History of the Council

The original Council on Court Procedures drafted a comprehensive set of civil trial court rules bearing the title “Oregon Rules of Civil Procedure” (“ORCP”) for submission to the 1979 Legislature which, with a few changes, adopted them by statute to become effective Jan. 1, 1980. Since enactment of the original ORCP, the primary function of the Council has been to amend the ORCP from time to time whenever the need for, or utility of, amendment is demonstrated. ORCP amendments are formally reported to the Legislature at the beginning of each session. They become effective as law on the January 1 following adjournment of a session unless the Legislature, by statute, rescinds or modifies them. The Legislature has retained not only the power to rescind or modify ORCP amendments reported to it by the Council, but also to amend the ORCP on its own initiative, a power it has exercised from time to time.