Back in the day, you had to know a guy, who knew a guy, who might have heard from some other guy, if there were any standing orders floating around that remained in effect as the judges rotated through the Superior Court motion calendars.
No longer! These days, the Rhode Island official court website posts the orders chronologically as the judges take their assignments. Here are the various orders, organized by county, topic and judge:
(Note: This page last updated September 29, 2021. Visit this RICourtBlog post for a detailed explanation of Superior Court calendars and calendar calls).
(Note: as of circa September 2019, the Rhode Island Superior Court changed its miscellaneous orders webpage. It removed some of the older legacy orders from judges, and now describes some of the orders as the “current” protocol for each county. The page is occasionally confusing in some respects, however, because at one point the “current” order in Kent County (since removed) conflicted with the Order that Justice Lanphear entered thereafter for motions in Kent County.)
Orders Related To The Coronavirus Pandemic
Federal Court Orders Affecting Rhode Island Practitioners
July 19, 2021 General Order Regarding Courthouse Access and Continuity of Operations
May 30, 2021 Amended General Order Regarding Courthouse Visitation Restrictions
May 28, 2021 Ninth General Order Regarding Continuity of Operations
May 28, 2021 Notice Regarding Reopening of Clerk’s Office
Jan. 28, 2021 Notice Regarding Zoom for Civil Trials
Dec. 9, 2020 Sixth General Order Regarding Continuity of Operations
Dec. 7, 2020 Notice Regarding Use of Zoom for Civil Trials
Sept. 25, 2020 General Order Regarding Courthouse Visitation and Access Restrictions
Sept. 22, 2020 Fifth General Order Regarding Continuity of Operations
Sept. 22, 2020 General Order Regarding Protocols for In-Person Hearings and Jury Trials
June 29, 2020 Fourth General Order Regarding Operations
May 22, 2020 General Order regarding depositions in civil cases
May 6, 2020 Third General Order on Continuity of Operations in Federal District Court
May 6, 2020 Order on Signatures in Criminal Cases
April 30, 2020 Order Relieving Attorneys from CLE Obligations
April 29, 2020 Letter to the Bar from the Federal District Court
April 16, 2020 General Order Directing the Warden of the Wyatt to File Status Reports
April 7, 2020 General Order Amending the Government’s Response Time to Emergency Motions
April 1, 2020 Notice on Public Telephonic Access to Court Hearings
April 1, 2020 Memo from Chief Judge McConnell
U.S. District Court March 30, 2020 Amended General Order on Criminal Matters
U.S. District Court March 27, 2020, General Order on Interim CJA Vouchers
U.S. District Court, March 21, 2020, General Order on Criminal Matters
U.S. Supreme Court March 19, 2020 Order on Petitions for Writs of Certiorari
U.S. District Court, March 19, 2020, Second Order on Continuity of Operations
U.S. Bankruptcy Court, March 17, 2020 Order on Court Operations
U.S. District Court March 17, 2020 Public Notice Regarding Operations
U.S. Supreme Court March 16, 2020 announcement of closure of Supreme Court courthouse to the public
U.S. District Court, March 13, 2020 General Order on Continuity of Operations
U.S. District Court, March 13, 2020, General Order Regarding Courthouse Access
U.S. District Court, March 2, 2020 Announcement on Courthouse Access
First Circuit Court of Appeals Notice on its homepage:
Due to the COVID-19 virus pandemic, and in order to protect public health and safety, the sitting of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit scheduled for April 6 through April 9, 2020 is cancelled. Further information regarding the cases previously scheduled for argument at that time will be provided by court order in those cases.
Due to health concerns over the COVID-19 virus, the Clerk’s Office for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit will not accept in-person case filings at its intake window, until further notice. If you plan to file a paper document at the Moakley Courthouse, please use the drop-box located on the first floor by the main entrance. You can reach the Clerk’s Office by phone at 617-748-9057
Rhode Island State Court Orders
The September 20, 2021 Order entered by Judge Lanphear on the Formal and Special Cause Calendar
September 13, 2021 State District Court Order No. 2021-08 on Criminal Matters
August 31, 2021 State District Court Administrative Order No. 2021-07 on Eviction Protocols
August 13, 2021 Supreme Court Executive Order No. 2021-06 on wearing face coverings
August 6, 2021 Family Court Order on Continuity of Operations
August 5, 2021 State District Court Administrative Order No. 2021-06 on Eviction Protocols and further clarification for “Criminal Activity”
July 30, 2201 Supreme Court Administrative Order No. 2021-06 on Remote Hearings
July 30, 2021 Supreme Court Administrative Order No. 2021-05 on In-Person Hearings
July 20, 2021 Supreme Court Executive Order No. 2021-04 on Continuity of Operations
July 16, 2021 State District Court Administrative Order No. 2021-05 on Eviction Protocols
June 9, 2021 State District Court Administrative Order on Criminal Matters
May 13, 2021 Google Conferencing Directive for Courtrooms 4 and 9
April 9, 2021 Miscellaneous Supreme Court Order on the Bar Exam
March 8, 2021 State District Court Order on Civil Matters
March 3, 2021 State District Court Order on Criminal Matters
March 1, 2021 Courtroom 4 Protocol for the Control Calendar and Other Criminal and Civil Matters
March 1, 2021 Superior Court Order on the Diversion Program
Jan. 5, 2021 State District Court Protocol on Criminal Matters
Dec. 30, 2020 Order suspending MCLE continuing education requirements
Dec. 30, 2020 State District Court Order on Eviction Protocols
Dec. 21, 2020 Superior Court Administrative Order on In-Person Hearings and Protocols
Dec. 1, 2020 State District Update on In-Person Matters
Nov. 30, 2020 Miscellaneous Order on the State Bar Exam
Nov. 18, 2020 State District Court Order on In-Person Matters
Nov. 11, 2020 State Superior Court Notice of Reduction of In-Person Court Matters
Oct. 7, 2020, Providence County Motion Calendar Protocols on Dispositive Motions
Sept. 30, 2020 Jury Trial Protocols under COVID-19 Guidelines
September 24, 2020 Civil Motion Calendar for Non-Dispositive Motions in Providence County
Sept. 18, 2020 Civil Motion Calendar Protocol for Washington County
Sept. 11, 2020 Civil Motion Calendar Protocol for Newport County
Sept. 9, 2020 Superior Court Revised Protocol for Requesting a Remote Hearing with guidance on scheduling appointment slots
Sept. 9, 2020 Courtroom 4 Protocol for Providence Superior Court – Control Calendar for trials
Sept. 8, 2020 Civil Motion Calendar Protocols for Providence County
Sept. 4, 2020 Announcement reopening the South County and Newport courthouses
Sept. 3, 2020 District Court Order on Eviction Protocols
June 11, 2020 Supreme Court Order postponing the July bar exam until September 30
June 10, 2020 Superior Court Order on in-person hearings, WebEx hearings and judicial assignments
May 29, 2020 Protocols for visiting RI Supreme Court clerk’s office
May 29, 2020 State District Court criminal protocols and other calendars and a notice for scheduling civil cases
May 28, 2020 Order on Scheduling Protocols for Kent, Newport and Washington County
May 22, 2020 Providence County Daily Criminal Calendar Protocols
May 22, 2020 Family Court Continuity of Operations Order
May 22, 2020 State District Court Supplemental Eviction Protocol and accompanying forms
May 20, 2020 Superior Court Courtroom 5G Protocol
May 20, 2020 RI State District Court Order on Eviction Calendar
May 19, 2020 – Courtroom 4 Protocol – Limited Matters to Proceed (RI Superior Court)
May 18, 2020 Administrative Order from the Workers’ Compensation Court
May 15, 2020 RI Supreme Court Executive Order on Continuity of Operations in the Court System
May 15, 2020 RI Supreme Court Executive Order for Supreme Court matters
May 15, 2020 RI Superior Court Administrative Order
May 15, 2020 RI Family Court Administrative Order
May 6, 2020 RI Superior Court Protocol for Requesting a Remote Hearing/Conference for Criminal and Civil Matters during COVID-19 Emergency Measures and the form for requesting a remote hearing
May 6, 2020 Administrative Order from the Workers’ Compensation Court
May 1, 2020 Administrative Order for Family Court for Pre-trial Calendar on Divorce Matters
April 30, 2020 Remote Hearing Protocol for the Providence Motion Calendar
Webex Disposition Calendar Order for Rhode Island State District Court
April 24, 2020 Temporary Courtroom 4 Protocol for Pretrial Conferences
April 22, 2020 Executive Order on Indigent Defense Services
April 21, 2020 New Protocols for Providence and Out-County Business Calendars During COVID-19 Crisis
April 14, 2020 Superior Court Order on Remote Hearings and Coverage on Essential Matters, and a tutorial here on conducting remote hearings, and an updated tutorial here
April 13, 2020 News Advisory postponing the July 2020 bar exam indefinitely
April 4, 2020 Order Closing the Kent County Courthouse and the Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal
April 3, 2020 Order releasing some inmates from the ACI
March 31, 2020 Superior Court Order Creating a COVID-19 Non Liquidating Receivership Plan and a FAQs page on same, and a video describing the program
March 31, 2020 Prohibiting Groups of More Than Five in State Courthouses
March 31, 2020 Order Closing the Newport and Washington County Courthouses
Link to all of the Governor’s Executive Orders
Governor’s Executive Orders (Mar. 20, 2020), Order 20-13 and Order 20-14 Further Restricting Travel and Requiring Telework
General Executive Order on State Court Calendars and Trials
Judicial Assignments for Emergency/Essential Matters
General Executive Order on Supreme Court Hearings and Deadlines
Notice Cancelling Court Sessions for Week of March 13, 2020
Supreme Court Order on Bar Admission Procedures
Judge Darigan’s Order on the Providence Motion Calendar
Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal Administrative Order
Family Court Administrative Order on Hearings with updated Order dated April 15, 2020 here
Workers’ Compensation Court Administrative Order on Hearings and Trials with updated Order dated April 14, 2020 here
Providence Business Calendar Guidance: although not in the form of an order, the Rhode Island Bar Association sent the following message on behalf of Judge Stern:
“As we continue to take Coronavirus precautions, the Supreme Court has implemented video conferencing software for the Providence Business Calendar. The WebEx® platform allows certain matters, including chambers conferences, to be conducted remotely.
WebEx® allows the Court to set up the video call without any cost to the Participants. All that is required is a camera and microphone on your computer or installing the WebEx® application on your iPhone or Android device. If you do not have access to a computer or phone with a camera and a microphone, you may also dial into the conference. All of the information is in the invitation email that you receive before the video conference. You may also find it helpful to read the WebEx® information for Attendees by clicking here.
Clerk Miley will be reaching out to Parties that have upcoming conferences.
Thank you very much for your understanding and cooperation.
Brian P. Stern
Associate Justice
Rhode Island Superior Court
250 Benefit Street
Providence, Rhode Island 02903
Providence and Bristol Counties Orders
The Motion Calendar
Oct. 7, 2020, Providence County Motion Calendar Protocols on Dispositive Motions by Judge Montalbano
Sept. 9, 2020 Superior Court Revised Protocol for Requesting a Remote Hearing with guidance on scheduling appointment slots
Sept. 8, 2020 Civil Motion Calendar Protocols for Providence County entered by Judge Montalbano
April 30, 2020 Remote Hearing Protocol for the Providence Motion Calendar during COVID-19 Crisis
The 2020 Order on Non-Dispositive Motions entered by Judge Darigan
The 2020 Order on Dispositive Motions entered by Judge Darigan
The 2017 Order on Dispositive Motions entered by Judge Keough (alas the Court removed the link to this Order in 2020)
The 2015 Order on Dispositive Motions entered by Judge Licht (alas the Court removed the link to this Order in 2020)
The 2014 Order on Non-Dispositive motions entered by Judge Licht (alas the Court removed the link to this Order in 2020)
The 2013 Order on Dispositive Motions entered by Judge Montalbano
The 2013 Order on Dispositive Motions entered by Judge Matos
The 2011 Order on Dispositive Motions entered by Judge Van Couyghen
The 2006 Order on Dispositive Motions entered by Judge Hurst
Judge Gibney’s 2010 Order eliminating the Thursday Motion Calendar
The Formal and Special Cause Calendar
The September 20, 2021 Order entered by Judge Lanphear
The 2016 Order from Judge Licht on the Formal and Special Cause calendar
The Continuous Trial Calendar
The 2019 Order from Judge Matos on trial calendar procedure
The 2015 Order from Judge Rodgers on scheduling conferences (alas the Court removed the link to this Order in 2020)
The 2011 Order from Judge Gibney on assigning cases to the trial calendar
Providence and Bristol County Business Calendar
April 21, 2020 New Protocols for Providence and Out-County Business Calendars During COVID-19 Crisis
March 31, 2020 Superior Court Order Creating a COVID-19 Non Liquidating Receivership Plan and a FAQs page on same, and a video describing the program
The 2018 Order from Judges Stern and Taft-Carter on calendar protocols
The 2011 Order from Justice Gibney that superseded the original 2001 order
The original 2001 Order from Judge Rodgers (the older) creating the Business Calendar
Note: RICourtBlog believes that Judge Silverstein may have entered another order on assignment of cases to the business calendar, but has not been able to locate the order online.
Kent County Orders
Civil Calendar
May 28, 2020 Order on Scheduling Protocols for Kent, Newport and Washington County
The 2018 Order on Dispositive Motions entered by Judge Licht (alas the Court removed the link to this Order in 2020)
The 2018 Order on Non-Dispositive Motions entered by Judge Licht (alas the Court removed the link to this Order in 2020)
The 2015 Order on Dispositive Motions entered by Judge Gallo (alas the Court removed the link to this Order in 2020)
The 2013 Order on Dispositive Motions entered by Judge Taft-Carter
The 2008 Order on Dispositive Motions entered by Judge Lanphear
The Formal and Special Cause Calendar
The 2018 Order from Judge Licht on the Formal and Special Cause Calendar (alas the Court removed the link to this Order in 2020)
Out County Business Calendar
April 21, 2020 New Protocols for Providence and Out-County Business Calendars During COVID-19 Crisis
Judge Licht’s 2017 Out County Business Calendar Order
Judge Gibney’s 2011 order creating the “out county” business calendar
The Continuous Trial Calendar
The 2017 Order on assigning cases to the trial calendar entered by Judge McGuirl
MERS Calendar
Judge Gibney’s 2010 MERS Order assigning Judge Rubine to the MERS calendar
Washington County Orders
Sept. 18, 2020 Civil Motion Calendar Protocol entered by Justice Taft-Carter
May 28, 2020 Order on Scheduling Protocols for Kent, Newport and Washington County
The 2018 Order on Dispositive Motions entered by Justice Taft-Carter
The 2013 Order on Dispositive and Non-Dispositive Motions entered by Judge Rodgers
Newport County Orders
Sept. 11, 2020 Civil Motion Calendar Protocol for Newport County entered by Judge VanCouyghen
May 28, 2020 Order on Scheduling Protocols for Kent, Newport and Washington County
The 2017 Order on Dispositive and Non-Dispositive Motions entered from Judge Van Couyghen
The 2013 Order on Dispositive and Non-Dispositive Motions entered by Judge Gallo
The 2009 Order on Dispositive and Non-Dispositive Motions entered by Judge Nugent