Rule 203. Procedure for Taking Judicial Notice

(a) Determining Propriety of Judicial Notice. Upon

timely request, a party is entitled to be heard as to the propriety

of taking judicial notice and the tenor of the matter noticed. In

the absence of proper notification, the request may be made

after judicial notice has been taken. In determining the

propriety of taking judicial notice on a matter or the tenor

thereof, the judge may consult and use any source of pertinent

information, whether or not furnished by a party.

(b) Time of Taking Notice. Judicial notice may be taken

at any stage of the proceeding.

(c) Instructing the Jury. In a civil action or proceeding,

the court shall instruct the jury to accept as conclusive any fact

judicially noticed. In a criminal case, the court shall instruct

the jury that it may, but it is not required to, accept as

conclusive any fact judicially noticed. Judicial notice of any

matter of law falling within the scope of Rule 202 shall be a

matter for the court and not the jury.

ARTICLE III. PRESUMPTIONS