Oregon state courts adopt filing fee for motions

Litigation is about to get a little more expensive in Oregon.  Starting  February 1, a filing fee must accompany certain motions and responses to motions in state court.  The fees -- $50 for motions and $35 for responses -- apply to filings including Rule 21 motions to dismiss, summary judgment motions, and motions to compel discovery. 

House Bill 2331, passed in 2007, authorized these new fees.  A committee appointed by Chief Justice Paul DeMuniz determined that the motions subject to the fees are less likely to be used by pro se parties, and tend to require significant judge time. 

See a complete list of motions subject to the fees and more details at the Oregon Judicial Department web site.