§ 25-2704.Summons; pleadings; time for filings; trial date; telephonic or videoconference hearing; authorized.
Article 27: County Court Rules of Procedure and Probate Practice · Last amended 2018 · Last verified July 22, 2026
In one sentenceThis section applies district court timing for summons, pleadings, and filings to civil actions in county court, puts each case on the trial docket as soon as the pleadings close, and lets the court hold nonevidentiary and, with stipulation, evidentiary hearings — but never jury trials — by telephone or videoconference.
Full Text of § 25-2704
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(1) In any civil action in county court, the summons, pleadings, and time for filings shall be the same as provided for civil actions in district court. A case shall stand for trial at the earliest available time on the trial docket after the issues therein are or, according to the times fixed for pleading, should have been made up.
(2) All nonevidentiary hearings, and any evidentiary hearings approved by the county court and by stipulation of all parties that have filed an appearance, may be heard by the court telephonically or by videoconferencing or similar equipment at any location within the judicial district as ordered by the court and in a manner that ensures the preservation of an accurate record. Such hearings shall not include trials before a jury. Hearings conducted in this manner shall be consistent with the public's access to the courts.
Section 25-2704 ties county court civil practice to the same clock district courts use. The summons, the pleadings, and the time allowed for filings match what applies to civil actions in district court, and a case stands for trial at the earliest available time on the docket once the issues are made up, or once they should have been made up under the pleading deadlines.
The section also opens the door to remote hearings. Nonevidentiary hearings, and evidentiary hearings the county court approves with the stipulation of every party who has filed an appearance, may proceed by telephone, videoconference, or similar equipment at any location within the judicial district the court orders. Jury trials are off limits for this treatment. Whatever form a hearing takes, the court must preserve an accurate record and keep the proceeding consistent with the public’s access to the courts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does county court follow a different summons and pleading schedule than district court?
No. Section 25-2704 makes the summons, pleadings, and time for filings the same as those used for civil actions in district court.
When does a county court civil case get set for trial?
At the earliest available time on the trial docket after the issues are made up, or after they should have been made up under the pleading deadlines.
Can a county court hearing be held by phone or video?
Yes. Nonevidentiary hearings qualify without more, and evidentiary hearings qualify if the county court approves and every party who has filed an appearance stipulates.
Can a jury trial be conducted by telephone or videoconference?
No. The section excludes jury trials from this remote-hearing option.
Does holding a hearing remotely cut off public access to the proceeding?
No. The section requires that hearings held telephonically or by videoconference remain consistent with the public’s access to the courts.
What must the court preserve when it holds a hearing this way?
An accurate record of the proceeding, in a manner the court ensures.
Source & verification. Section text and the amendment-history citation are
reproduced verbatim from the Nebraska Legislature, Revisor of Statutes, enacted by the
Nebraska Legislature. Last verified July 22, 2026. ·
Official source
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