In all actions referred to a referee by the district or superior court, with directions to make findings of fact and conclusions of law and to report the evidence to the court, the referee must file a written report of his findings of fact and conclusions of law and the transcript of the testimony with the clerk of the court.
§ 620.Reference By District Or Superior Court - Report and Transcript - Filing
Chapter 11: Trial · Last amended April 25, 1941 · Last verified August 3, 2026
In one sentenceSection 620 requires a referee in an action referred by the district or superior court, with instructions to find facts, state conclusions of law, and report the evidence, to file a written report and the transcript of testimony with the court clerk.
Full Text of § 620
Amendment History
Laws 1941, HB 228, p. 35, § 1, emerg. eff. 4/25/1941.
Plain-English Summary
This 1941 provision layers a more specific filing duty onto the general reference scheme in Sections 611 through 619. When a district or superior court refers an action with directions to make findings of fact, state conclusions of law, and report the evidence, the referee must file two things with the clerk: a written report covering those findings and conclusions, and the transcript of the testimony taken.
The mention of a superior court is a historical holdover. Oklahoma's 1967-1969 judicial reform folded the state's separate superior courts into the district courts, so this reference procedure now runs through the district courts alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What must a referee file after a district court reference?
A written report of the referee's findings of fact and conclusions of law, plus a transcript of the testimony taken, both filed with the clerk of the court.
What is a superior court in this context?
A trial court Oklahoma once operated alongside the district courts; the 1967-1969 judicial reform abolished superior courts and transferred their functions to the district courts.
Does this section apply to every reference, or only some?
It applies to references where the court directed the referee to make findings of fact and conclusions of law and to report the evidence taken.
How does this section relate to Section 614's referee report rules?
Section 614 states the general rule that a referee's report on the whole issue stands as the court's decision; Section 620 adds a specific filing requirement, a written report and transcript, for referrals from the district or superior court.
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
Title 12 of the Oklahoma Statutes, enacted by the Oklahoma Legislature.
Last verified August 3, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: Oklahoma referee report transcript filing12 O.S. § 620superior court reference Oklahomareferee findings and transcript filed with clerk