The Indiana Supreme Court is interested in receiving comments from judges, attorneys and the public as it considers changes to the Indiana Rules of Court.  The proposed rule changes deal with attorney advertising, appellate court procedures and trial court procedures.  Details about the specific proposed rule changes can be found online at courts.in.gov/rules/proposed/2009/november.html.

The Court is seeking comments through its Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure.  The Committee was created by the Indiana Supreme Court to conduct a continuous study of the Indiana Rules of Procedure and other rules as directed by the Court.  The Committee is charged with reporting to the Court recommendations and proposed amendments to promote simplicity in procedure, just determination of litigation, and elimination of unjustified expense and delay.

The Committee is considering recommending to the Indiana Supreme Court changes to the following rules:

1. Indiana Professional Conduct Rules 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, and 7.5 (attorney advertizing)
2. Indiana Rules of Appellate Procedure 14, 18, 39, 41, 46, 49, and 50 (appellate practice)
3. Indiana Trial Rule 62 (procedure for obtaining stay upon appeal)

The Committee is also interested in obtaining comments on a rule change proposed by the Indiana Pro Bono Commission. The Rules Committee has neither reviewed nor determined whether to recommend the following proposed amendment:

1. Indiana Trial Rule 23 (dispersing the balance of class action residual funds to Indiana Bar Foundation for use by the Pro Bono Commission)

The nine-member Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure will collect public comments about the possible rule changes until March 1, 2010.  The comments can be sent via email or in writing to the following addresses:

• localrulescomments@courts.state.in.us

• Lilia G. Judson
  Executive Director
  Indiana Supreme Court
  Division of State Court Administration
  30 South Meridian Street, Suite 500
  Indianapolis, IN 46204