ARTICLE 10 - FORCIBLE ENTRY AND DETAINER

Any circuit court within the judicial district may inquire against those who make unlawful and forcible entry into lands and tenements and detain the same, or against those who, having a lawful and peaceable entry into lands or tenements, unlawfully or by force hold the same. If it is found that an unlawful and forcible entry was made and the lands or tenements are held by force, or that after a lawful entry the lands are held unlawfully, the judge shall require restitution to the complaining party.

(a) Proceedings for forcible entry and detainer may be had in any of the following cases:

(i) Against tenants holding over their terms or after a failure to pay rent for three (3) days after it is due;

(ii) In sales of real estate on execution, orders or other judicial process, including proceedings for the foreclosure of a mortgage by court action, when the judgment debtor was in possession at the time of rendition of the judgment or decree by virtue of which the sale was made;

(iii) When real estate has been sold under a power of sale contained in any mortgage or trust deed and the purchaser or his assignee has demanded possession;

(iv) Any sale by executors, administrators, guardians or on partition where any of the parties to the petition were in possession at the commencement of the suit, after the sale has been examined by the proper court and adjudged legal;

(v) In cases where the defendant is a settler or occupier of lands or tenements, without color of title, to which the complainant has the right of possession;

(vi) Against renters in violation of any terms imposed under W.S. 1-21-1204 or 1-21-1205.

(b) This section shall not be construed as limiting the provisions of W.S. 1-21-1201 through 1-21-1210.

The party desiring to commence an action for forcible entry or detainer must notify the adverse party to leave the premises involved. The notice shall be served at least three (3) days before commencing the action, by leaving a written copy with the defendant or at his usual place of abode or business if he cannot be found.

The summons shall state the cause of the complaint against the defendant, the time and place of trial and shall be served and returned as in other cases. Such service shall be not less than three (3) nor more than twelve (12) days before the day of trial set by the judge. The defendant shall not be required to file a written answer to the complaint as a condition of being allowed to participate fully in the trial.

If the defendant does not appear in accordance with a properly served summons the circuit court shall try the action as though he were present. Before proceeding, the plaintiff shall file a complaint in which he relies in order to recover the premises. The complaint must be sustained by proof or the action dismissed.

The defendant may, but is not required to, file a written answer to the plaintiff's complaint. Each party may be allowed to amend any complaint or answer the party files.

No continuance shall be granted the defendant for longer than two (2) days unless he gives a bond to the adverse party, with good and sufficient surety approved by the circuit court, conditioned for the payment of the rent that may accrue and costs if judgment is rendered against him.

(a) If the action is not continued, the place of trial changed or if neither party demands a jury, upon the return day of the summons the circuit court shall try the action. If the circuit court concludes that the complaint is not true, the court shall enter judgment against the plaintiff for costs. If the court finds the complaint true, it shall render a general judgment in favor of the plaintiff for restitution of the premises and costs. If the court finds the complaint true in part, it shall render judgment for restitution of that part only and the costs shall be taxed as deemed equitable.

(b) If the case is one based on failure to pay rent, the court shall further find the amount of rent due and payable at the time of the hearing, together with the terms and conditions of the agreement between the parties in relation to the amount and time of payment of rent. If the trial is by jury the verdict shall contain a finding of these facts and the court shall recite such findings in the docket entry of proceedings. The court, upon these findings, in addition to entering judgment for the plaintiff to have restitution, shall render judgment in accordance with the findings for the amount of rent found due, together with costs and attorney's fees as provided by the lease, and shall issue execution separate from the writ of restitution for the rent found due and costs as in other actions.

If a jury is demanded by either party, the proceedings shall be the same as in other cases until the empaneling thereof. If the jury finds the complaint true they shall render a general verdict against the defendant, and if untrue, a general verdict in favor of the defendant. If true in part, the verdict shall set forth the facts they find true.

The circuit court shall enter the verdict upon the docket and render judgment thereon.

Exceptions to the opinion of the circuit court on questions of law or evidence may be taken by either party, whether tried by a jury or the court.

When a judgment of restitution is entered by a circuit court, the court shall, at the request of the plaintiff, his agent or attorney, issue a writ of restitution thereon.

Unless the defendant takes an appeal, the officer shall execute the writ of restitution within two (2) days after receiving it, Sundays excepted, by restoring the plaintiff to possession of the premises. He shall levy and collect the execution for rent and costs and make return as upon other executions.

(a) If the officer receives notice from the circuit court that the proceedings have been stayed on appeal, he shall immediately delay all further proceedings upon execution and writ of restitution. If the premises have been restored to the plaintiff he shall immediately place the defendant in possession thereof and return the writ and execution with his proceedings and costs taxed thereon.

(b) An appeal by a defendant shall not stay the proceedings on judgment unless within forty-eight (48) hours after judgment, Sundays excepted, the appellant executes and files with the court his bond to plaintiff, with two (2) or more sufficient sureties approved by the court, conditioned that the appellant will pay all costs which have accrued or may thereafter accrue and all damages which plaintiff may have sustained or may thereafter sustain in consequence of the wrongful detention of the premises during the pendency of the appeal. Upon taking the appeal and filing the bond, all further proceedings in the case shall be stayed and the appellate court shall thereafter issue all writs and processes to carry out the judgment of the appellate court. The court in which the appeal is pending may require a new bond in a larger amount, with sureties approved by the appellate court, if deemed necessary to secure the rights of the parties.

(a) In appeals from the judgment of a circuit court for rents due and payable, in addition to the bond required by W.S. 1-21-1014, the appellant shall deposit with the court the amount of rent specified in the judgment. Unless the deposit is made, the appeal is not perfected and proceedings upon the judgment shall be had accordingly. If the appeal is perfected, the court shall transmit the deposit to the clerk of the appellate court with the papers in the case.

(b) Thereafter, when the rents become due, the appellant shall deposit them with the clerk of the appellate court. If at any time during the pendency of the appeal and before final judgment the appellant fails to make any deposit of rent at the time specified in the judgment appealed, the court in which such appeal is pending shall, upon such fact being made to appear, and upon motion and proof of such fact by the appellee, the appellate court shall affirm the judgment appealed from with costs. Proceedings shall thereupon be had as in like cases determined upon the merits and the rent money deposited paid to the plaintiff or his assignee upon order of the court.

The pendency of an action for forcible entry or detainer does not bar an action of ejectment.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law and subject to subsection (c) of this section, a business entity may represent itself without an attorney in any proceedings under this article that the business entity commences or is required to respond to or participate in, provided that:

(i) The business entity is represented by an owner, shareholder, member or partner;

(ii) The business entity owns a majority interest in the lands or tenements subject to the alleged unlawful and forcible entry;

(iii) The person representing the business entity may litigate actions on behalf of the business entity without an attorney, provided that if an attorney appears on behalf of the business entity, the opposing party is entitled to a continuance for the purpose of obtaining an attorney of its own; and

(iv) The business entity provides notice in writing to the court and all parties to the proceedings that it is being represented by an owner, shareholder, member or partner. The notice shall be signed by every owner, shareholder, member or partner of the business entity.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law or rule, any person who represents a business entity in an action or proceeding under this article in accordance with the provisions of this section shall not be deemed to have engaged in the unauthorized practice of law, provided that the person complies with the provisions of W.S. 33-5-117.