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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is a Docket? How do I obtain copies of a Docket?

    Dockets are a "snapshot" of the case file. The docket lists each party, and the attorneys of record. A brief summary of each document is listed, along with the date it was filed and the court record number assigned to the document.

    To obtain a copy of the docket sheet, please submit a Copywork Request Form to the Clerk's office indicating the case name and case number of the docket sheet you would like a copy of. Cost is $.50 per page. Dockets may be remotely accessed by use of the PACER system.

  • How do I obtain a copy of a transcript?

    Please visit the court's Court Reporters/Transcripts webpage for information about how to request a transcript.

  • How do I obtain a copy of an Opinion (also known as a Memorandum Decision)?

    Memorandum Decisions may be downloaded from PACER at no charge. They can be found under Reports > Written Opinions Report. There is no charge for downloading opinions from PACER.

    Also, copies of opinions or other documents in a case may be obtained at the Clerk's Office and are $.50 per page and payment is requested in advance. To obtain copies, please submit a Copywork Request Form to the Clerk's office indicating the case number, case name and the court record number.

    For additional options and complete information, visit the How to Obtain Copies of Court Documents page. If you need further assistance, please call the Intake Office at (801) 524-6100.

  • What are the current witness fees?

    Witness fees are currently $40.00 per day and $ 0.65  per mile (round-trip) (As of 01/01/2024).

    The following is information about the financial aspects regarding witnesses. Under 28 U.S.C. § 1821, a $40 per day attendance fee is established for a witness in a court of the United States. It also entitles a witness to reimbursement of travel and subsistence expenses in the same amounts payable to a federal government employee for official travel. You may view the complete statute at https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/28/1821.

    In addition to the attendance fee, a witness is also entitled to receive compensation for their travel. Title 5 U.S.C. § 5704 authorizes a mileage fee equal to the mileage allowance which the Administrator of General Services has prescribed. Current mileage rates can be obtained from the United States General Services Administration website at https://www.gsa.gov/mileage. In addition to mileage, a witness is also entitled to reimbursement of any parking fees incurred.

  • How do I amend a Scheduling Order?

    For answers to this question, please visit the Civil Case Scheduling and Discovery Plan webpage.

     

  • How do I submit (or file) my Attorney Planning Meeting Report and Scheduling Order?

    For answers to this question, please visit the Civil Case Scheduling and Discovery Plan webpage.

  • How do you serve subpoenas for a deposition or for documents in another state when the case is pending here?

    Attorneys who are practicing before this court are empowered by Rule 45 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to issue subpoenas for depositions or documents in any other federal court district.  The standard subpoena form should be used and will contain the Utah heading and case number.  The attorney will serve the necessary notices when issuing a subpoena.
    When the return of service is made, the attorney holds the return. It is not filed in the Utah file.
    If further proceedings, such as a notice of appeal, a motion to compel or motion to quash are filed, the attorney must open a miscellaneous case in the other district in order to litigate the validity of the subpoena.

  • Who issues subpoenas in a civil case?

    Attorneys may issue subpoenas in civil cases. The clerk may issue subpoenas for non attorney pro se litigants.

  • Who issues summons in a civil case?

    The court issues a summons in a civil case. For additional information about a summons, please visit the Initiating a New Civil Case webpage.

  • What is the procedure for filing disclosures?

    Under the DUCivR 26-1, certain disclosures and discovery documents are not filed with the court unless required for specific purposes. This ensures only the necessary documents are filed with the court, while also maintaining compliance with the local rule. The following summarizes the filing requirements:

    1. Disclosures under Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(a)(1) and (2):
      • These disclosures (such as initial disclosures and expert disclosures) are not filed with the court at the time they are made. However, they may be filed later if they are used in connection with a hearing, trial, or as an exhibit to a motion, response, or reply.
    2. Notice of Deposition under Fed. R. Civ. P. 30(b):
      • Notices of deposition do not need to be filed with the court unless they are submitted for a hearing, trial, or motion-related purpose.
    3. Discovery Requests or Responses under Fed. R. Civ. P. 33, 34, or 36:
      • Discovery requests (interrogatories, requests for production, or requests for admission) and responses are not filed with the court at the time they are served. Like other discovery documents, they may be filed later if they are relevant for hearings, trials, or motions.
    4. Certificates of Service for Discovery Requests or Responses:
      • Certificates of service confirming that discovery documents were served on opposing parties are not filed with the court at the time of service, except as needed in connection with hearings or motions.
    5. Designations of Experts:
      • Designations of expert witnesses must be filed with the court, as required by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

     

    Filing Exceptions:

    • Although these documents, with the exception of Designations of Experts, are not initially filed with the court, they can be filed for specific purposes, such as:
      • Use at hearings or trials.
      • As an exhibit to a motion, response, or reply.

    For additional guidance on the filing and service of disclosures and discovery documents, please refer to DUCivR 26-1 for more detailed rules and procedures.

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