The Idaho Supreme Court is implementing rule changes that will impact, for the most part, intermediate appeals from the magistrate to district court. Idaho Rule of Civil Procedure (“I.R.C.P.”) 83(a) lists the judgments or orders rendered by a magistrate that can be appealed to the district court. Currently, Rule 83(a)(4) allows appeals of “[f]inal orders entered upon current forms approved by the Idaho Supreme Court.” (Emphasis added.) As of April 15, 2015, the provision will now read: “Final judgments entered upon current forms approved by the Idaho Supreme Court.” (Emphasis added.)
The amendment to Rule 83(a) appears to be in line with changes to the definition and form of a judgment under Idaho Rule of Family Law Procedure (“I.R.F.L.P.”) 803, which also goes into effect on April 15, 2015. In particular, the amendments to Rule 803 require a judgment to be entered following an order granting or denying a motion to modify child custody, child support, or spousal maintenance. The amendments also require self-represented litigants to use judgment forms approved by the Idaho Supreme Court.
The amendment to I.R.C.P. 83(a) can be viewed here. The amendments to the Idaho Rules of Family Law Procedure can be viewed here.