Supreme Court Rules

First Adopted: June 20, 1995

Most Recently Effective: January 01, 2023

Rule 5 | Rules Governing The Missouri Bar and the Judiciary | Complaints and Proceedings Thereon

5.10 | Resolution of Complaints

(a) The Chief Disciplinary Counsel may refer complaints that may be resolved best outside of Rule 5 proceedings to either The Missouri Bar Complaint Resolution Program or The Missouri Bar Lawyer-to-Lawyer Dispute Resolution Program, as provided for in Rule 7.16.

(b) If the matter is successfully resolved, no investigation shall be initiated by the Chief Disciplinary Counsel.

(c) The complaint shall be returned to the Chief Disciplinary Counsel if:

(1) The designated program determines that the matter is not successfully resolved;

(2) The attorney withdraws from participation or otherwise fails to fully cooperate with the process;

(3) The process reveals information that would require a report under Rule 4-8.3; or

(4) The designated program determines that the matter is no longer appropriate for resolution under this Rule 5.10. 

(d) When a complaint is referred to either program under this Rule by the Chief Disciplinary Counsel, records of all referrals, complaints, conferences, and proceedings shall be filed with the Chief Disciplinary Counsel and are subject to the confidentiality restrictions of Rule 5.31.


(Adopted June 20, 1995, effective January 1, 1996. Amended August 20, 1996, effective September 1, 1996; amended October 2, 2007, effective January 1, 2008; amended May 31, 2022, effective January 1, 2023.)
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