Guides
General information about Utah law. Not legal advice.
The appeal, step by step
The sequence a records appeal runs through, from the denial to the courthouse door.
Every stage below sits with the director of the Government Records Office. Who the director is, and how the office compares with the committee it replaced, is covered in Who decides, and how.
The chief administrative officer denies the request
The clock starts on the entity's decision. If the entity does not issue one, the appeal window opens instead once the time to respond has run.
Notice of appeal
Filed with the director within 30 days of the decision, or 45 days if the entity did not issue one.
§ 63G-2-403(1)The hearing is scheduled
Set for a date at least 16 and no more than 64 days out, sooner for good cause. The director may decline to schedule at all where the same record series has already been held properly classified, a screen the committee's rules did not contain.
§ 63G-2-403(4)The hearing
Committee hearings were public meetings under the Open and Public Meetings Act, decided by a panel needing five members for a quorum. The director's hearings are open by rule "in substantially the same manner," and the director decides alone.
§ 63G-2-403(7)(b)The decision
Review of the chief administrative officer's decision is de novo, and a signed order is due within 7 business days of the hearing. If no decision issues within 73 calendar days, the appeal is deemed denied.
§ 63G-2-403(10), (11), (13)Judicial review
Either side may petition the district court within 30 days of the director's order. What the court does with the case, and what it costs to bring one, is set out in Judicial review and fees.
§ 63G-2-404