Rule 517 - Substitution of Parties(a) Parties. Except as provided in subsection (b), whenever a substitution of parties to a pending appeal is necessary other than by reason of death, it shall be made by proper proceedings instituted for the purpose in the trial court. On motion and the filing of a copy of the trial court's order of substitution, the appellate court shall enter a like order of substitution.(b) Public Officers. When a public officer is a party to an action in an official capacity and during its pendency dies, resigns, or otherwise ceases to hold office, the action does not abate and the officer's successor is automatically substituted as a party. Proceedings following the substitution shall be in the name of the substituted party, but any misnomer not affecting the substantial rights of the parties shall be disregarded. An order of substitution may be entered at any time, but the absence of such an order shall not affect the substitution.SCO 439 effective 11/15/1980; amened by SCO 1868, effective 4/15/2016