2024 -- H 7739 SUBSTITUTE A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE--PROCEDURE GENERALLY --

DISTRICT COURT PRACTICE

     Introduced By: Representatives Dawson, Shanley, and O'Brien

     Date Introduced: February 28, 2024

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     (Judiciary)

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Sections 9-12-10 and 9-12-10.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 9-12 entitled

"District Court Practice" are hereby amended to read as follows:

     9-12-10. Claim of appeal of superior court Claim of appeal to superior court in civil

cases.

     (a) Except as otherwise provided, in all civil cases in the district court, any party may cause

the case to be removed for trial on all questions of law and fact to the superior court for the county

in which division the suit is pending by claiming an appeal from the judgment of the district court,

in writing, filed with the clerk of the division within two (2) days, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays,

and legal holidays, after the judgment is entered; provided, that the party claiming the appeal, at

the time of claiming the appeal, shall pay to the clerk all costs, including an attorney’s fee of fifty

dollars ($50.00), for the party or parties adversely interested in the judgment, to be paid by the clerk

to the attorney for the adverse party. The attorney’s fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) shall be divided

equally among the attorneys for the parties adversely interested when more than one adverse party

is involved; and provided, further, that costs shall not be taxed, exclusive of the attorney’s fee, at a

sum not less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00), in addition to a technology surcharge assessed in

accordance with § 8-15-11.

     (b) If the plaintiff is filing the claim of appeal, the plaintiff shall pay to the clerk an appeal

fee of seventy dollars ($70.00). The appeal fee of seventy dollars ($70.00) shall be paid to the

adverse party or shall be divided equally when more than one party is involved.

     (c) If the defendant is filing the claim of appeal, the defendant shall pay to the clerk an

appeal fee of one hundred fifteen dollars ($115), (a filing fee of seventy dollars ($70.00), and a

service fee of forty-five dollars ($45.00)) which is to be paid to the adverse party, and a civil case

processing fee of seventeen dollars and fifty cents ($17.50), and a technology surcharge of three

dollars and twenty-five cents ($3.25).

     9-12-10.1. Claim of appeal to superior court in landlord tenant actions.

     (a) In any civil action pursuant to chapter 18 of title 34, in the district court or other

appropriate court, any party may cause the case to be removed for trial on all questions of law and

fact to the superior court for the county in which division the suit is pending, by claiming an appeal

from the judgment of the district or other appropriate court, in writing, filed with the clerk of the

division within five (5) days, including Saturday, Sunday, or a state or federal legal holiday, after

the judgment is entered; provided, that the party claiming the appeal at the time of claiming the

appeal, shall pay to the clerk all costs, including an attorney’s fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) for the

party or parties adversely interested in the judgment, to be paid by the clerk to the attorney for the

adverse party; provided, further, that costs shall not be taxed, exclusive of the attorney’s fee, at a

sum less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00), in addition to a technology surcharge assessed in

accordance with § 8-15-11.

     (b) If the plaintiff is filing the claim of appeal, the plaintiff shall pay to the clerk an appeal

fee of seventy dollars ($70.00). The appeal fee of seventy dollars ($70.00) shall be paid to the

adverse party or shall be divided equally when more than one party is involved.

     (c) If the defendant is filing the claim of appeal, the defendant shall pay to the clerk an

appeal fee of one hundred fifteen dollars ($115), (a filing fee of seventy-dollars ($70.00), and a

service fee of forty-five dollars ($45.00)) which is to be paid to the adverse party, and a civil case

processing fee of seventeen dollars and fifty cents ($17.50), and a technology surcharge of three

dollars and twenty-five cents ($3.25).

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE--PROCEDURE GENERALLY --

DISTRICT COURT PRACTICE

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     This act would amend the filing fees and time frame for certain claims of appeal to superior

court.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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