R.I. Work. Comp. Ct. R. 2.9

As amended through June 7, 2024

Rule 2.9 - Excusal of Attorney.

No attorney shall be excused from attendance at the Court except upon application to the Chief Judge, or her/his designee, and such excuse from attendance shall be granted on such terms and conditions as the court may deem proper. All motions to be excused shall:

(1) List the file number, caption and trial judge of every case assigned during the period for which the excuse is sought and the name of the attorney of record for each of the adverse parties; and

(2) Contain a certification that the attorney requesting the excusal has notified all attorneys of record, or parties if not represented, in all pending cases assigned during the requested period of excusal at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the filing of the request for excusal and has not received any notice of an objection from any party.

Said motion, if granted, will not result in a continuance unless counsel of record has been notified as provided above. All requests for excusal shall be submitted no later than fifteen (15) days prior to the commencement of the period for which excusal is sought.

An attorney of record for an adverse party who objects to the motion to be excused shall file an objection with the chief judge, or her/his designee, immediately upon receipt of said motion. The chief judge, or her/his designee, shall conduct a hearing on the objection.

In case of the sudden illness of an attorney, or the attorney's absence from a hearing for some other imperative and unforeseen cause, a judge shall take such action, without notice, as shall appear reasonable under the circumstances.

R.I. Work. Comp. Ct. R. 2.9

Reporter's Notes. This rule was amended to ensure that all judges and opposing parties involved in any matter scheduled for hearing during the excusal period are made aware of the request for excusal. The rule also provides a mechanism for an opposing party to object to a request for excusal.