Rule 27.Matters Taken Under Advisement

Rules for District Courts of Oklahoma · Last amended August 1, 2013 · Last verified August 3, 2026

In one sentenceRequires a judge who takes a matter under advisement to decide it within 60 days, specify any briefing schedule up front, and ensure file-stamped copies of the decision are mailed to counsel and pro se parties with a certificate of mailing filed in the case.

Full Text of Rule 27

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In any matter taken under advisement, a decision shall be rendered within sixty (60) days of the date on which the matter was taken under advisement or, if briefs are to be submitted, within sixty (60) days of the date of the filing of the final brief. When a trial court takes a matter under advisement, the judge shall specify the date by which a decision shall be rendered. If briefs are to be submitted, the dates for filing such shall also be specified. The Chief Justice may extend the deadline for a decision upon sworn application for an extension of time of the trial judge setting forth with specificity the reasons therefor. Upon entering and filing the decision with the court clerk, in a matter taken under advisement, it shall be the duty of the judge to see that file-stamped copies of the minute order or judgment setting out such decision are mailed by the court clerk to counsel in the case and to any party appearing pro se. The court may direct a party to mail file-stamped copies of the judgment or order to the other parties. 12

O. S. §§ 696.2, 696.3. The copies of the order or judgment mailed under this rule shall bear the notation of the date of mailing, and the clerk or party mailing shall file a certificate of mailing with the district court clerk. 12 O.S. § 696.2.

End

Amendment History

Amended by order eff. 6/17/1985; order of 12/20/1990, eff. 1/1/1991. Amended by order of the Supreme Court, 2013 OK 68, eff. 8/1/2013.

Plain-English Summary

Rule 27 puts a clock on decisions taken under advisement: 60 days from the date the matter was taken under advisement, or 60 days from the filing of the final brief if briefs are still coming. The judge has to specify the decision date, and any briefing dates, at the time the matter is taken under advisement. The Chief Justice may extend that deadline on the trial judge's sworn application spelling out the specific reasons more time is needed.

Once the decision is entered and filed with the court clerk, file-stamped copies of the minute order or judgment must be mailed to counsel and to any pro se party — the court can also direct a party to handle that mailing instead. The mailed copies must show the date of mailing, and whoever mails them must file a certificate of mailing with the district court clerk. Rule 4 and Rule 13 use the same written-notice-by-mail-or-email mechanism for rulings decided without a hearing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can a judge sit on a matter taken under advisement?

No more than 60 days from the date the matter was taken under advisement, or 60 days from the filing of the final brief if briefs are still coming, under Rule 27.

Can that deadline be extended?

Yes. The Chief Justice may extend it on the trial judge's sworn application explaining specifically why more time is needed.

How will I find out about the decision?

Rule 27 requires file-stamped copies of the minute order or judgment to be mailed to counsel and to any pro se party, and the court can also direct a party to handle that mailing.

Does someone have to prove the decision was delivered by mail?

Yes. Rule 27 requires the mailed copies to show the date of mailing and requires a certificate of mailing to be filed with the district court clerk.

Source & verification. Rule text is reproduced verbatim from the Rules for District Courts of Oklahoma, promulgated by the Supreme Court of Oklahoma as an appendix to Chapter 2 of Title 12 of the Oklahoma Statutes. Last verified August 3, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: oklahoma matter under advisement rule60 day decision deadline oklahoma judgerule 27 rules for district courts