Nevada Rules of Civil Procedure Committee Overview

Through ADKT 0522, the Nevada Supreme Court has created the Nevada Rules of Civil Procedure Committee to review and make recommendations whether to update and revise the Nevada Rules of Civil Procedure (NRCP) and related rules.  The Nevada Supreme Court created the Committee because the last review of the NRCP occurred in 2005.  The NRCP were originally based upon the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (FRCP), which have changed since the last review, leading to discrepancies that did not previously exist between the NRCP and the FRCP.  The existing NRCP also do not address new technology and are sometimes inconsistent with other Nevada rules.  The Nevada Supreme Court appointed Justices Mark Gibbons and Kristina Pickering as co-chairs of the Committee and constituted the Committee with the other committee members.

At the Committee’s first meeting, the Committee recognized the NRCP’s past reliance on the FRCP and voted to continue that relationship except where policy, existing Nevada practice or rules, or unique state concerns support a different approach.  Accordingly, the Committee has since divided itself into subcommittees, and those subcommittees are comparing the existing NRCP with the FRCP and determining whether to recommend the that court adopt the updated federal rule, retain the existing Nevada rule, or edit the rule and take a different approach.  The subcommittees meet as needed, and the Committee meets once a month, video-conferenced in Reno, Las Vegas, and sometimes Carson City.  The various subcommittees, the Committee’s agendas and minutes, and the approved rules can be found by clicking on the links in this text or by navigating through the menu to the right.  All rules recommended by the Committee for adoption remain non-final and may be revisited as needed until the Committee’s final report and recommendations are presented to the Nevada Supreme Court for its consideration and formal notice and public comment to follow.

While the bar and the public will have an opportunity to comment on the final report submitted to the Nevada Supreme Court, the Committee welcomes and solicits public comment while it deliberates.  The NRCP revision process is intended to be collaborative with any members of the bar or the public who wish to comment, and the Committee recognizes that differing viewpoints will help it critically consider the NRCP, which will make the rules better for Nevada. Any comments on any rules may be submitted to the Committee in writing at this email address: NRCPcommittee@nvcourts.nv.gov, or by mail to:

NRCP Committee
Nevada Supreme Court
201 South Carson Street
Carson City, Nevada 89701

After the Committee presents its final report to the Nevada Supreme Court and the public has had an opportunity to comment, the Nevada Supreme Court will consider the Committee’s recommended changes, along with all public comments, and adopt or reject the proposed amendments.  If the Nevada Supreme Court adopts the recommendations, the rule amendments will become effective on the date specified in the order adopting the rules, which will be at least 60 days from the date of that order.