2023 Utah Code
Title 78B - Judicial Code
Chapter 10a - Tort Arbitration
Section 108 - Trial de novo.

Universal Citation:
UT Code § 78B-10a-108 (2023)
Learn more This media-neutral citation is based on the American Association of Law Libraries Universal Citation Guide and is not necessarily the official citation.
78B-10a-108. Trial de novo.
  • (1)
    • (a) Upon filing a notice requesting a trial de novo in accordance with Subsection 78B-10a-107(2):
      • (i) unless otherwise stipulated to by the parties or ordered by the court, an additional 90 days shall be allowed for further discovery;
      • (ii) the additional discovery time under Subsection (1)(a)(i) shall run from the notice of the request for a trial de novo; and
      • (iii) the claim shall proceed through litigation pursuant to the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure and Utah Rules of Evidence in the district court.
    • (b) In accordance with Rule 38, Utah Rules of Civil Procedure, either party may request a jury trial with a request for trial de novo filed in accordance with Subsection 78B-10a-107(2)(a)(i).
  • (2)
    • (a) If the plaintiff, as the moving party in a trial de novo requested under Subsection 78B-10a-107(2), does not obtain a verdict that is at least $5,000 and 30% greater than the arbitration award, the plaintiff is responsible for all of the nonmoving party's costs.
    • (b) Except as provided in Subsection (2)(c), the costs under Subsection (2)(a) shall include:
      • (i) any costs set forth in Rule 54(d), Utah Rules of Civil Procedure; and
      • (ii) the costs of expert witnesses and depositions.
    • (c) An award of costs under this Subsection (2) may not exceed $6,000.
  • (3)
    • (a) If a defendant, as the moving party in a trial de novo requested in accordance with Subsection 78B-10a-107(2), does not obtain a verdict that is at least 30% less than the arbitration award, the defendant is responsible for all of the nonmoving party's costs.
    • (b) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(c), the costs under Subsection (3)(a) shall include:
      • (i) any costs set forth in Rule 54(d), Utah Rules of Civil Procedure; and
      • (ii) the costs of expert witnesses and depositions.
    • (c) An award of costs in accordance with this Subsection (3) may not exceed $6,000.
  • (4) For purposes of determining whether a party's verdict is greater or less than the arbitration award under Subsections (2) and (3), a court may not consider any recovery or other relief granted on a claim for damages if the claim for damages:
    • (a) was not fully disclosed in writing prior to the arbitration proceeding; or
    • (b) was not disclosed in response to discovery contrary to the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure.
  • (5) If a district court determines, upon a motion of the nonmoving party, that the moving party's use of the trial de novo process was filed in bad faith as defined in Section 78B-5-825, the district court may award reasonable attorney fees to the nonmoving party.
  • (6)
    • (a) If a defendant requests a trial de novo under Subsection 78B-10a-107(2), the total verdict at trial may not exceed $15,000 above any available limits of insurance coverage and the total verdict may not exceed $65,000.
    • (b) If a plaintiff requests a trial de novo under Subsection 78B-10a-107(2), the verdict at trial may not exceed $50,000.


Enacted by Chapter 197, 2011 General Session
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