Rule 15-5. Order of Parties Proceeding at Trial

(a) Unless the judicial authority for cause permits otherwise, the parties shall proceed with the trial and argument in the following order:

(1) The plaintiff shall present a case-in-chief.

(2) The defendant may present a case-in-chief.

(3) The plaintiff and the defendant may present rebuttal evidence in successive rebuttals, as required. The judicial authority for cause may permit a party to present evidence not of a rebuttal nature, and if the plaintiff is permitted to present further evidence-in-chief, the defendant may respond with further evidence-in-chief.

(4) The plaintiff shall be entitled to make the opening and final closing arguments.

(5) The defendant may make a single closing argument following the opening argument of the plaintiff.

(b) If there are two or more plaintiffs or two or more defendants and they do not agree as to their order of proceeding, the judicial authority shall determine their order.

Committee Notes

(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 295.)