Rule 20.Minutes Read and Signed
Last verified June 28, 2026
Full Text of Rule 20
Plain-English Summary
Rule 20 governs the formal record of a court session. On the session's last day, the judge reads the minutes, corrects them, and signs them in open court. A special judge signs the minutes for the proceedings that judge conducted.
The rule traces back to the older term system and rarely comes up in modern practice, but it remains the rule on who signs the minutes and when.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who signs the court's minutes under Rule 20?
The judge, in open court on the last day of the session. A special judge signs the minutes for the proceedings that judge held.
When does the judge read and sign the minutes?
On the last day of the court's session, in open court. Rule 20 ties the reading, correcting, and signing together as one step at the close of the session, not as an ongoing task.
Why does a special judge sign separate minutes?
Because Rule 20 ties the signature to the proceedings a judge heard. A special judge signs only the minutes for the case or hearing that judge conducted, while the presiding judge signs the rest.