Certifying Questions of State Law
U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont
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(a) Authorization. When authorized by state law, the court may certify to the state’s highest court an unsettled and significant question of state law that will control the outcome of a pending case. (b) Procedure. (1) Who May Certify.
The court may certify a question: (A) on its own motion; or (B) upon written motion of a party. (2) State Law Governs Certification Procedures. State law or court rules govern certification procedures. 32 (c) Stay.
The court may grant a stay pending the state court’s decision whether to accept the certified question and its decision of the certified question.