(a) Definition; Form. “Judgment” as used in these rules includes a decree and any order from which an appeal lies. A judgment shall not contain a recital of pleadings, the report of a master, or the record of prior proceedings.
Rule 54.Judgment — Costs.
Current through February 2024 · Last verified July 8, 2026
In one sentenceRule 54 defines what counts as a judgment, controls when a partial ruling on one claim or party becomes final and appealable, caps default judgments at what was demanded, and sets out how costs are awarded and taxed to the prevailing party.
Full Text of Rule 54
(b) Judgment Upon Multiple Claims or Involving Multiple Parties. When more than one (1) claim for relief is presented in an action, whether as a claim, counterclaim, cross-claim, or third party claim, or when multiple parties are involved, the court may direct the entry of a final judgment as to one (1) or more but fewer than all of the claims or parties only upon an express determination that there is no just reason for delay and upon an express direction for the entry of judgment. In the absence of such determination and direction, any order or other form of decision, however designated, which adjudicates fewer than all the claims or the rights and liabilities of fewer than all the parties shall not terminate the action as to any of the claims or parties, and the order or other form of decision is subject to revision at any time before the entry of judgment adjudicating all the claims and the rights and liabilities of all the parties.
(c) Demand for Judgment. A judgment by default shall not be different in kind from or exceed in amount that prayed for in the demand for judgment. Except as to a party against whom a judgment is entered by default, every final judgment shall grant the relief to which the party in whose favor it is rendered is entitled even if the party has not demanded such relief in the party's pleadings.
(d) Costs. Costs (including costs on depositions as provided for in Rule 54(e)) shall be allowed as of course to the prevailing party as provided by statute and by these rules unless the court otherwise specifically directs. Costs may be taxed by the clerk upon ten (10) days' notice by the prevailing party. A copy of the bill of costs, specifying the items in detail, and a copy of any supporting affidavits shall be served with the notice. If no objection is filed, the clerk shall tax the costs in accordance with the law. If an objection is filed, said objection shall be heard by the court.
(e) Costs on Depositions. If objected to, the taxation of costs in the taking of depositions shall be subject to the discretion of the court. In case of such objection, no costs shall be allowed unless the court finds that the taking of the deposition was reasonably necessary, whether or not the deposition was actually used at the trial. Taxable costs may include the cost of service of subpoena upon the deponent, the reasonable fee of the officer before whom the deposition is taken, the fees and mileage allowances of witnesses, the stenographer's reasonable fee for attendance, and the cost of the transcript of the testimony or such part thereof as the court may fix.
Amendment History
Rhode Island does not publish a per-rule amendment history inside the compiled rules text reproduced here. The text above is verified current through the source’s own February 2024 printing; for the underlying adopting orders and any later amendments, see the Rhode Island Judiciary’s compiled rules page.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 54 defines a judgment broadly — it covers not just a final decree but any order a party can appeal — and keeps judgments clean by barring recitals of the pleadings, a master’s report, or the record of what happened earlier in the case.
Many cases involve more than one claim or more than one party, and Rule 54(b) tells the court how to handle a partial resolution. Deciding one claim or one party’s rights does not end the case and stays open to revision unless the court expressly finds no just reason for delay and expressly directs that judgment be entered on it. Absent that express finding, everything remains subject to change until every claim and every party’s rights and liabilities are resolved.
Rule 54(c) keeps default judgments narrow: a default judgment cannot be different in kind from or larger than what the demand for judgment asked for. Judgments that are not by default work the other way — the court grants the prevailing party the relief it is entitled to even if the pleadings never specifically asked for it.
The rest of Rule 54 covers costs. The prevailing party gets costs as of course under the applicable statute and these rules, unless the court directs otherwise. The clerk taxes costs on ten days’ notice, using an itemized bill and any supporting affidavits; if nobody objects, the clerk taxes the costs, and if someone does, the court hears the objection. Deposition costs get special treatment — if objected to, they are taxable only if the court finds the deposition was reasonably necessary, whether or not it was used at trial.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Rhode Island court enter a final, appealable judgment on just one claim while others are still pending?
Yes, but only if the court expressly finds there is no just reason for delay and expressly directs entry of judgment on that claim or as to that party. Without that express finding and direction, the ruling stays open to revision until the whole case is resolved.
Can a default judgment award more than what the complaint demanded?
No. Rule 54(c) caps a default judgment at the kind and amount of relief the demand for judgment asked for. Judgments that are not by default are not bound by that cap — the court can grant relief a party is entitled to even without an express demand.
How does the winning party recover its costs?
The prevailing party is entitled to costs as of course under the applicable statute and these rules unless the court says otherwise. The party gives ten days’ notice with an itemized bill of costs, and the clerk taxes them if nobody objects; if a party objects, the court decides.
Source & verification. The rule text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Rhode Island Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure (R.I. Super. Ct. R. Civ. P. 54). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Rhode Island (R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-6-2). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 8, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: RI Rule 54 judgmentcosts prevailing party rhode islandpartial final judgment rule 54(b)default judgment amount limittaxing costs civil casebill of costs rhode island