Rule 166: Time for Ruling on Motion; Matter Taken Under Advisement

(a)   Ruling on Motion. A judge of the district court must issue a ruling on a civil motion no later than 30 days after the motion’s final submission except for a ruling on a motion for summary judgment, which must be issued no later than 60 days after final submission.

(b)   Ruling on Other Civil Matter Taken Under Advisement. A judge of the district court who takes under advisement a civil matter other than a motion must issue a ruling on the matter no later than 90 days after the matter’s submission.

(c)   Reporting Requirement. If a judge of the district court fails to issue a ruling within the time required under subsection (a) or (b), the judge must—no later than 7 days after the expiration of the time period—file with the judicial administrator a written report stating the title of the case and case number, the nature of the matter taken under advisement, and the reason the judge has not entered a judgment, ruling, or decision. The judicial administrator may require supplemental reports until final disposition of the matter taken under advisement and must furnish copies of all reports received to the appropriate departmental justice.

[History: Am. effective December 11, 1980; Am. effective July 1, 2010; Restyled rule and amended effective July 1, 2012.]