Motions for Reconsideration

Every so often a party will file a motion to reconsider after an issue is decided against a party. This is, in effect, an effort to re-argue a motion or topic. Some cases have observed that motions for consideration have no legal effect because the Missouri civil procedure rules do not recognize such a motion. Agenllo v. Walker, 306 S.W.3d 666, 674 (Mo. Ct. App. 2010). Those same cases discourage any procedural motion unauthorized by rule or law. Id.

Nevertheless, separate cases have found that Missouri “does not follow the doctrine that a motion once ruled cannot be reconsidered.” Nicholson v. Surrey Vacation Resorts, Inc., 463 S.W.3d 358, 365 (Mo. Ct. App. 2015). Before a “final judgment,” a court may open, amend, reverse or vacate an interlocutory order.

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