The January and February Civil Bench-Bar meetings offered up some very useful information for attorneys in civil practice. Recent changes in statues and rules were clarified and Nevada Supreme Court opinions affecting civil practice were summarized. Some other important takeaways were provided including:

• Leadership Transition: Judge Tara Clark-Newberry will now oversee the Civil Bench-Bar meetings following the retirement of Judge Gloria Sturman.
• Pro Bono Challenge Update: The annual Pro Bono Challenge is underway. Competition is intensifying, and smaller sections still have a strong chance to win based on participation percentage. The State Bar kicked off the challenge last week, and top providers will be recognized. Law Day is May 1, and attorneys will have the opportunity to reaffirm their oath. Organizers emphasized the importance of engagement and are seeking new Bench-Bar Committee members.
• New Arbitration Limits (Effective January 1, 2026):
  • The new rules apply to cases filed in 2026. If the case number begins with 25 or earlier, the prior rules apply.
  • The Nevada Supreme Court issued an Order amending the Nevada Arbitration Rules (NAR) and Nevada Short Trial Rules (NSTR) to comport with Assembly Bill 3 (83rd Session 2025). https://caseinfo.nvsupremecourt.us/public/caseView.do?csIID=73876
  • Under Nevada Assembly Bill 3 (83rd Session 2025), cases valued at $100,000 or less remain in the arbitration program https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/83rd2025/Bill/11748/Overview
  • Arbitrator fees have increased.
  • Attorneys are reminded to ensure all forms are updated to reflect the changes for 2026 cases.
  • The $100,000 threshold does not apply to cases filed in 2025.
• New Automatic Arbitration Exemptions:
  The following claims are automatically exempt if properly pled in the complaint:
  1. Bad faith insurance practices seeking punitive damages
  2. Sexual assault or sexual battery
  3. Product liability
     If these claims are not clearly designated, parties may receive notice to file a request for exemption.
• Stipulations to Enter Arbitration Under New Rules:
  Commissioner Erin Truman noted that parties may stipulate to reenter the arbitration program and be governed by the new rules. For cases filed before 2026 involving claims between $50,000 and $100,000, the parties may submit a stipulation to a District Court Judge requesting that the matter be remanded to arbitration under the revised rules.
• Requests for Exemption – Higher Standard:
  The court is applying strict criteria to exemption requests. Bare-bones submissions will not suffice. Requests must include details. The court needs sufficient detail to properly evaluate each case. For example:
  • Detailed descriptions of injuries
  • Prognosis and ongoing symptoms
  • Treatment dates and specialists involved
  • Relevant quotations from medical records
    Medical records do not need to be attached, but key facts—such as surgical recommendations, significant MRI findings, or fractures—should be specifically identified.

• Judicial Assignments and Caseload:
  • Judge Jacob Reynolds will assume responsibility for one-third of probate cases as part of the reassignment of cases resulting from Judge Sturman’s retirement. Administrative Order has the full details on the case reassignment https://www.clarkcountycourts.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Administrative-Order-26-01-1.pdf
  • A question was asked about where closed cases go when a judge retires. When a judge retires, closed cases remain assigned to the department from which the judge retired.
• Operational Notes:
  • In response to a question submitted prior to the meeting on a backlog of writs and garnishments, research was done and the issue to found to result from staffing shortages in the Clerk’s Office. Work is underway to get staffed up.
  • Proper document coding is also important when entering those filings, as routing depends on those codes. Improper coding results in delays. The court provided a training session on codes and procedures that was well attended. The plan is to do another training in the future.
  • There was discussion regarding peremptory challenges.
  • A dedicated Zoom meeting number is now available for Civil Bench-Bar meetings.
  • Chief Judge Jerry Wiese acknowledged the District Court’s heavy workload and expressed appreciation for the judges’ efforts and the bar’s cooperation.
• Nevada Supreme Court Updates:
  Nathan Clause summarized recent Nevada Supreme Court opinions affecting civil practice.

Judge Clark-Newberry emphasized during the meeting: “We can’t fix things if we don’t know they’re broken.” The Civil Bench –Bar meetings provide the perfect opportunity to convey issues and ideas to continue to improve efficiency and effectiveness. The court encourages continued communication and active participation from the bar.