A. General Conduct.

  (1) All hearings shall be conducted in person unless otherwise provided.

  (2) All remote hearings are subject to the approval of the court and shall be consistent with the public’s access to the courts and as provided by Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-303(2).

  (3) These rules regarding remote hearings may be waived by the court.

  (4) All remote hearings shall be on the record unless otherwise provided. The parties may waive a verbatim record for any non-evidentiary hearing as allowed by Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-303(2) and  the Rules of Appellate Practice, § 2-105(A)(1).

  (5) The party requesting a remote hearing shall be responsible for making all arrangements which will allow all opposing parties to appear and shall bear all expense for the same.

  (6) Uniform District Court Rules § 6-1511(B) regarding attire shall apply to remote hearings.

  B. Non-evidentiary Hearings.

  (1) A party may request a remote hearing when no evidence will be offered by any party.

  To request a remote hearing, the moving party shall:

  (a) File a motion and notice of remote hearing, with a proposed order, at least 5 days prior to the scheduled hearing, certifying that all parties consent to the remote hearing and that no evidence will be offered at the hearing.

  (b) The moving party shall make all arrangements for the participation of the court and opposing parties at the hearing.

  (2) A party may request to appear remotely at a non-evidentiary hearing not originally scheduled as a remote hearing. If a request to appear remotely is desired, the moving party shall:

  (a) File a motion, at least 3 days prior to the hearing, with a proposed order allowing the same:

  (b) Certify in the motion that the moving party will not offer evidence;

  (c) Contact the appropriate court clerk/bailiff/court reporter to obtain a hearing time; and

  (d) Contact the court at the scheduled hearing time.

  C. Evidentiary Hearings Not Involving Oral Testimony.

  (1) The court, on its own motion, may order proceedings not involving the testimony of witnesses by oral examination to be held using remote technology.

  (2) A party may request a remote evidentiary hearing that does not involve testimony of witnesses by oral examination. To request a remote hearing, the moving party shall:

  (a) File a motion for remote hearing at least 7 days prior to the hearing; and

  (b) Certify in the motion that all parties consent to the remote hearing.

  (3) If a remote evidentiary hearing involving only documentary evidence is allowed, the party offering documentary evidence shall provide electronic copies of the exhibits in PDF format to the court reporter and all other parties at least 2 business days before the hearing. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in the court refusing to receive such exhibits upon offer.

  (4) The court may issue additional orders governing procedures and requirements for each individual hearing.

  D. Evidentiary Hearings Involving Oral Testimony.

  (1) Any remote hearing involving oral testimony will only be granted upon prior approval of the court based upon extraordinary circumstances.

  (2) The party requesting such hearing shall make arrangements to confer with both the court and opposing counsel/parties to discuss orders governing the procedures for such hearing.

Amended October 19, 2022; amendment approved May 15, 2024.