NOTICE OF APPEARANCE

State of Arkansas -- Circuit Court

COURT HEADER AND CASE CAPTION

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF │
│ [________________________________] COUNTY, ARKANSAS │
│ [________________________________] DIVISION │
│ │
│ [________________________________], │
│ Plaintiff(s), │
│ │
│ vs. Case No. [______________________] │
│ │
│ [________________________________], │
│ Defendant(s). │
│ │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Select Division:

☐ Civil Division
☐ Domestic Relations Division
☐ Probate Division
☐ Juvenile Division
☐ Criminal Division
☐ Other: [________________________________]

NOTICE OF APPEARANCE OF COUNSEL

TO THE CLERK OF THE COURT AND ALL PARTIES AND COUNSEL OF RECORD:

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the undersigned attorney hereby enters an appearance in the above-captioned matter on behalf of [________________________________] ("Client"), pursuant to Arkansas Rules of Civil Procedure, Rules 5 and 11, and provides the following information:

1. ATTORNEY INFORMATION

Note: Pursuant to Administrative Order No. 15, the attorney's Arkansas Supreme Court ID must appear on every pleading filed with the court.

2. CLIENT AND PARTY INFORMATION

The undersigned attorney enters this appearance on behalf of:

Client Name: [________________________________]

Client's Role in this Matter:

☐ Plaintiff
☐ Defendant
☐ Third-Party Plaintiff
☐ Third-Party Defendant
☐ Cross-Claimant
☐ Cross-Defendant
☐ Counter-Claimant
☐ Intervenor
☐ Respondent
☐ Petitioner
☐ Other: [________________________________]

3. TYPE OF APPEARANCE

A. General Appearance

☐ General Appearance -- The undersigned enters a general appearance on behalf of the above-named Client and will represent the Client in all aspects of this matter. This appearance constitutes submission to the jurisdiction of this Court.

B. Special Appearance

☐ Special Appearance -- The undersigned enters a special appearance for the sole purpose of:

☐ Contesting personal jurisdiction under Ark. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(2)
☐ Contesting insufficiency of process under Ark. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(4)
☐ Contesting insufficiency of service of process under Ark. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(5)
☐ Contesting improper venue under Ark. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(3)
☐ Other jurisdictional challenge: [________________________________]

CAUTION: Under Arkansas law, a special appearance to challenge jurisdiction must be made before or simultaneously with any other appearance. Participation in proceedings on the merits may constitute a waiver of jurisdictional objections.

C. Limited Scope Representation

☐ Limited Scope Appearance -- Pursuant to Ark. R. Civ. P. 87(b), the undersigned enters a limited appearance. The scope of this representation is limited to:

☐ Specific hearing or proceeding on [__/__/____]
☐ Specific motion(s): [________________________________]
☐ Discovery matters only
☐ Mediation or settlement negotiations only
☐ Trial only
☐ Post-judgment matters only
☐ Appeal only
☐ Other specific limitation: [________________________________]

Description of limitation: [________________________________]

Anticipated termination date or event: [________________________________]

Note: Under Ark. R. Civ. P. 87(b), the limited scope of representation must be clearly stated. The attorney's obligation to the client and the court is limited to the matters specified. The attorney must file a notice of completion or withdrawal when the limited scope representation concludes.

4. ELECTRONIC SERVICE AND eFLEX REGISTRATION

Pursuant to Administrative Order No. 21, Section 7, regarding mandatory electronic filing:

☐ The undersigned ACCEPTS electronic service through the Arkansas Judiciary eFlex system. The designated e-service email address is: [________________________________]

☐ The undersigned DECLINES electronic service through eFlex. All service must be made in compliance with Ark. R. Civ. P. 5(b) by traditional methods.

eFlex Registration Status:

☐ Attorney is registered with eFlex and will file and receive service electronically.
☐ Attorney is in the process of registering with eFlex.
☐ Attorney claims exemption from mandatory e-filing (specify basis): [________________________________]

eFlex Registration Information:
- A one-time registration fee of $100.00 is required for eFlex account registration.
- Register at https://eflex.arcourts.gov
- eFlex is the electronic filing system implemented in courts using the Contexte Case Management System.
- Confirm that your county's circuit court is currently participating in eFlex e-filing before attempting electronic submission.

Counties Currently on eFlex: Check https://arcourts.gov/administration/acap/efile for the current list of participating courts.

5. SUBSTITUTION OR ADDITIONAL COUNSEL

☐ This is a new appearance -- no prior counsel has appeared for this Client.

☐ This is an additional appearance -- the undersigned is appearing as co-counsel alongside: [________________________________] (Ark. Bar No. [________________________________]).

☐ This is a substitution of counsel -- the undersigned is replacing:

A separate Notice of Substitution is being filed concurrently in compliance with Ark. R. Civ. P. 64(b).

☐ Client previously appeared pro se. The undersigned now enters an appearance to replace the Client's self-representation.

6. PRO HAC VICE ADMISSION (Out-of-State Attorneys)

☐ Not applicable -- attorney is a member in good standing of the Arkansas Bar.

☐ The undersigned out-of-state attorney seeks to appear pro hac vice pursuant to Arkansas Supreme Court Rule XIV (Practice by Comity / Pro Hac Vice).

Pro Hac Vice Requirements (Rule XIV):

☐ A Verified Application for admission pro hac vice has been prepared.
☐ A Certificate of Good Standing from the applicant's home state bar is attached.
☐ The fee of $200.00 per case has been submitted to the Arkansas State Bar.
☐ The non-resident lawyer's home state affords comity to Arkansas lawyers.
☐ A copy of the Verified Application and Certificate of Good Standing has been sent to the Clerk of the Arkansas Supreme Court.
☐ The State Bar Statement (returned by the State Bar after processing) will be attached to the Motion to Associate filed in this Court.

Required Local Counsel:

Note: Local counsel is required in conjunction with pro hac vice practice in Arkansas courts. Local counsel must be a member in good standing of the Arkansas Bar.

7. SERVICE REQUEST

The Clerk of the Court and all counsel of record are respectfully requested to direct all future pleadings, motions, notices, orders, and other communications to the undersigned at the address, email, and/or eFlex account identified in Section 1 above.

8. SIGNATURE BLOCK

DATED: [__/__/____]

Respectfully submitted,

[________________________________]
(Law Firm Name)

By: ________________________________________
[________________________________]
Ark. Bar No. [________________________________]
Arkansas Supreme Court ID: [________________________________]
Attorney for [________________________________]

Address: [________________________________]
[________________________________], AR [________]
Phone: [________________________________]
Email: [________________________________]

9. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I hereby certify that on [__/__/____], the foregoing NOTICE OF APPEARANCE was filed using the Arkansas eFlex electronic filing system, which will send notice to all registered users, and/or was served upon the following parties by the method(s) indicated, in accordance with Ark. R. Civ. P. 5:

________________________________________
[________________________________]
Ark. Bar No. [________________________________]

PRACTITIONER NOTES AND GUIDANCE

Arkansas Court Structure

Arkansas has 28 judicial circuits, each with a Circuit Court that serves as the court of general jurisdiction. Circuit Courts are divided into divisions.

eFlex E-Filing System

• System: eFlex is the electronic filing system for Arkansas courts using the Contexte Case Management System.
• Registration Fee: A one-time $100.00 registration fee is required.
• Availability: Not all counties are currently on eFlex. Check the Arkansas Judiciary website for participating courts.
• Filing Time: Documents filed through eFlex before 11:59 PM Central Time are considered filed that day.
• Service: When filing through eFlex, the system sends electronic notification to all registered parties, which may constitute service.
• Support: eFlex resources are available at https://eflex.arcourts.gov/eflexCRResources/

Appearance vs. Answer Deadlines

• Filing a Notice of Appearance does NOT extend the deadline to file a responsive pleading.
• Under Ark. R. Civ. P. 12(a), the defendant must serve an answer within 30 days after service of summons and complaint.
• If a waiver of service is filed under Ark. R. Civ. P. 4(d), the time to answer is 60 days from the date the request for waiver was sent.

Limited Scope Representation (Rule 87)

• Ark. R. Civ. P. 87 expressly authorizes limited scope representation in civil cases.
• The limited scope must be clearly described in the entry of appearance.
• Attorneys must file a notice of completion when the limited representation ends.
• The court and opposing counsel are entitled to rely on the stated scope of representation.

Substitution and Withdrawal of Counsel

• Under Ark. R. Civ. P. 64(b), when new counsel replaces another attorney, a separate Notice/Substitution must be filed.
• Withdrawal of counsel requires leave of court unless another attorney is simultaneously substituting.
• The withdrawing attorney must provide reasonable notice to the client and the court.

Administrative Order No. 15 -- Attorney ID Requirements

• Every pleading filed with the court must include the attorney's Arkansas Supreme Court ID number.
• This ID is separate from and in addition to the Arkansas Bar number.
• Failure to include the Supreme Court ID may result in the pleading being returned or stricken.

County-Specific Notes

Key Practice Tips

1. Dual ID Numbers: Include both your Arkansas Bar Number and your Arkansas Supreme Court Attorney ID on all filings per Administrative Order No. 15.
2. eFlex Availability: Before filing electronically, confirm your county participates in eFlex. Non-participating counties still require paper filing.
3. Pro Se Transition: When a client transitions from pro se to represented status, file the Notice of Appearance promptly and confirm with the clerk that the service list is updated.
4. Comity Requirement: For pro hac vice admission, the out-of-state attorney's home state must afford comity to Arkansas lawyers. Verify this before filing the application.
5. Local Administrative Plans: Each circuit may have its own local administrative plan with specific requirements. Check with the circuit clerk for local rules.
6. Proof of Service: Retain eFlex filing confirmations and other proof of service for all filings.

SOURCES AND REFERENCES

• Arkansas Judiciary Electronic Filing: https://arcourts.gov/administration/acap/efile
• Arkansas eFlex Resources: https://eflex.arcourts.gov/eflexCRResources/
• Arkansas Supreme Court Rule XIV (Pro Hac Vice): https://www.arcourts.gov/sites/default/files/formatted-files/Form_and_Instructions_Rule_XIV_pro_hac_vice.pdf
• Administrative Order No. 21 (Electronic Filing): https://arcourts.gov
• Arkansas Bar Association eFiling Resources: https://www.arkbar.com/resources/for-attorneys-efile