Oregon Statutes 31.350 – Pleading requirements for actions against real estate licensees
(1) As used in this section, ‘real estate licensee’ has the meaning given that term in ORS § 696.010.
Terms Used In Oregon Statutes 31.350
- Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
- Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
- Counterclaim: A claim that a defendant makes against a plaintiff.
- Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
- Person: includes individuals, corporations, associations, firms, partnerships, limited liability companies and joint stock companies. See Oregon Statutes 174.100
- Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
- Statute of limitations: A law that sets the time within which parties must take action to enforce their rights.
- Testify: Answer questions in court.
(2) A complaint, cross-claim, counterclaim or third-party complaint asserting a claim of professional negligence against a real estate licensee for conduct occurring within the course and scope of the professional real estate activity for which the individual is licensed may not be filed unless the claimant’s attorney certifies that the attorney has consulted a real estate licensee who is qualified, available and willing to testify to admissible facts and opinions sufficient to create a question of fact as to the liability of the real estate licensee. The certification required by this section must be filed with or be made part of the original complaint, cross-claim, counterclaim or third-party complaint. The certification must contain a statement that a real estate licensee who is qualified to testify as to the standard of care applicable to the alleged facts, is available and willing to testify that:
(a) The alleged conduct of the real estate licensee failed to meet the standard of professional care applicable to the real estate licensee in the circumstances alleged; and
(b) The alleged conduct was a cause of the claimed damages, losses or other harm.
(3) In lieu of providing the certification described in subsection (2) of this section, the claimant’s attorney may file with the court at the time of filing a complaint, cross-claim, counterclaim or third-party complaint an affidavit that states:
(a) The applicable statute of limitations is about to expire;
(b) The certification required under subsection (2) of this section will be filed within 30 days after filing the complaint, cross-claim, counterclaim or third-party complaint or such longer time as the court may allow for good cause shown; and
(c) The attorney has made such inquiry as is reasonable under the circumstances and has made a good faith attempt to consult with at least one real estate licensee who is qualified to testify as to the standard of care applicable to the alleged facts, as required by subsection (2) of this section.
(4) Upon motion of the real estate licensee, the court shall enter judgment dismissing any complaint, cross-claim, counterclaim or third-party complaint against any real estate licensee who fails to comply with the requirements of this section.
(5) This section applies only to a complaint, cross-claim, counterclaim or third-party complaint against a real estate licensee by any plaintiff who:
(a) Has contracted with or otherwise employed the real estate licensee; or
(b) Is a person for whose benefit the real estate licensee performed services. [2005 c.277 § 1; 2007 c.319 § 25]
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