Rule 83.Rules by District Courts

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

In one sentenceRule 83 authorizes each district court to adopt and amend its own local rules of practice — consistent with these rules and other supreme-court rules — and to regulate practice in matters not otherwise provided for.

Full Text of Rule 83

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Each district court, upon agreement of the judges or a majority thereof, may from time to time make and amend rules governing its practice not inconsistent with these rules or other rules prescribed by the supreme court. Copies of rules and amendments so made by any district court shall upon their promulgation be furnished to the supreme court of this state. In all cases not provided for by rule, the district courts may regulate their practice in any manner not inconsistent with these rules.

End

Plain-English Summary

Statewide rules can't anticipate every local need, so Rule 83 lets each district court fill the gaps. Upon agreement of a majority of its judges, a district court may make and amend local rules governing its practice, so long as they are not inconsistent with these rules or other supreme-court rules. Copies of local rules must be furnished to the Supreme Court, and in cases not provided for by rule, a district court may regulate its practice in any consistent manner. This is why practitioners must always check the local rules of the particular district.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can individual Montana courts have their own rules?

Yes. Each district court may adopt and amend local rules of practice, as long as they are consistent with these rules and other supreme-court rules, and must furnish copies to the Supreme Court.

How does a district court adopt a local rule?

Upon agreement of its judges, or a majority of them. Local rules and amendments must then be furnished to the Supreme Court once promulgated.

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: local rulesdistrict court ruleslocal practice rules