Montana Code Annotated 2023

TITLE 25. CIVIL PROCEDURE

CHAPTER 21. RULES OF APPELLATE PROCEDURE

Part 1. Rules

Stay Of Judgment Or Order Pending Appeal

Rule 22. Stay of judgment or order pending appeal.

(1) Motion for stay in the district court.

(a) A party shall file a motion in the district court for any of the following relief:

(i) To stay a judgment or order of the district court pending appeal;

(ii) For approval of a supersedeas bond; or

(iii) For an order suspending, modifying, restoring, or granting an injunction pending appeal.

(b) If the appellant desires a stay of execution, the appellant must, unless the requirement is waived by the opposing party, obtain the district court's approval of a supersedeas bond which shall have 2 sureties or a corporate surety as may be authorized by law. The bond shall be conditioned for the satisfaction of the judgment or order in full together with costs, interest, and damages for delay, if for any reason the appeal is dismissed or if the judgment or order is affirmed, and to satisfy in full such modification of the judgment or order and such costs, interest, and damages as the supreme court may adjudge and award. When the judgment or order is for the recovery of money not otherwise secured, the amount of the bond shall be fixed at such sum as will cover the whole amount of the judgment or order remaining unsatisfied, costs on appeal, interest, and damages for delay, unless the district court after notice and hearing and for good cause shown fixes a different amount or orders security other than the bond. When the judgment or order determines the disposition of property in controversy as in real actions, replevin, and actions to foreclose mortgages, or when such property is in the custody of the sheriff or when the proceeds of such property or a bond for its value is in the custody or control of the district court, the amount of the supersedeas bond shall be fixed at such sum only as will secure the amount recovered for the use and detention of the property, the costs of the action, costs on appeal, interest, and damages for delay.

(c) The district court retains the power to entertain and rule upon a motion filed pursuant to this rule despite the filing of a notice of appeal or the pendency of an appeal.

(d) The district court must promptly enter a written order on a motion filed under this rule and include in findings of fact and conclusions of law, or in a supporting rationale, the relevant facts and legal authority on which the district court's order is based. A copy of any order made after the filing of a notice of appeal must be promptly filed with the clerk of the supreme court.

(2) Motion in the supreme court.

(a) On the grant or denial of a motion for relief under section (1)(a) of this rule, a motion for relief from the district court order may be filed in the supreme court within 11 days of the date of entry of the district court order. The motion must:

(i) Demonstrate good cause for the relief requested, supported by affidavit;

(ii) Include copies of relevant documents from the record;

(iii) Include a copy of the district court's order issued pursuant to section (1)(d) of this rule; and

(iv) Not exceed 10 pages of text including the affidavit, but exclusive of the documents described in section (2)(a)(ii) and (iii) of this rule.

(b) Response or objection to motion.

(i) A response or objection to a motion filed under section (2) of this rule may be filed within 11 days of the filing of the motion.

(ii) The response or objection shall comply with section (2)(a)(i), (ii), and (iv) of this rule.

(3) In the interests of justice, the supreme court may grant, modify, or deny the relief requested under section (2) of this rule.

(4) Except in extraordinary circumstances supported by affidavit, motions under this rule which have not been filed in accordance with sections (1) and (2)(a) of this rule, and motions filed without prior notice to the opposing party, will be denied summarily.

(5) Security other than bond - stipulation of the parties.

(a) In all cases under this rule where supersedeas bond or other terms that secure the opposing party's rights are required, the court, in its discretion, may allow alternative forms of security other than a bond, when adequate equivalent security is provided and the appealing party can show that the judgment creditor's recovery is not in jeopardy.

(b) In all cases, the parties may by written stipulation waive the filing of security.

(6) Stay in a criminal case. Sections 46-20-204 and -205 govern stays in criminal cases.

History: En. Sup. Ct. Ord. No. AF 07-0016, July 3, 2007, eff. October 1, 2007; amd. Sup. Ct. Ord. No. AF 07-0016, April 26, 2011, eff. October 1, 2011.