CHAPTER 281
(SCR 06-07)
In the Matter of the Amendment of SDCL 15-6-11(c)
IN THE SUPREME COURT
OF THE
STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA
* * * *
IN THE MATTER OF THE AMENDMENT
OF SDCL 15-6-11(c) RULE 06-07
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A hearing was held on February 16, 2006, at Pierre, South Dakota, relating to the
amendment of SDCL 15-6-11(c), and the Court having considered the proposed amendment, the
correspondence and oral presentations relating thereto and being fully advised in the premises,
now, therefore, it is
ORDERED that SDCL 15-6-11(c) be and it is hereby amended to read in its entirety as
follows:
15-6-11(c).
Findings of fact and conclusions of law--Final order Sanctions.
The court shall
make findings of fact and conclusions of law for every order entered pursuant to this section. Upon
conclusion of the case or controversy, an order entered pursuant to this section shall be considered
a final order and is appealable as a matter of right under § 15-26A-3. If, after notice and a
reasonable opportunity to respond, the court determines that § 15-6-11(b) has been violated, the
court may, subject to the conditions stated below, impose an appropriate sanction upon the
attorneys, law firms, or parties that have violated § 15-6-11(b) or are responsible for the violation.
(1)
How Initiated.
(A)
By Motion. A motion for sanctions under this rule shall be made separately from
other motions or requests and shall describe the specific conduct alleged to
violate § 15-6-11(b). It shall be served as provided in § 15-6-5, but shall not be
filed with or presented to the court unless, within twenty-one days after service
of the motion (or such other period as the court may prescribe), the challenged
paper, claim, defense, contention, allegation, or denial is not withdrawn or
appropriately corrected. If warranted, the court may award to the party prevailing
on the motion the reasonable expenses and attorney's fees incurred in presenting
or opposing the motion. Absent exceptional circumstances, a law firm shall be
held jointly responsible for violations committed by its partners, associates, and
employees.
(B)
On Court's Initiative. On its own initiative, the court may enter an order
describing the specific conduct that appears to violate § 15-6-11(b) and directing
an attorney, law firm, or party to show cause why it has not violated § 15-6-11(b)
with respect thereto.
(2)
Nature of Sanctions; Limitations. A sanction imposed for violation of this rule shall be
limited to what is sufficient to deter repetition of such conduct or comparable conduct
by others similarly situated. Subject to the limitations in subparagraphs (A) and (B), the
sanction may consist of, or include, directives of a nonmonetary nature, an order to pay
a penalty into court, or, if imposed on motion and warranted for effective deterrence,
an order directing payment to the movant of some or all of the reasonable attorneys' fees
and other expenses incurred as a direct result of the violation.
(A)
Monetary sanctions may not be awarded against a represented party for a
violation of § 15-6-11(b)(2).
(B)
Monetary sanctions may not be awarded on the court's initiative unless the court
issues its order to show cause before a voluntary dismissal or settlement of the
claims made by or against the party which is, or whose attorneys are, to be
sanctioned.
(3)
Order. When imposing sanctions, the court shall describe the conduct determined to
constitute a violation of this rule and explain the basis for the sanction imposed.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this rule shall become effective July 1, 2006.
DATED at Pierre, South Dakota, this 17th day of March 2006.