Rule 5.050.Oral Argument on Motions in Civil Cases; Appearance at Nonevidentiary Hearings and Motions by Remote Means

Current through August 1, 2026 · Last verified September 12, 2026

In one sentenceUTCR 5.050 lets a party ask for oral argument in the caption of a motion or response and ask that a nonevidentiary hearing be held by remote means, and it tells the court when it must allow argument and grant the remote request.

Full Text of Rule 5.050

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(1) Oral argument may be requested by the moving party in the caption of the motion or by a responding party in the caption of a response. The first paragraph of the motion or response must include an estimate of the time required for argument and a statement whether official court reporting services are requested. The court must allow oral argument unless the court receives documents which resolve the pending motion before the time set for hearing.

(2) A party may request that a nonevidentiary hearing or a motion not requiring testimony be heard by remote means.

(a) A request for a nonevidentiary hearing or oral argument by remote means must be set out in the caption of the pleading, motion, response, or other initiating document.

(b) If appearance or argument by remote means is requested, the first paragraph of the pleading, motion, response, or other initiating document must include the names, email addresses, and telephone numbers of all parties served with the request. The request must be granted.

(c) If the mode of hearing is by conference call, the first party requesting conference call must initiate the conference call at its expense unless the court directs otherwise.

(3) When recording is requested, a remote proceeding must be recorded by the court if suitable equipment is available; otherwise, it will be provided at the expense of the party requesting recording.

(4) Subsection (2) does not apply if an applicable Chief Justice Order (CJO) or Presiding Judge Order (PJO) issued pursuant to such a CJO has the effect of suspending the requirement that a party affirmatively request a hearing by remote means.

End

Plain-English Summary

Oral argument on a civil motion is requested, not scheduled by default. The moving party asks in the caption of the motion; a responding party asks in the caption of the response. Whoever asks must also put an estimate of the time argument will take, and a statement whether official court reporting services are requested, in the first paragraph of that document.

Once argument is requested the court must allow it. The rule lets the court dispense with argument only when it receives documents that resolve the pending motion before the time set for hearing. Short of that, a party who asks gets heard.

Remote appearance follows a similar route with a firmer guarantee. A party may ask that a nonevidentiary hearing, or a motion that does not require testimony, be heard by remote means. The request goes in the caption of the pleading, motion, response, or other initiating document, and the first paragraph must carry the names, email addresses, and telephone numbers of all parties served with the request. The rule then says the request must be granted.

Cost follows the request. If the hearing proceeds by conference call, the first party to request the call initiates it at its own expense unless the court directs otherwise. If recording is requested, the court records the remote proceeding when suitable equipment is available; when it is not, the party asking for the recording pays for it. The remote request provision also steps aside when a Chief Justice Order, or a Presiding Judge Order issued under one, suspends the requirement that a party affirmatively ask for a remote hearing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I request oral argument on a motion in Oregon?

Put the request in the caption of the motion if you are the moving party, or in the caption of your response if you are opposing. In the first paragraph, estimate how long argument will take and state whether you are requesting official court reporting services.

Can the court refuse oral argument once I have asked for it?

The rule says the court must allow oral argument, with an exception: if documents arrive that resolve the pending motion before the time set for hearing, the argument does not go forward. A settlement, a withdrawal, or a stipulation can end the hearing that way.

Can I appear remotely for a motion hearing?

You can ask, and for a nonevidentiary hearing or a motion that does not require testimony the rule says the request must be granted. Put the request in the caption and list the names, email addresses, and telephone numbers of all parties served with it in the first paragraph.

Who pays for a conference call or a recording of a remote hearing?

If the hearing is by conference call, the first party requesting it initiates the call at its own expense unless the court directs otherwise. If recording is requested, the court records the proceeding when it has suitable equipment; otherwise the recording is provided at the expense of the party who asked for it.

Why does this rule mention a Chief Justice Order?

Because a Chief Justice Order, or a Presiding Judge Order issued under one, can suspend the requirement that a party affirmatively request a remote hearing. While such an order is in effect, the request provisions of this rule do not apply, and remote appearance is governed by the order instead.

Source & verification. The rule text is reproduced verbatim from the official Oregon Uniform Trial Court Rules (UTCR 5.050). Prescribed by the Chief Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court (UTCR 1.020). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified September 12, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: request oral argument oregon motionUTCR 5.050remote hearing oregon circuit courtappear by remote means oregon hearingofficial court reporting services requestconference call hearing oregon