Rule 1-058.Orders and judgments; preparation and entry

Last verified June 26, 2026

In one sentenceRule 1-058 governs how orders and judgments are prepared after the court announces its decision and provides that filing the signed order constitutes its entry.

Full Text of Rule 1-058

Text sizeJump to: (A) (B) (C) (D)

A. Preparation of orders and judgments. Upon announcement of the court's decision in any matter the court shall:

(1) allow counsel a reasonable time, fixed by the court, within which to submit the requested form of order or judgment;

(2) designate the counsel who shall be responsible for preparation of the order or judgment and fix the time within which it is to be submitted; or

(3) prepare its own form of order or judgment.

B. Time limit. If no satisfactory form of order or judgment has been submitted within the time fixed by the court, the court shall take such steps as it may deem proper to have an appropriate form of order or judgment entered promptly.

C. Examination by counsel. In all events, before the court signs any order or judgment, counsel shall be afforded a reasonable opportunity to examine the same and make suggestions or objections.

D. Filing. Upon the signing of any order or judgment it shall be filed promptly in the clerk's office and such filing constitutes entry thereof.

End

Plain-English Summary

This rule sets the mechanics of getting a decision on paper. When the court announces its decision, it may give counsel a fixed time to submit a proposed form of order or judgment, designate which counsel prepares it, or prepare its own. If no satisfactory form is submitted in time, the court takes steps to have an appropriate form entered promptly.

Before signing any order or judgment, the court must give counsel a reasonable chance to examine it and make suggestions or objections. Once signed, the order or judgment is filed promptly in the clerk’s office, and that filing constitutes its entry.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is a judgment considered “entered”?

When the signed order or judgment is filed in the clerk’s office—that filing constitutes entry.

Can counsel review a proposed order before it is signed?

Yes. Before the court signs any order or judgment, counsel must be afforded a reasonable opportunity to examine it and make suggestions or objections.

Source & verification. Rule text and Committee commentary reproduced verbatim from the New Mexico Rules of Civil Procedure for the District Courts (Rule 1-058 NMRA), published by the New Mexico Compilation Commission (NMOneSource). Promulgated by the Supreme Court of New Mexico. The plain-English summary is original and draws on the official annotations. Last verified June 26, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: preparation of judgmentsentry of judgmentform of orderfiling constitutes entry