N.H. R. Sup. Ct. 7-A

As amended through July 18, 2024

Rule 7-A - Motion for Stay or for Remand

(1) A motion to stay an order or judgment of a lower tribunal shall not be filed in this court unless the movant has first unsuccessfully sought similar relief from the lower tribunal. This requirement may be waived by the court upon motion in extraordinary circumstances. Any motion to stay shall be accompanied by a copy of the request for similar relief filed with the lower tribunal, any objection filed thereto, and the lower tribunal's order denying such relief. In addition, any motion to stay shall be accompanied by a copy of the order or judgment which the motion seeks to have stayed.

(2) A motion for remand or partial remand shall be accompanied by a copy of the pleading(s) that the movant intends to file with the lower tribunal if the motion is granted. Unless the court orders otherwise, the grant of a partial remand shall not stay the proceedings in this court.

N.H. R. Sup. Ct. 7-A

Comment

Perfection of an appeal vests exclusive jurisdiction in the supreme court over those matters arising out of, and directly related to, the issues presented by the appeal. SeeRautenberg v. Munnis, 107 N.H. 446, 447 (1966). The trial court is not in a position to act on such matters while an appeal is pending unless the case is remanded for that purpose. Seeid. at 448. Rautenberg also recognized, however, that the trial court is not prohibited from passing on collateral, subsidiary or independent matters affecting the case and the trial court has adequate authority and jurisdiction to preserve the status quo. Seeid.

In addition, Superior Court Rule 74 provides that a decree does not go to final judgment if a timely appeal is taken to the supreme court. SeeRollins v. Rollins, 122 N.H. 6, 9 (1982). Thus, in an appeal from a divorce decree, for example, a timely appeal will prevent the trial court's final decree from going into effect, and the temporary decree would remain in effect while the appeal is pending. Seeid. at 10. Rollins also recognized, however, that the trial judge has the authority to order that the final decree, at least in part, is to be in effect while the appeal was pending, and that an appellant's only recourse in such a case was to obtain a stay of that order in the trial court or the supreme court. Seeid. (final decree as to level of child support held to be in effect while appeal was pending); Nicolazzi v. Nicolazzi, 131 N.H. 694, 696 (1989) (acknowledging trial court's discretion to set levels of alimony and child support to be paid during appeal).

This rule is intended to:

(1) provide a procedural mechanism for requesting a stay of the judgment of a lower tribunal that is not stayed by the filing of a timely appeal; and

(2) provide a procedural mechanism for requesting a remand or partial remand to a lower tribunal when necessary to allow the lower tribunal to act upon a matter that is not a collateral, subsidiary or independent matter affecting the case.