Title XV, JUDICIAL BRANCH AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURES (Ch. 595 - 686D)

A person who violates any provision of this article is guilty of a simple misdemeanor. 83 Acts, ch 186, §4302, 10201

1. The supreme court consists of seven justices. A majority of the justices sitting constitutes a quorum, but fewer than three justices is not a quorum. 2. Justices of the supreme court shall be nominated and appointed and shall stand for retention in office as provided in chapte…

1. The supreme court has appellate jurisdiction only in cases in chancery, and constitutes a court for the correction of errors at law. The jurisdiction of the supreme court is coextensive with the state. 2. A civil or criminal action or special proceeding filed with the supreme …

1. At the first meeting in each odd-numbered year, the justices of the supreme court by majority vote shall designate one justice as chief justice, to serve for a two-year term. A vacancy in the office of chief justice shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term by ma…

1. The supreme court may be divided into divisions of three or more justices in the manner it prescribes by rule. The divisions may hold open court separately and cases may be submitted to each division separately, in accordance with these rules. 2. The supreme court shall prescr…

The supreme court shall hold court at the seat of state government and elsewhere as the court orders, and at the times the court orders. 83 Acts, ch 186, §5105, 10201

1. The decisions of the court on all questions passed upon by it, including motions and points of practice, shall be specifically stated, and shall be accompanied with an opinion upon those which are deemed of sufficient importance, together with any dissents, which dissents may …

When the supreme court is equally divided in opinion, the judgment of the court below shall stand affirmed, but the decision of the supreme court is of no further force or authority. Opinions may be filed in these cases. 83 Acts, ch 186, §5107, 10201

The court may require the attendance and services of the sheriff of Polk county at any time. 83 Acts, ch 186, §5108, 10201

1. The supreme court may prescribe all rules of pleading, practice, evidence, and procedure, and the forms of process, writs, and notices, for all proceedings in all courts of this state, for the purposes of simplifying the proceedings and promoting the speedy determination of li…

1. The supreme court shall submit a rule or form prescribed by the supreme court under section 602.4201, subsection 3 , or pursuant to any other rulemaking authority specifically made subject to this section to the legislative council and shall at the same time report the rule or…

1. The supreme court shall appoint a clerk of the supreme court and may remove the clerk for cause. 2. The clerk of the supreme court shall have an office at the seat of government, shall keep a complete record of the proceedings of the court, and shall not allow an opinion filed…

1. The clerk of the supreme court may appoint a deputy clerk of the supreme court. In the absence or disability of the clerk, the deputy shall perform the duties of the clerk. 2. The clerk of the supreme court may employ necessary staff, as authorized by the supreme court. 83 Act…

1. The supreme court shall by rule prescribe fees for the services of the court and clerk of the supreme court. 2. If any of the fees are not paid in advance, execution may issue for them, except for fees payable by the county or the state. 83 Acts, ch 186, §5303, 10201 ; 98 Acts…

1. The supreme court may appoint attorneys or graduates of a reputable law school to act as legal assistants to the justices of the supreme court. 2. The supreme court may employ other professional and clerical staff as necessary to accomplish the judicial duties of the court. 83…

A justice of the supreme court may choose whether to reside at the seat of government or elsewhere. The court administrator may approve necessary travel and actual expenses, incurred by a justice of the supreme court for attendance at oral arguments and judicial conferences, not …

The Iowa court of appeals is established as an intermediate court of appeals. The court of appeals is a court of record. 83 Acts, ch 186, §6101, 10201

1. The court of appeals consists of nine judges; three judges of the court of appeals constitute a quorum. 2. Judges of the court of appeals shall be nominated and appointed and shall stand for retention in office as provided in chapter 46 . Judges of the court of appeals shall q…

1. The jurisdiction of the court of appeals is coextensive with the state. The court of appeals has appellate jurisdiction only in cases in chancery, and constitutes a court for the correction of errors at law. 2. The court of appeals has subject matter jurisdiction to review the…

The court of appeals shall meet at the seat of state government and elsewhere as the court orders, and at the times specified by order of the court. 83 Acts, ch 186, §6104, 10201 ; 99 Acts, ch 144, §6

1. At the first meeting in each odd-numbered year the judges of the court of appeals by majority vote shall designate one judge as chief judge, to serve for a two-year term. A vacancy in the office of chief judge shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term by majority…

1. The court of appeals may affirm, modify, vacate, set aside, or reverse any judgment, order, or decree of the district court or other tribunal which is under the jurisdiction of the court, and may remand the cause and direct the entry of an appropriate judgment, order, or decre…

The court of appeals, subject to the approval of the supreme court, may prescribe rules for the conduct of business of the court of appeals. Rules prescribed shall not abridge, enlarge, or modify a substantive right. 83 Acts, ch 186, §6107, 10201

A decision of the court of appeals shall be in writing, and shall be effective, except as provided in section 602.5106, subsection 2 , when the decision of the court is filed with the clerk of the supreme court. 83 Acts, ch 186, §6108, 10201

1. Process of the court of appeals shall be styled: “In the Court of Appeals of Iowa”. 2. The supreme court may adopt a seal for the court of appeals. Upon adoption, the clerk of the supreme court shall file a facsimile and description of the design in the office of the secretary…

The records of the court of appeals shall be kept by the clerk of the supreme court, and at the same place as, but segregated from the records of the supreme court. Records of the court of appeals shall be maintained in the same manner as records of the supreme court under articl…

The state court administrator shall cause the publication of opinions of the judges of the court of appeals in accordance with rules prescribed by the supreme court. Section 602.4106 applies to decisions of the court of appeals. The state court administrator shall cause the publi…

Costs to be collected and awarded in the court of appeals shall be as prescribed from time to time by the supreme court. Fees and costs may be awarded to a party to the appeal in the discretion of the court of appeals. A fee shall not be charged for the docketing of a matter in t…

1. The clerk of the supreme court or a deputy of that clerk shall act as clerk of the court of appeals. The clerk of the court of appeals shall keep a complete record of the proceedings of that court, shall collect the fees and costs prescribed by the supreme court, and shall acc…

Each judge of the court of appeals may employ one personal secretary. 83 Acts, ch 186, §6202, 10201

The court of appeals may employ attorneys or graduates of a reputable law school to act as legal assistants to the court. 83 Acts, ch 186, §6203, 10201 ; 83 Acts, ch 204, §13 ; 97 Acts, ch 128, §1

The state court administrator shall obtain suitable facilities for the court of appeals at the seat of state government. To the extent practicable, the court administrator shall utilize existing supreme court facilities. 83 Acts, ch 186, §6204, 10201

1. Each judge of the court of appeals shall be provided personal office space and equipment, and facilities for a secretary and law clerk at the seat of state government only. Each judge may choose whether to reside at the seat of government or elsewhere. The court administrator …

A unified trial court is established. This court is the “Iowa District Court”. The district court has exclusive, general, and original jurisdiction of all actions, proceedings, and remedies, civil, criminal, probate, and juvenile, except in cases where exclusive or concurrent jur…

The district court has jurisdiction in appeals and writs of error taken in civil and criminal actions and special proceedings authorized to be taken from tribunals, boards, or officers under the laws of this state, and has general supervision thereof, in all matters, to prevent a…

The district court of each judicial district shall be in continuous session for all of the several counties comprising the district. 83 Acts, ch 186, §7103, 10201 ; 92 Acts, ch 1164, §3

1. The jurisdiction of the Iowa district court shall be exercised by district judges, district associate judges, associate juvenile judges, associate probate judges, and magistrates. 2. Judicial officers of the district court shall not sit together in the trial of causes nor upon…

1. Courts shall be held at the places in each county maintaining space for the district court as designated by the chief judge of the judicial district, or held by remote means of communication, except that the determination of actions, special proceedings, and other matters not …

When court is held at a place that is not the county seat, all of the provisions of the Code relating to district courts are applicable, except as follows: All proceedings in the court have, within the territory over which the court has jurisdiction, the same force and effect as …

1. The supreme court shall, beginning January 1, 2012, and at least every ten years thereafter, review the division of the state into judicial districts and judicial election districts in order to determine whether the composition or the total number of the judicial districts and…

The chief justice of the supreme court shall assign judicial officers and court employees from one judicial district to another, on a continuing basis if need be, in order to handle the judicial business in all districts promptly and efficiently at all times. 83 Acts, ch 186, §71…

1. The reorganized judicial election districts established pursuant to section 602.6107 shall be used solely for purposes of nomination, appointment, and retention of judges of the district court. 2. If the judicial election districts are reorganized under section 602.6107 , the …

1. A peer review court may be established in each judicial district to divert certain juvenile offenders from the criminal or juvenile justice systems. The court shall consist of a qualified adult to act as judge while the duties of prosecutor, defense counsel, court attendant, c…

1. Any party, other than the state or a political subdivision of the state, filing a petition or complaint, answer, appearance, first motion, or any document filed with the clerk of the district court which brings a new party into a proceeding shall provide the clerk of the distr…

The judicial branch shall not establish regional litigation centers. 2003 Acts, ch 151, §37

Notwithstanding section 602.6201 , 602.6301 , 602.6304 , 602.7103B , or 633.20B , if a vacancy occurs in the office of a district judge, district associate judge, associate juvenile judge, or associate probate judge, and the chief justice of the supreme court makes a finding that…