Utah Small Claims Online Dispute Resolution (ODR): How It Works

What ODR Is

Online Dispute Resolution is a mandatory, web-based negotiation platform used by certain Utah Justice Courts for small claims cases. When your court uses ODR, both sides communicate asynchronously through the state portal with the help of a court-appointed facilitator — before any trial date is set.

The idea is to resolve disputes without a courtroom hearing. In practice, ODR either produces a settlement agreement or, if negotiation fails, the case transitions to an in-person bench trial.

Which Courts Use ODR

Not every Justice Court in Utah runs ODR. Courts like Sandy Justice Court and Iron County Justice Court use it; many smaller rural courts don't.

There's no single list that stays current — courts opt in (and occasionally out) over time. The safest approach is to call the clerk of the Justice Court where you plan to file and ask directly. If your court uses ODR, you'll file Form 2001SC (the ODR-specific Affidavit and Summons) instead of the standard 1024XX series.

The Registration Deadlines

These are strict and non-negotiable:

• Plaintiff: Must register on the ODR portal within 7 calendar days of filing the Affidavit
• Defendant: Must register within 14 calendar days of being served

The portal is at pubapps.utcourts.gov/OnlineDisputeResolutionWEB. You'll need an account, and you'll upload documents, respond to messages, and negotiate through the platform.

Missing these windows has real consequences. If the defendant doesn't register within 14 days, you can file a Motion for Default Judgment (Form 2011SC) along with a Military Service Declaration — and the judge can enter judgment without a hearing.

If you miss the 7-day registration window, contact the court clerk promptly for instructions.

What Happens During ODR

Once both sides are registered, a court-appointed facilitator is assigned. The facilitator is a neutral court staff member — not a judge — who guides the online conversation, helps clarify the issues, and explores whether settlement is possible.

The process is asynchronous: you log in and respond on your own schedule. There's no requirement to be online at the same time as the other party. The facilitator may also arrange an optional video mediation call if both sides agree.

If you reach a settlement, both parties sign a formal Settlement Agreement through the platform. If the other side later defaults on the agreed payments, file a Motion to Enforce Settlement Agreement (Form 1033XX) and proposed Order (Form 1034XX). The settlement converts into an enforceable judgment when the judge signs the order.

Requesting an ODR Excusal

Not everyone can use an online platform. If you or the defendant have a disability, lack internet access, or face a language barrier that makes ODR impractical, you can file a Request to be Excused from Online Dispute Resolution (Form 3006SC).

A party seeking excusal must file the request within 7 calendar days of receiving service. If the court grants it, the case is removed from ODR and assigned a traditional trial date instead.

ODR vs. Non-ODR: The Key Differences

The biggest practical difference: ODR gives you more time to serve the defendant (120 days vs. working backward from a fixed trial date), but adds the registration deadlines that non-ODR courts don't have.

Why This Matters for Your Filing Strategy

If your court uses ODR, plan for registration immediately after filing. Don't wait until day 6 — technical issues, forgotten passwords, and portal confusion are real.

Also factor in the service timeline. With 120 days to serve the defendant, you have more breathing room than in a non-ODR court where you're racing a trial date. But that window still expires, and if your Proof of Service isn't filed within 120 days, the case is in jeopardy.

Our Utah Small Claims Filing Guide walks through both the ODR and non-ODR tracks step by step, including registration instructions and the exact forms for each scenario.

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