Utah Code Jud. Admin. 3-401

As amended through October 28, 2024

Rule 3-401 - Office of General Counsel

Intent:

To establish the office of General Counsel within the Administrative Office.

To identify the office of General Counsel as the primary authority for coordinating the provision of legal services to the judiciary.

To establish uniform procedures governing the provision of legal services to the judiciary.

To define the relationship between the office of General Counsel and the Office of the Attorney General.

Applicability:

This rule shall apply to the judiciary.

Statement of the Rule:

(1)Establishment. The office of General Counsel is established within the Administrative Office to provide legal services to the judiciary.

(2)Responsibility. The office of General Counsel shall have primary responsibility for providing the following legal services:

(2)(A) informal advice and counsel

(2)(B) written opinions;

(2)(C) legislative drafting;

(2)(D) legal representation in administrative and judicial proceedings where the claimant is seeking declaratory, injunctive, or extraordinary relief or where risk management coverage is not provided;

(2)(E) negotiation, drafting, and review of contracts and leases;

(2)(F) consultation, drafting, and review of judicial policies and procedures;

(2)(G) staff support to committees established by the Council and the Supreme Court as directed; and

(2)(H) coordination of and arrangement for legal representation by the Attorney General's Office or outside counsel in appropriate cases.

(3)Protocol for requesting legal assistance.

(3)(A)Courts of record.

(3)(A)(i) Non-judicial officers and employees of the state.

(3)(A)(i)(a) All requests for legal assistance, other than requests for informal advice or counsel, shall be in writing and directed to the appropriate state level administrator, who shall refer appropriate requests to the office of General Counsel.

(3)(A)(i)(b) All requests for legal representation and indemnification shall be made in writing by the employee or officer who is named as a defendant. The request shall be made within ten days of service and directed to the office of General Counsel. A copy of the request shall be sent by the individual officer or employee to the Office of the Attorney General at that time. General Counsel shall be responsible for coordinating the legal representation of non-judicial officers and employees with the Attorney General's Office.

(3)(A)(ii) Judicial officers.

(3)(A)(ii)(a) All requests for legal assistance from judicial officers, other than requests for informal advice or counsel, shall be in writing and directed to General Counsel.

(3)(A)(ii)(b) All requests for legal representation and indemnification shall be made by the judicial officer who is named as a defendant. The request shall be made within ten days of service and directed to General Counsel. General Counsel shall be responsible for coordinating the legal representation of judicial officers with the Attorney General's Office.

(3)(B)Courts not of record. All requests for legal assistance, representation and indemnification shall be made in writing by the officer or employee seeking assistance and directed to the appropriate governmental entity.

(3)(C)Judicial council, boards of judges, committees and task forces. All requests for legal assistance from the Council, the Boards, committees or task forces established by the Council or the Supreme Court shall be in writing and directed to General Counsel from the presiding officer of the Council, Board, committee or task force.

(4)Relationship to attorney general's office. The provision of legal services to the judiciary by the Office of General Counsel and the Office of the Attorney General shall be governed by this rule and Utah Code section 63G-7-901.

Utah Code Jud. Admin. 3-401

Amended October 23, 2018 Effective 11/1/2018; amended December 22, 2021, effective 5/1/2022.