Every judgment and amended judgment must be set forth on a separate document as required in Rule 54(a). The filing of a judgment by the court as provided in Rule 5(d) or the placing of the clerk's filing stamp on the judgment constitutes the entry of the judgment, and the judgment is not effective before such entry. The entry of the judgment must not be delayed for the taxing of costs.
Rule 58.Entry of judgment
Title VII: Judgment · Last amended July 1, 2016 · Last verified July 14, 2026
In one sentenceRule 58 requires every judgment to appear on its own separate document and treats the clerk's filing of that document as the moment the judgment legally takes effect.
Full Text of Rule 58
Amendment History
(Adopted March 1, 2016, effective July 1, 2016.)
Plain-English Summary
A judgment is not just a ruling written into an opinion or order; it must stand on its own separate document. This separation matters because it marks a clear, unambiguous starting point for deadlines like appeals and post-trial motions. Without a distinct judgment document, parties could argue endlessly about when a case ended.
The rule pins down exactly when a judgment becomes effective: the moment the court files it, or the moment the clerk stamps it as filed. Before that entry, the judgment has no legal effect. And the rule refuses to let a delay in calculating costs hold up entry of the judgment itself, so the winning party does not have to wait on bookkeeping to get a final, appealable judgment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does a judgment need to be on a separate document?
Putting the judgment on its own document creates a clear, identifiable marker for when the case ended, which matters for calculating deadlines to appeal or to file post-trial motions.
When does a judgment officially take effect?
It takes effect when the court files it, or when the clerk stamps it as filed, whichever applies. Before that entry, the judgment is not effective.
Can taxing costs delay the entry of judgment?
No. The rule specifically says the entry of judgment must not be delayed for the taxing of costs, so the judgment can be entered while cost issues are still being sorted out.
Does an oral ruling from the bench count as entry of judgment?
No. Only the filed, separate judgment document, once stamped or filed by the court, constitutes entry. An oral ruling or a memorandum decision is not itself the judgment.
Why does the exact entry date matter so much?
Many other rules, including the deadlines for motions for new trial, motions to alter or amend, and appeals, run from the date of entry of judgment, so pinpointing that date accurately is essential.
Source & verification. Rule text
are reproduced verbatim from the Idaho Rules of Civil Procedure, adopted by the
Supreme Court of Idaho. Last verified July 14, 2026. ·
Official source
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