Division IX: Trial and Judgment · Last amended February 15, 2002 · Last verified July 15, 2026
In one sentenceRule 1.907 lets the court assign a civil case for trial by order following a scheduling or trial-setting conference, the parties' agreement, or the court's own motion after consulting counsel, and separately requires small claims appeals to reach a judge within roughly a month for decision on the record unless a party timely requests oral argument.
1.907(1)Civil cases. The court, in the exercise of its discretion, may assign a case for trial by order upon any one of the following:
a.The conclusion of a scheduling or pretrial conference.
b.The conclusion of a trial-setting conference.
c.The agreement of all parties or their counsel.
d.The court's own motion after consultation with counsel for all parties. Trial of a dissolution of marriage or a small claim may be set without consulting counsel subject to rescheduling by the court administrator upon the request of counsel in the event of a scheduling conflict. The court may delegate its power and duty to assign cases for trial to the court administrator or other suitable person.
(2)Small claims appeals. At least twice each month, the clerk of court shall present to a judge authorized by statute to hear the appeal, the file and any transcript or exhibits in each small claims case in which appeal was taken more than 20 days previously. The appeal shall be decided upon the record without oral argument unless, within 20 days after the appeal was taken, a party filed with the clerk of court a written request for oral argument specifying the issues to be argued, in which event the judge may schedule oral argument. Additional evidence shall not be received except as authorized by statute.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 1.907(1) gives the court several routes to assigning a civil case for trial: the conclusion of a scheduling or pretrial conference, the conclusion of a trial-setting conference, the agreement of all parties or their counsel, or the court's own motion after consulting counsel for every party. Dissolution of marriage and small claims cases get a shortcut — those can be set for trial without consulting counsel first, though the court administrator can reschedule on request if that creates a conflict. The court can also delegate its trial-assignment power to the court administrator or another suitable person.
Rule 1.907(2) turns to a different track: appeals from small claims cases. At least twice a month, the clerk has to present the file, along with any transcript or exhibits, to a judge authorized to hear the appeal, for every small claims appeal filed more than 20 days earlier.
Those appeals are decided on the record, without oral argument, unless a party files a written request within 20 days of taking the appeal that specifies the issues to be argued — only then may the judge schedule argument. And the appellate judge does not take new evidence beyond what is authorized by statute; the appeal proceeds on what the trial-level record already contains.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a civil case get assigned a trial date under Rule 1.907?
The court can assign it by order at the conclusion of a scheduling or pretrial conference, at the conclusion of a trial-setting conference, by agreement of all parties or their counsel, or on the court's own motion after consulting counsel for all parties.
Do dissolution of marriage and small claims cases follow the same trial-assignment process?
Not entirely. Rule 1.907(1) allows those cases to be set for trial without first consulting counsel, though the court administrator can reschedule at counsel's request if there is a scheduling conflict.
How quickly does a small claims appeal get in front of a judge?
Rule 1.907(2) requires the clerk, at least twice a month, to present the file, transcript, and exhibits to an authorized judge for every small claims appeal filed more than 20 days earlier.
Do I get oral argument on a small claims appeal?
Only if you ask. Rule 1.907(2) decides these appeals on the record without oral argument unless a party files a written request within 20 days of taking the appeal, specifying the issues to be argued.
Can new evidence come in during a small claims appeal?
Generally no. Rule 1.907(2) states that additional evidence is not received except as authorized by statute, so the appeal proceeds on the existing record.
Source & verification. Rule text and the Comment are
reproduced verbatim from the Iowa Rules of Civil Procedure, adopted by the
Iowa Supreme Court. Last verified July 15, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as:iowa trial assignment ordersmall claims appeal procedure iowarule 1.907 iowarequesting oral argument small claims appeal