Montana Rules of Civil Procedure

Rule 30. Depositions by Oral Examination.

(2) Sanction. The court may impose an appropriate sanction -- including the reasonable expenses and attorney fees incurred by any party -- on a person who impedes, delays, or frustrates the fair examination of the deponent. (3) Motion to Terminate or Limit. (A) Grounds. At any time during a deposition, the deponent or a party may move to terminate or limit it on the ground that it is being conducted in bad faith or in a manner that unreasonably annoys, embarrasses, or oppresses the deponent or party. The motion may be filed in the court where the action is pending or the deposition is being taken. If the objecting deponent or party so demands, the deposition must be suspended for the time necessary to obtain an order. (B) Order. The court may order that the deposition be terminated or may limit its scope and manner as provided in Rule 26(c). If terminated, the deposition may be resumed only by order of the court where the action is pending. (C) Award of Expenses. Rule 37(a)(5) applies to the award of expenses. (e) Review by the Witness; Changes. (1) Review; Statement of Changes. On request by the deponent or a party before the deposition is completed, the deponent must be allowed 30 days after being notified by the officer that the transcript or recording is available in which: (A) to review the transcript or recording; and (B) if there are changes in form or substance, to sign a statement listing the changes and the reasons for making them. (2) Changes Indicated in the Officer’s Certificate. The officer must note in the certificate prescribed by Rule 30(f)(1) whether a review was requested and, if so, must attach any changes the deponent makes during the 30-day period. (f) Certification and Delivery; Exhibits; Copies of the Transcript or Recording; Filing. (1) Certification and Delivery. The officer must certify in writing that the witness was duly sworn and that the deposition accurately records the witness’s testimony. The certificate must accompany the record of the deposition. Unless the court orders otherwise, the officer must seal the deposition in an envelope or package bearing the title of the action and marked “Deposition of [witness’s name]” and must promptly send it to the attorney who arranged for the transcript or recording. The attorney must store it under conditions that will protect it against loss, destruction, tampering, or deterioration.

Civil proceedings in Montana District Courts. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule.

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Rule 16. Pretrial Conferences; Scheduling; Management.

(D) avoiding unnecessary proof and cumulative evidence, and limiting the use of testimony under M. R. Evid. 702; (E) determining the appropriateness and timing of summary adjudication under Rule 56; (F) controlling and scheduling discovery, including orders affecting disclosures and discovery under Rule 26 and Rules 29 through 37; (G) identifying witnesses and documents, scheduling the filing and exchange of any pretrial briefs, and setting dates for further conferences and for trial; (H) referring matters to a master; (I) settling the case and using special procedures to assist in resolving the dispute when authorized by statute or local rule; (J) determining the form and content of the pretrial order; (K) disposing of pending motions; (L) adopting special procedures for managing potentially difficult or protracted actions that may involve complex issues, multiple parties, difficult legal questions, or unusual proof problems; (M) ordering a separate trial under Rule 42(b) of a claim, counterclaim, crossclaim, third-party claim, or particular issue; (N) ordering the presentation of evidence early in the trial on a manageable issue that might, on the evidence, be the basis for a judgment as a matter of law under Rule 50(a) or a judgment on partial findings under Rule 52(c); (O) establishing a reasonable limit on the time allowed to present evidence; and (P) the time for submission of proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law in a non-jury action, or proposed instructions to the jury and the form of verdict in a jury action; and (Q) facilitating in other ways the just, speedy, and inexpensive disposition of the action. (d) Pretrial Orders. After any conference under this rule, the court should issue an order reciting the action taken. This order controls the course of the action unless the court modifies it. (e) Final Pretrial Conference and Orders. The court may hold a final pretrial conference to formulate a trial plan, including a plan to facilitate the admission of evidence. 38

Civil proceedings in Montana District Courts. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule.

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Rule 26. General Provisions Governing Discovery.

(G) requiring that a trade secret or other confidential research, development, or commercial information not be revealed or be revealed only in a specified way; and (H) requiring that the parties simultaneously file specified documents or information in sealed envelopes, to be opened as the court directs. (2) Ordering Discovery. If a motion for protective order is wholly or partly denied, the court may, on just terms, order that any party or person provide or permit discovery. (3) Awarding Expenses. Rule 37(a)(5) applies to the award of expenses. (d) Sequence and Timing of Discovery. Unless, on motion, the court orders otherwise for the parties’ and witnesses’ convenience and in the interests of justice: (1) methods of discovery may be used in any sequence; and (2) discovery by one party does not require any other party to delay its discovery. (e) Supplementing Responses. (1) In General. A party who has responded to an interrogatory, request for production, or request for admission must supplement or correct its response: (A) in a timely manner if the party learns that in some material respect the response is incomplete or incorrect, and if the additional or corrective information has not otherwise been made known to the other parties during the discovery process or in writing; or (B) as ordered by the court. (2) Expert witness. For an expert whose opinion is produced in response to an interrogatory served under Rule 26(b)(4), the party’s duty to supplement extends both to information included in the response and to information given during the expert’s deposition. Any additions or changes to this information must be disclosed by the time of the preparation and submission of the pretrial order to the court. (f) Discovery Conference. At any time after commencement of an action, the court may direct the attorneys for the parties to appear before it for a conference on the subject of discovery. The court shall do so upon motion by the attorney for any party if the motion includes: (1) a statement of the issues as they then appear; (2) a proposed plan and schedule of discovery; 56

Civil proceedings in Montana District Courts. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule.

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Rule 37. Failure to Make Discovery; Sanctions.

(4) Evasive or Incomplete Answer or Response. For purposes of this subdivision (a), an evasive or incomplete answer or response must be treated as a failure to answer or respond. (5) Payment of Expenses; Protective Orders. (A) If the Motion is Granted or Disclosure or Discovery is Provided After Filing. If the motion is granted -- or if the requested discovery is provided after the motion was filed -- the court must, after giving an opportunity to be heard, require the party or deponent whose conduct necessitated the motion, the party or attorney advising that conduct, or both to pay the movant’s reasonable expenses incurred in making the motion, including attorney fees. But the court must not order this payment if: (i) the movant filed the motion before attempting in good faith to obtain the discovery without court action; (ii) the opposing party’s response or objection was substantially justified; or (iii) other circumstances make an award of expenses unjust. (B) If the Motion is Denied. If the motion is denied, the court may issue any protective order authorized under Rule 26(c) and must, after giving an opportunity to be heard, require the movant, the attorney filing the motion, or both to pay the party or deponent who opposed the motion its reasonable expenses incurred in opposing the motion, including attorney fees. But the court must not order this payment if the motion was substantially justified or other circumstances make an award of expenses unjust. (C) If the Motion is Granted in Part and Denied in Part. If the motion is granted in part and denied in part, the court may issue any protective order authorized under Rule 26(c) and may, after giving an opportunity to be heard, apportion the reasonable expenses for the motion. (b) Failure to Comply With a Court Order. (1) Sanctions in the District Where the Deposition is Taken. If the court where the discovery is taken orders a deponent to be sworn or to answer a question and the deponent fails to obey, the failure may be treated as contempt of court. (2) Sanctions by the Court Where the Action is Pending. (A) For not Obeying a Discovery Order. If a party or a party’s officer, director, or managing agent -- or a witness designated under Rule 30(b)(6) or 31(a)(4) -- fails to obey an order to provide or permit discovery, including an order under 78

Civil proceedings in Montana District Courts. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule.

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Rule 4. Persons Subject to Jurisdiction; Process; Service.

(4) The required affidavit of service must state the time, date, place, and manner of service. When service is by a person other than the sheriff or person designated by law, the affidavit must also state that the person serving is of legal age and knew the person served to be the person named in the papers served and the person intended to be served. (s) Procedure Where Not All Defendants Served. (1) If the summons is served on one or more, but not all, defendants, plaintiff may proceed to trial and judgment against the served defendant(s). (2) At any time thereafter, plaintiff may serve summons to cause the unserved defendant(s) to appear to show cause why the unserved defendant(s) should not be made a party to such judgment. The court must then hear and determine the matter in the same manner as if the unserved defendant(s) had been originally brought into court. The unserved defendant(s) must also be allowed the benefit of any payment or satisfaction made on the recovered judgment. (t) Time Limit for Issuance and Service of Process. (1) A plaintiff must accomplish service within three years after filing a complaint. Absent an appearance by defendant(s), the court, upon motion or on its own initiative, must dismiss an action without prejudice if the plaintiff fails to do so. (2) A plaintiff who names a fictitious defendant in the complaint pursuant to section 25-5-103 may, within three years of filing the original complaint, amend the complaint to substitute a real defendant for the fictitious defendant. The three-year time period set forth in Rule 4(t)(1) begins to run as to the newly identified defendant from the date of the filing of the original complaint.

Civil proceedings in Montana District Courts. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule.

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Rule 5. Serving and Filing Pleadings and other Papers.

Rule 16 conference, or the court orders filing: depositions or notices thereof, interrogatories, requests for documents or tangible things or to permit entry onto land, requests for admission, expert disclosure reports, and interrogatory answers. (2) How Filing Is Made -- In General. A paper is filed by delivering it: (A) to the clerk; or (B) to a judge who agrees to accept it for filing, and who must then note the filing date on the paper and promptly send it to the clerk. (3) Electronic Filing, Signing, or Verification. A court may, by local rule, allow papers to be filed, signed, or verified by electronic means, including facsimile, that are consistent with any technical standards established by the court or local rule. A paper filed by electronic means in compliance with a local rule is a written paper for purposes of these rules. (4) Acceptance by the Clerk. The clerk must not refuse to file a paper solely because it is not in the form prescribed by these rules or by a local rule or practice.

Civil proceedings in Montana District Courts. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule.

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Rule 27. Depositions to Perpetuate Testimony.

publication or otherwise. The court may appoint an attorney to represent persons not served in the manner provided in Rule 4 and to cross-examine the deponent if an unserved person is not otherwise represented. If any expected adverse party is a minor or is incompetent, Rule 17(c) applies. (3) Order and Examination. If satisfied that perpetuating the testimony may prevent a failure or delay of justice, the court must issue an order that designates or describes the persons whose depositions may be taken, specifies the subject matter of the examinations, and states whether the depositions will be taken orally or by written interrogatories. The depositions may then be taken under these rules, and the court may issue orders like those authorized by Rules 34 and 35. A reference in these rules to the court where an action is pending means, for purposes of this rule, the court where the petition for the deposition was filed. (4) Using the Deposition. A deposition to perpetuate testimony may be used under Rule 32(a) in any later-filed district court action involving the same subject matter. (b) Pending Appeal. (1) In General. The court where a judgment has been rendered may, if an appeal has been taken or may still be taken, permit a party to depose witnesses to perpetuate their testimony for use in the event of further proceedings in that court. (2) Motion. The party who wants to perpetuate testimony may move for leave to take the depositions, on the same notice and service as if the action were pending in the district court. The motion must show: (A) the name, address, and expected substance of the testimony of each deponent; and (B) the reasons for perpetuating the testimony. (3) Court Order. If the court finds that perpetuating the testimony may prevent a failure or delay of justice, the court may permit the depositions to be taken and may issue orders like those authorized by Rules 34 and 35. The depositions may be taken and used as any other deposition taken in a pending district court action. (c) Perpetuation by an Action. This rule does not limit a court’s power to entertain an action to perpetuate testimony.

Civil proceedings in Montana District Courts. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule.

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Rule 32. Using Depositions in Court Proceedings.

(6) Using Part of a Deposition. If a party offers in evidence only part of a deposition, an adverse party may require the offeror to introduce other parts that in fairness should be considered with the part introduced, and any party may itself introduce any other parts. (7) Substituting a Party. Substituting a party under Rule 25 does not affect the right to use a deposition previously taken. (8) Deposition Taken in an Earlier Action. A deposition lawfully taken and, if required, filed in any federal or state court action may be used in a later action involving the same subject matter between the same parties, or their representatives or successors in interest, to the same extent as if taken in the later action. A deposition previously taken may also be used as allowed by the Montana Rules of Evidence. (b) Objections to Admissibility. Subject to Rules 28(b) and 32(d)(3), an objection may be made at a hearing or trial to the admission of any deposition testimony that would be inadmissible if the witness were present and testifying. (c) Form of Presentation. Unless the court orders otherwise, a party must provide a transcript of any deposition testimony the party offers, but may provide the court with the testimony in nontranscript form as well. On any party’s request, deposition testimony offered in a jury trial for any purpose other than impeachment must be presented in nontranscript form, if available, unless the court for good cause orders otherwise. (d) Waiver of Objections. (1) To the Notice. An objection to an error or irregularity in a deposition notice is waived unless promptly served in writing on the party giving the notice. (2) To the Officer’s Qualifications. An objection based on disqualification of the officer before whom a deposition is to be taken is waived if not made: (A) before the deposition begins; or

Civil proceedings in Montana District Courts. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule.

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Rule 59. New Trial; Altering or Amending a Judgment.

(a) In General. (1) Grounds for New Trial. The court may, on motion, grant a new trial on all or some of the issues -- and to any party -- as follows: (A) after a jury trial, for any reason for which a new trial has heretofore been granted in an action at law in Montana state court; or (B) after a nonjury trial, for any reason for which a rehearing has heretofore been granted in a suit in equity in Montana state court. (2) Further Action after a Nonjury Trial. After a nonjury trial, the court may, on motion for a new trial, open the judgment if one has been entered, take additional testimony, amend findings of fact and conclusions of law or make new ones, and direct the entry of a new judgment. (b) Time to File a Motion for a New Trial. A motion for a new trial must be filed no later than 28 days after the entry of judgment. The motion for a new trial must set forth, in the heading of the motion and under the cause number and department identification, the date which is 60 days from the date of the filing of the motion, and the date which is 120 days from the date of filing of the motion. (c) Time to Serve Affidavits. When a motion for a new trial is based on affidavits, they must be filed with the motion. The opposing party has 14 days after being served to file opposing affidavits. The court may permit reply affidavits. (d) New Trial on the Court’s Initiative or for Reasons not in the Motion. No later than 28 days after the entry of judgment, the court, on its own, may order a new trial for any reason that would justify granting one on a party’s motion. After giving the parties notice and an opportunity to be heard, the court may grant a timely motion for a new trial for a

Civil proceedings in Montana District Courts. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule.

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Rule 5.2. Privacy Protection for Filings Made With the Court.

(a) Redacted Filings. Unless the court orders or the law requires otherwise, in any filing with the court that contains an individual’s social security number, taxpayer identification number, or birth date, or a financial account number, a party or nonparty making the filing must include only: (1) the last four digits of the social security number or taxpayer identification number; (2) the year of the individual’s birth; and (3) the last four digits of the financial account number. (b) Exemptions from the Redaction Requirement. The redaction requirement does not apply to the following: (1) a financial account number that identifies the property allegedly subject to forfeiture in a forfeiture proceeding; (2) the record of an administrative or agency proceeding; (3) the record of a court or tribunal, if that record was not subject to the redaction requirement when originally filed; and (4) a filing covered by Rule 5.2(c). (c) Filings Made Under Seal. The court may order that a filing be made under seal without redaction. The court may later unseal the filing or order the person who made the filing to file a redacted version for the public record. (d) Protective Orders. For good cause, the court may by order in a case: (1) require redaction of additional information; (2) limit or prohibit a nonparty’s remote electronic access to a document filed with the court; or (3) provide other guidance regarding privacy and access consistent with the Rules for Privacy and Public Access to Court Records in Montana. (e) Option for Additional Unredacted Filing under Seal. A person making a redacted filing may also file an unredacted copy under seal. The court must retain the unredacted copy as part of the record.

Civil proceedings in Montana District Courts. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule.

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Rule 6. Computing and Extending Time; Time for Motion Papers.

(3) Inaccessibility of the Clerk’s Office. Unless the court orders otherwise, if the clerk’s office is inaccessible: (A) on the last day for filing under Rule 6(a)(1), then the time for filing is extended to the first accessible day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday; or (B) during the last hour for filing under Rule 6(a)(2), then the time for filing is extended to the same time on the first accessible day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. (4) “Last Day” Defined. Unless a different time is set by a statute or court order, the last day ends: (A) for electronic filing, at midnight in the court’s time zone; and (B) for filing by other means, when the clerk’s office is scheduled to close. (5) “Next Day” Defined. The “next day” is determined by continuing to count forward when the period is measured after an event and backward when measured before an event. (6) “Legal Holiday” Defined. “Legal holiday” means: (A) the day set aside by statute for observing New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Lincoln’s and Washington’s Birthdays, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans’ Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, or state general election day; (B) any day declared a holiday by the President of the United States or by the Governor of this state; and (C) for periods that are measured after an event, any other day declared a holiday by the state. (b) Extending Time. (1) In General. When an act may or must be done within a specified time, the court may, for good cause, extend the time: (A) with or without motion or notice if the court acts, or if a request is made, before the original time or its extension expires; or (B) on motion made after the time has expired if the party failed to act because of excusable neglect. (2) Exceptions. The court must not extend the time to act under Rules 50(b) and (d), 52(b), 59(b), (d), and (e), and 60(b). 22

Civil proceedings in Montana District Courts. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule.

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Rule 12. Defenses and Objections: When and How Presented; Motion for Judgment

(3), any other defenses presented must be decided by the court in the proper venue, and not by the court in which the action is commenced. (c) Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings. After the pleadings are closed -- but early enough not to delay trial -- a party may move for judgment on the pleadings. (d) Result of Presenting Matters outside the Pleadings. If, on a motion under Rule 12(b)(6) or 12(c), matters outside the pleadings are presented to and not excluded by the court, the motion must be treated as one for summary judgment under Rule 56. All parties must be given a reasonable opportunity to present all the material that is pertinent to the motion. (e) Motion for a More Definite Statement. A party may move for a more definite statement of a pleading to which a responsive pleading is allowed but which is so vague or ambiguous that the party cannot reasonably prepare a response. The motion must be made before filing a responsive pleading and must point out the defects complained of and the details desired. If the court orders a more definite statement and the order is not obeyed within 14 days after notice of the order or within the time the court sets, the court may strike the pleading or issue any other appropriate order. (f) Motion to Strike. The court may strike from a pleading an insufficient defense or any redundant, immaterial, impertinent, or scandalous matter. The court may act: (1) on its own; or (2) on motion made by a party either before responding to the pleading or, if a response is not allowed, within 21 days after being served with the pleading. (g) Joining Motions. (1) Right to Join. A motion under this rule may be joined with any other motion allowed by this rule. (2) Limitation on Further Motions. Except as provided in Rule 12(h)(2) or (3), a party that makes a motion under this rule must not make another motion under this rule raising a defense or objection that was available to the party but omitted from its earlier motion. (h) Waiving and Preserving Certain Defenses. (1) When Some Are Waived. A party waives any defense listed in Rule 12(b)(2)-(5) by: (A) omitting it from a motion in the circumstances described in Rule 12(g)(2); or

Civil proceedings in Montana District Courts. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule.

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Rule 28. Persons Before Whom Depositions May Be Taken.

commission must designate by name or descriptive title the person before whom the deposition is to be taken. (4) Letter of Request -- Admitting Evidence. Evidence obtained in response to a letter of request need not be excluded merely because it is not a verbatim transcript, because the testimony was not taken under oath, or because of any similar departure from the requirements for depositions taken within the state of Montana. (c) Interstate Depositions and Discovery. (1) Definitions. For purposes of this rule: (A) “Foreign jurisdiction” means a state other than Montana; (B) “Foreign subpoena” means a subpoena issued under authority of a court of record of a foreign jurisdiction; (C) “Person” means an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, public corporation, government, or governmental subdivision, agency or instrumentality, or any other legal or commercial entity; (D) “State” means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States; and (E) “Subpoena” means a document, however denominated, issued under authority of a court of record requiring a person to: (i) attend and give testimony at a deposition; (ii) produce and permit inspection and copying of designated books, documents, records, electronically stored information, or tangible things in the possession, custody, or control of the person; or (iii) permit inspection of premises under the control of the person. (2) Issuance of a Subpoena. (A) To request issuance of a subpoena under this section, a party must submit a foreign subpoena to a clerk of court in the county in which discovery is sought to be conducted in Montana. A request for issuance of a subpoena under this act does not constitute an appearance in the courts of this state. (B) When a party submits a foreign subpoena to a clerk of court in this state, the clerk, in accordance with that court’s procedure, shall promptly issue a subpoena for service upon the person to which the foreign subpoena is directed. 61

Civil proceedings in Montana District Courts. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule.

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Rule 11. Signing Pleadings, Motions, and other Papers; Representations to the Court;

into court; or, if imposed on motion and warranted for effective deterrence, an order directing payment to the movant of part or all of the reasonable attorney fees and other expenses directly resulting from the violation. (5) Limitations on Monetary Sanctions. The court must not impose a monetary sanction: (A) against a represented party for violating Rule 11(b)(2); or (B) on its own, unless it issued the show-cause order under Rule 11(c)(3) before voluntary dismissal or settlement of the claims made by or against the party that is, or whose attorneys are, to be sanctioned. (6) Requirements for an Order. An order imposing a sanction must describe the sanctioned conduct and explain the basis for the sanction. (d) Inapplicability to Discovery. This rule does not apply to disclosures and discovery requests, responses, objections, and motions under Rules 26 through 37. (e) Limited Scope Representation. An attorney may help to draft a pleading, motion, or document filed by an otherwise self-represented person, and the attorney need not sign that pleading, motion, or document. The attorney in providing such drafting assistance may rely on the otherwise self-represented person’s representation of facts, unless the attorney has reason to believe that such representations are false or materially insufficient, in which instance the attorney shall make an independent reasonable inquiry into the facts.

Civil proceedings in Montana District Courts. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule.

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Rule 31. Depositions by Written Questions.

(2) With Leave. A party must obtain leave of court, and the court must grant leave to the extent consistent with Rule 26(b)(2): (A) if the parties have not stipulated to the deposition and: (i) the deposition would result in more than 10 depositions being taken under this rule or Rule 30 by the plaintiffs, or by the defendants, or by the third-party defendants; (ii) the deponent already has been deposed in the case; or (B) if the deponent is confined in prison. (3) Service; Required Notice. A party who wants to depose a person by written questions must serve them on every other party, with a notice stating, if known, the deponent’s name and address. If the name is unknown, the notice must provide a general description sufficient to identify the person or the particular class or group to which the person belongs. The notice must also state the name or descriptive title and the address of the officer before whom the deposition will be taken. (4) Questions Directed to an Organization. A public or private corporation, a partnership, an association, or a governmental agency may be deposed by written questions in accordance with Rule 30(b)(6). (5) Questions from Other Parties. Any questions to the deponent from other parties must be served on all parties as follows: cross-questions, within 14 days after being served with the notice and direct questions; redirect questions, within 7 days after being served with cross-questions; and recross-questions, within 7 days after being served with redirect questions. The court may, for good cause, extend or shorten these times. (b) Delivery to the Officer; Officer’s Duties. The party who noticed the deposition must deliver to the officer a copy of all the questions served and of the notice. The officer must promptly proceed in the manner provided in Rule 30(c), (e), and (f) to: (1) take the deponent’s testimony in response to the questions; (2) prepare and certify the deposition; and (3) send it to the party, attaching a copy of the questions and of the notice. (c) Notice of Completion or Filing. (1) Completion. The party who noticed the deposition must notify all other parties when it is completed.

Civil proceedings in Montana District Courts. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule.

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Rule 34. Producing Documents, Electronically-Stored Information, and Tangible

(a) In General. A party may serve on any other party a request within the scope of Rule 26(b): (1) to produce and permit the requesting party or its representative to inspect, copy, test, or sample the following items in the responding party’s possession, custody, or control: (A) any designated documents or electronically-stored information -- including writings, drawings, graphs, charts, photographs, sound recordings, images, and other data or data compilations -- stored in any medium from which information can be obtained either directly or, if necessary, after translation by the responding party into a reasonably usable form; or (B) any designated tangible things; or (2) to permit entry onto designated land or other property possessed or controlled by the responding party, so that the requesting party may inspect, measure, survey, photograph, test, or sample the property or any designated object or operation on it. (b) Procedure. (1) Contents of the Request. The request: (A) must describe with reasonable particularity each item or category of items to be inspected; (B) must specify a reasonable time, place, and manner for the inspection and for performing the related acts; and (C) may specify the form or forms in which electronically-stored information is to be produced. (2) Responses and Objections. (A) Time to Respond. The party to whom the request is directed must respond in writing within 30 days after being served, except that a defendant may serve a response within 45 days after service of the summons and complaint upon that defendant. A shorter or longer time may be stipulated to under Rule 29 or be ordered by the court. (B) Responding to Each Item. For each item or category, the response must either state that inspection and related activities will be permitted as requested or state an objection to the request, including the reasons. (C) Objections. An objection to part of a request must specify the part and permit inspection of the rest.

Civil proceedings in Montana District Courts. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule.

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Rule 50. Judgment as a Matter of Law in a Jury Trial; Related Motion for a New

(d) Time for a Losing Party’s New-Trial Motion. Any motion for a new trial under Rule 59 by a party against whom judgment as a matter of law is rendered must be filed no later than 28 days after the entry of the judgment. (e) Denying the Motion for Judgment as a Matter of Law; Reversal on Appeal. If the court denies the motion for judgment as a matter of law, the prevailing party may, as appellee, assert grounds entitling it to a new trial should the appellate court conclude that the trial court erred in denying the motion. If the appellate court reverses the judgment, it may order a new trial, direct the trial court to determine whether a new trial should be granted, or direct the entry of judgment.

Civil proceedings in Montana District Courts. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule.

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Rule 7. Pleadings Allowed; Form of Motions and Other Papers.

(a) Pleadings. Only these pleadings are allowed: (1) a complaint; (2) an answer to a complaint; (3) an answer to a counterclaim designated as a counterclaim; (4) an answer to a crossclaim; (5) a third-party complaint; (6) an answer to a third-party complaint; and (7) if the court orders one, a reply to an answer. (b) Motions and Other Papers. (1) In General. A request for a court order must be made by motion. The motion must: (A) be in writing unless made during a hearing or trial;

Civil proceedings in Montana District Courts. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule.

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Rule 39. Trial by Jury or by the Court.

(a) When a Demand is Made. When a jury trial has been demanded under Rule 38, the action must be designated on the docket as a jury action. The trial on all issues so demanded must be by jury unless: (1) the parties or their attorneys file a stipulation to a nonjury trial or so stipulate on the record; or (2) the court, on motion or on its own, finds that on some or all of those issues there is no right to a jury trial. (b) When no Demand is Made. Issues on which a jury trial is not properly demanded are to be tried by the court. But the court may, on motion, order a jury trial on any issue for which a jury might have been demanded. (c) Advisory Jury; Jury Trial by Consent. In an action not triable of right by a jury, the court, on motion or on its own: (1) may try any issue with an advisory jury; or (2) may, with the parties’ consent, try any issue by a jury whose verdict has the same effect as if a jury trial had been a matter of right.

Civil proceedings in Montana District Courts. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule.

Source page 83

Rule 51. Instructions to the Jury; Objections; Preserving a Claim of Error.

(a) Requests. (1) Before or at the Close of the Evidence. At the close of the evidence or at any earlier reasonable time that the court orders, a party may file and furnish to every other party written requests for the jury instructions it wants the court to give. (2) After the Close of the Evidence. After the close of the evidence, a party may: (A) file requests for instructions on issues that could not reasonably have been anticipated by an earlier time that the court set for requests; and (B) with the court’s permission, file untimely requests for instructions on any issue. (b) Instructions. The court: (1) must inform the parties of its proposed instructions and proposed action on the requests before instructing the jury and before final jury arguments; (2) must give the parties an opportunity to object on the record and out of the jury’s hearing before the instructions and arguments are delivered; and (3) may instruct the jury at any time before the jury is discharged. (c) Objections. (1) How to Make. A party who objects to an instruction or the failure to give an instruction must do so on the record, stating distinctly the matter objected to and the grounds for the objection. (2) When to Make. An objection is timely if:

Civil proceedings in Montana District Courts. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule.

Source page 96

Rule 62.1. Indicative Rule on a Motion for Relief that is Barred by a Pending Appeal.

(a) Relief Pending Appeal. If a timely motion is made for relief that the court lacks authority to grant because of an appeal that has been docketed and is pending, the court may: (1) defer considering the motion; (2) deny the motion; or (3) state either that it would grant the motion if the supreme court remands for that purpose or that the motion raises a substantial issue. (b) Notice to the Supreme Court. The movant must promptly notify the supreme court clerk if the district court states that it would grant the motion or that the motion raises a substantial issue. (c) Remand. The district court may decide the motion if the supreme court remands for that purpose.

Civil proceedings in Montana District Courts. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule.

Source page 111

Rule 42. Consolidation; Separate Trials.

counterclaims, or third-party claims. When ordering a separate trial, the court must preserve any statutory or constitutional right to a jury trial.

Civil proceedings in Montana District Courts. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule.

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