Rule 54.Judgments; Costs

Enacted effective October 1, 2011 · Last verified June 26, 2026

In one sentenceRule 54 defines a judgment, governs entry of final judgment when a case involves multiple claims or parties, limits a default judgment to what was demanded, and sets the procedure for awarding costs and attorney fees.

Full Text of Rule 54

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b) (c) (d)

(a) Definition; Form. “Judgment” as used in these rules includes a decree and any order from which an appeal lies. A judgment should not include recitals of pleadings, a master’s report, or a record of prior proceedings.

(b) Judgment on Multiple Claims or Involving Multiple Parties.

(1) When an action presents more than one claim for relief -- whether as a claim, counterclaim, crossclaim, or third-party claim -- or when multiple parties are involved, the court may direct entry of a final judgment as to one or more, but fewer than all, claims or parties only if the court expressly determines that there is no just reason for delay. Otherwise, any order or other decision, however designated, that adjudicates fewer than all the claims or the rights and liabilities of fewer than all the parties does not end the action as to any of the claims or parties and may be revised at any time before the entry of a judgment adjudicating all the claims and all the parties’ rights and liabilities.

(2) Any order or other decision granted pursuant to Rule 54(b)(1) must comply with the certification of judgment requirements of Montana Rule of Appellate Procedure 6(6).

(c) Demand for Judgment; Relief to Be Granted. A default judgment must not differ in kind from, or exceed in amount, what is demanded in the pleadings. Every other final judgment should grant the relief to which each party is entitled, even if the party has not demanded that relief in its pleadings.

(d) Costs; Attorney Fees.

(1) Costs Other than Attorney Fees. Unless a Montana statute, these rules, or a court order provides otherwise, costs -- other than attorney fees -- should be allowed to the prevailing party. But costs against the State of Montana, its officers, its agencies, and its political subdivisions may be imposed only to the extent allowed by law. The clerk may tax costs on 14 days’ notice. On motion served within the next 7 days, the court may review the clerk’s action.

(2) Attorney Fees.

(A) Claim to Be by Motion. A claim for attorney fees and related nontaxable expenses must be made by motion unless the substantive law requires those fees to be proved at trial as an element of damages.

(B) Timing and Contents of the Motion. Unless a statute or a court order provides otherwise, the motion must:

(i) be filed no later than 14 days after the entry of judgment;

(ii) specify the judgment and the statute, rule, or other grounds entitling the movant to the award;

(iii) state the amount sought or provide a fair estimate of it; and

(iv) disclose, if the court so orders, the terms of any agreement about fees for the services for which the claim is made.

(C) Proceedings. Subject to Rule 23(h), the court must, on a party’s request, give an opportunity for adversary submissions on the motion in accordance with Rule 43(c). The court may decide issues of liability for fees before receiving submissions on the value of services. The court must find the facts and state its conclusions of law as provided in Rule 52(a).

(D) Special Procedures by Local Rule. By local rule, the court may establish special procedures to resolve fee-related issues without extensive evidentiary hearings. Also, the court may refer issues concerning the value of services to a special master under Rule 53 without regard to the limitations of Rule 53.

(E) Exceptions. Subparagraphs (A)-(D) do not apply to claims for fees and expenses as sanctions for violating these rules or as sanctions under section 37-61-421.

End

Plain-English Summary

Rule 54 ties together what a judgment is and what comes with it. A “judgment” includes a decree and any appealable order, and should be free of recitals of pleadings or prior proceedings.

In a case with multiple claims or parties, the court may enter final judgment on fewer than all of them only if it expressly determines there is no just reason for delay (a Rule 54(b) certification, which must meet the appellate-rule requirements). Otherwise, a partial ruling can be revised any time before a final judgment resolves everything. A default judgment may not exceed or differ in kind from what the pleadings demanded, while any other final judgment grants the relief a party is entitled to even if not demanded.

On costs and fees, costs other than attorney fees ordinarily go to the prevailing party (the clerk taxes them on 14 days' notice), with limits on costs against the State. A claim for attorney fees must usually be made by motion filed within 14 days after judgment, unless the substantive law makes fees an element of damages to be proved at trial.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can part of a multi-claim case be appealed before the rest is decided?

Only if the court enters final judgment on some claims or parties and expressly determines that there is no just reason for delay, under Rule 54(b).

Who pays the costs of a lawsuit?

Costs other than attorney fees are generally allowed to the prevailing party, unless a statute, these rules, or a court order provides otherwise.

How do I claim attorney fees?

Usually by motion filed no later than 14 days after entry of judgment, identifying the grounds and amount — unless the substantive law requires proving fees at trial as an element of damages.

Source & verification. Reproduced verbatim from the Montana Code Annotated as published by the State Law Library of Montana and the Montana Legislature. This rule has not been amended since its adoption. Adopted by the Supreme Court of Montana (AF 07-0157). Last verified June 26, 2026. · Official text

Also known as: costsattorney fees54(b)final judgmentprevailing party