The federal rules of practice and procedure govern litigation in the federal courts. This site provides access to the federal rules and forms in effect, information on the rulemaking process (including proposed and pending rules amendments), and historical and archival records.
National federal rules and forms in effect, as well as links to local rules prescribed by district courts and courts of appeal.
The process for promulgating an amendment to a rule or form involves several levels of consideration and approval. Below are rules amendments currently under consideration at each step in the process.
The following rules were approved for publication by the Judicial Conference Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure on June 11, 2012. The public comment period opens August 15, 2012, and closes February 15, 2013.
From beginning to end, it usually takes two to three years for a suggestion to be enacted as a rule. This section explains the rulemaking process and its governing laws and procedures, provides information on the membership and meetings of the rules committees, and contains instructions on how to submit a suggestion for a rule amendment.
The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts archives and maintains the records of the Judicial Conference Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure and is charged with providing public access to the records.