STATE OF IDAHO JUDICIAL BRANCH
Supreme Court

Idaho Rules of Family Law Procedure Rule 207. General, Special, or Limited Pro Bono Appearance.

(a) General Appearance. The voluntary appearance of a party or service of any pleading by the party, except as provided in subsection (b) constitutes voluntary submission to the personal jurisdiction of the court.

(b) Motion or Special Appearance to Contest Personal Jurisdiction. The following do not constitute a voluntary appearance by a party under this rule:

(1) a motion under Rule 206(b)(2), (4), or (5), whether raised before or after judgment, a motion under Rule 110, or a motion for an extension of time to respond or otherwise appear;

(2) the joinder of other defenses in a motion under Rule 206(b)(2), (4), or (5);

(3) after a party files a motion under Rule 206(b)(2), (4), or (5), action taken by that party in responding to discovery or to a motion filed by another party;

(4) if, after a motion under Rule 206(b)(2), (4), or (5) is denied, the party pleads further and defends the action, such further appearance and defense of the action; and

(5) the filing of a document entitled “special appearance,” which does not seek any relief but merely provides notice that the party is entering a special appearance to contest personal jurisdiction, if the party files a motion under Rule 206(b)(2), (4), or (5)within 14 days after filing such document, or within such later time as the court permits.

(c) Limited Pro Bono Appearance.

(1) In General. In accordance with the Idaho Rules of Professional Conduct 1.2(c) an attorney may appear to provide pro bono assistance to an otherwise self-represented litigant in an action by filing and serving on all parties a notice of limited appearance specifying all matters that are to be undertaken on behalf of the party.

(2) Limited Authority. The attorney must only act on behalf of the party for those matters specified in the notice of limited appearance or any amended notice. Service on the attorney is valid only for those specific proceedings for which the attorney has appeared. Upon conclusion of the matters for which the attorney specifically appeared, the attorney must file a notice of completion of limited appearance which terminates the attorney’s appearance in the action without need for leave of the court.

(Adopted March 29, 2021, effective July 1, 2021.)