission by the Clerk of Court.

CRITICAL

All parties must promptly notify the assigned judge when a dismissal, consent judgment, or other resolution makes a setting unnecessary.

Upon dismissal, consent judgment, or other resolution reached which makes a setting unnecessary, all parties shall promptly notify the assigned judge.

CRITICAL

Do not discuss substantive issues ex parte with the Court or judge’s staff without opposing counsel present or notified, unless counsel has given prior approval or stipulation; violations may result in sanctions.

There will be no ex parte discussion with the Court of substantive issues involved in pending or anticipated cases without the presence of or notice to all opposing counsel, or without prior approval or stipulation by such counsel. A violation of this rule may result in imposition of sanctions against the offending attorney or party. The same prohibition against ex parte contact with the judge, applies to the judge's staff.

WARNING

Counsel must inform the Clerk of Court and the Court or its staff as expeditiously as possible when a contested matter is settled or vacated.

D. Counsel shall inform the Clerk of Court and the Court and/or the Court’s staff as expeditiously as possible when a contested matter has been settled or vacated.

WARNING

Court staff are cautioned against discussing procedural matters in actual cases and may not offer legal advice.

Staff members are cautioned against discussion about procedural matters especially as it relates to an actual case because the inquirer may gain an advantage over opposing counsel. Additionally, the court staff may not offer legal advice.

WARNING

Counsel must first check with the judge’s court assistant for available hearing dates and times when seeking a hearing.

It shall be the responsibility of counsel to first check with the Judge’s court assistant for available dates and times when seeking a hearing.

WARNING

Law and motion matters must be heard in open court, but ex parte matters may be presented in the presiding judge’s chambers.

All matters presented on law and motion day shall be heard in open court, in the courtroom of the Judge presiding, except that ex parte matters may be presented in chambers of the presiding Judge.

WARNING

If a party believes a potentially violent situation might arise, the party, through counsel or pro se, should notify the assigned judge and court bailiff sufficiently in advance for security measures to be arranged.

A. Potentially violent situations; duty of party. In any type of case where a party believes that a potentially violent situation might arise, that party, through counsel or pro se, should notify the assigned Judge and court bailiff sufficiently in advance so that appropriate security measures can be taken.

INFO

Attorneys or their staff may arrange with a District Judge’s court assistant or law clerk to access the library outside its stated hours.

If access to the library is required at other times, attorneys or their staff may make arrangements with the court assistant or law clerk of either District Judge.

INFO

If a matter has been under advisement for more than 30 days, each affected party is encouraged to send the Court a reminder letter identifying the matter and the date it was taken under advisement.

In the event the Court has under advisement any matter including, but not limited to, a motion or decision in a bench trial for a period of more than thirty (30) days, each party affected thereby is encouraged to send to the Court a reminder letter particularly describing the matter under advisement and stating the date the matter was taken under advisement.