Federal

Civil
Rules
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2010 Edition

Includes:
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
Official Forms
Federal Rules of Evidence
Select Provisions of U.S.C. Title 28
United States Constitution
(with amendments received through Dec. 1, 2009, Pub.L. 111-112)

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 Contents

Federal Civil Rules Update.....................................................................................6

Federal Rules of Civil Procedure........................................................................... 9
Appendix of Forms.............................................................................................109
Supplemental Rules for Admiralty or Maritime Claims and Asset
Forfeiture Actions............................................................................................128
Federal Rules of Evidence..................................................................................143
United States Code, Title 28, Chapter 85 (District Courts, Jurisdiction)............171
United States Code, Title 28, Chapter 87 (District Courts, Venue)....................187
United States Code, Title 28, Chapter 89 (District Courts, Removal)................195
United States Code, Title 28, Chapter 111 (General Provisions*)......................201
United States Code, Title 28, Chapter 131 (Rules of Court*)............................201
Constitution of the United States........................................................................203
Index...................................................................................................................217

*Selected provisions

5
Civil Rules Update
FEDERAL Civil Rules Update
Summary of Changes to the Federal Rules of
Civil Procedure since Dec. 1, 2008.
On March 26, 2009, the Supreme Court approved amendments to the following rules:
6, 12, 13, 14, 15, 23, 27, 32, 38, 48, 50, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 59, 62, 65, 68, 71.1, 72, and 81,
and new Rule 62.1, and Supplemental Rules B, C, and G, and Illustrative Civil Forms 3, 4,
and 60. The amendments went into effect on December 1, 2009. A brief description of the
amendments, excerpted from an earlier Judicial Conference committee report, appears below.
The Time Computation Amendments*
The principal simplifying change in the amended time-computation rules is the adop-
tion of a “days-are-days” approach to computing all time periods. Under some of the current
rules, intermediate weekends and holidays are omitted when computing short periods but
included when computing longer periods. By contrast, under the proposed rules amend-
ments, intermediate weekends and holidays are counted regardless of the length of the
specified period.
Other changes in the amended time-computation rules clarify how to count forward
when the period measured is after an event (for example, 21 days after service of a motion)
and the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday; and how to count backward when the pe-
riod measured is before an event (for example, 14 days before a scheduled hearing) and the
deadline falls on a weekend or holiday. The proposed amendments also provide for comput-
ing hourly time periods, to address recent legislation affecting court proceedings in which
deadlines are expressed in hours (for example, 72 hours for action).
The amended time-computation rules also fill a gap in the present rules by address-
ing the special timing considerations that accompany electronic filing. Under the proposed
amendments, unless a statute, local rule, or court order provides otherwise, the last day of
a period for an electronic filing ends at midnight in the court’s time zone, while the last day
for a paper filing ends when the clerk’s office is scheduled to close.... Filing deadlines are
extended if the clerk’s office is inaccessible. The proposed amendments provide a court with
flexibility to define when a deadline should be adjusted or a failure to comply with a deadline
should be excused because the clerk’s office was “inaccessible.” The proposed amendments
and the Committee Notes do not specify the meaning of “inaccessibility,” which can vary
depending on whether a filing is electronic or paper, leaving the definition to local rules and
case law development.
The advisory committees also reviewed every rule to ensure that all time periods
would be reasonable taking into account the effect of changing the time-computation meth-
od. The advisory committees concluded that virtually all short time deadlines should be
extended to adjust for the effect of including intermediate weekends and holidays in cal-
culating deadlines. To further simplify time-counting, the advisory committees proposed
changing most periods of less than 30 days to multiples of 7 days. The advisory commit-
tees adopted 7, 14, 21, and 28-day periods when possible, so that deadlines will usually
fall on weekdays.
****

*  Excerpted from the September 2008 Report of the Judicial Conference, Committee on Rules of Practice and
Procedure, to the Chief Justice of the United States and members of the Judicial Conference of the United States.

6
 Civil Rules Update
The advisory committee ... proposed amendments to Rules 6, 12, 14, 15, 23, 27, 32,
38, 50, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 59, 62, 65, 68, 71.1, 72, 81, Supplemental Rules B, C, and G,
and Illustrative Forms 3, 4, and 60 as part of the time-computation project with a recom-
mendation that they be approved and transmitted to the Judicial Conference. The proposed
amendment to Rule 6 simplifies and clarifies the general time-computation method. The
proposed amendments to the other rules adjust time periods consistent with the change to the
time-computation method.
The proposed adjustments to the time periods in the rules are minor—accounting for
the inclusion of holidays and weekends in the time-computation method and the preference
for expressing periods in multiples of seven days—with some exceptions noted below. The
following adjustments are proposed:
• The one-day period in Rule 6(c)(2) becomes seven days. The adjustment would ex-
tend the time for a party to serve any affidavit opposing a motion to seven days before
a hearing.
• The one-day period in Rule 54(d) becomes 14 days. The increased time period
corrects an unrealistic short time period for the clerk to give notice before taxing
costs.
• The three-day period in Rule 55 becomes seven days.
• Five-day periods in Rules 32, 54, and 81 become seven days.
• The five-day period in Rule 6(c)(1) becomes 14 days. The adjustment extends the
time for a party to serve a written motion and notice of hearing before the scheduled
hearing date.
• Ten-day periods in Rules 12, 14, 15, 23, 38, 59(c), 62, 65, 68, 72, 81, and Supplemen-
tal Rule C become 14 days.
• Ten-day periods in Rules 50, 52, and 59(b), (d), and (e) become 28-day periods.
The adjustment extends the present inadequate time allowed to prepare and file
postjudgment motions. To prevent unfair results from these unrealistic short time
periods, courts have avoided the rule by delaying entry of judgment or permitting
timely filing of a barebones motion but permitting the brief to expand the stated
grounds.
• The less-than-11-day period in Rule 32 becomes less than 14 days.
• Twenty-day periods in Rules 12, 15, 27, 53, 71.1, 81, Forms 3, 4, and 60, and Supple-
mental Rules B, C and G become 21 days.
• Rule 6(b)’s reference to provisions for extending the times set by enumerated provi-
sions in Rules 50, 52, 59, and 60, and Rule 59(c)’s reference to a 20-day extension
are eliminated.
• The timing provisions in Rules 56(a) and (c) are replaced by new provisions that
recognize authority to set deadlines for summary-judgment motions by local rule or
by court order and, in default of a local rule or court order, that allow a motion to be
made at any time until 30 days after the close of all discovery. The new provisions
also establish default times for response and reply.
The Committee concurred with the advisory committee’s recommendations.
****

7
Civil Rules Update
The Non-Time Computation Amendments*
The Advisory Committee on Civil Rules submitted proposed amendments to Rules
13(f), 15(a), 48(c), and 81(d), and proposed new Rule 62.1 with a recommendation that they
be approved and transmitted to the Judicial Conference.
****
The proposed amendment to Rule 13 deletes subdivision (f), which sets out standards
for amending pleadings to add a counterclaim. The subdivision is redundant of Rule 15,
which sets out standards for amending pleadings in general. The proposed change codifies
courts’ practice of applying uniform standards to the amendment of pleadings.
The proposed amendment to Rule 15(a) limits the time when a party may amend a
pleading to which a responsive pleading is required once as a matter of course. The proposal
eliminates the distinction drawn by present Rule 15(a), under which a responsive pleading
immediately cuts off the right to amend, while a Rule 12 motion does not cut off the right
and prolongs the time to amend a pleading until the motion is resolved. Significant problems
can arise when a party files an amended pleading as a matter of right on the eve of a court’s
ruling on a dispositive Rule 12 motion. Under the proposed amendment, a party may file an
amended pleading without leave of court within 21 days after service of a responsive plead-
ing or 21 days after service of a Rule 12 motion, whichever is earlier. After that, a party may
file an amended pleading only with leave of court.
The proposed amendment to Rule 48 adds a provision similar to that in corresponding
Criminal Rule 31 that allows a court to poll the jury individually on its own and requires a
poll at a party’s request.
Proposed new Rule 62.1 is integrated with the parallel proposed new Appellate Rule 12.1.
Proposed Rule 62.1 codifies and makes consistent practices followed in almost all circuits
when a motion is made regarding a matter that the district court is in a better position to deter-
mine than the court of appeals, but the district court judge cannot rule on the motion because
an appeal has been filed and jurisdiction invested in the court of appeals. The district court may
defer ruling, deny the motion, or either indicate that it would be inclined to grant the motion
if the case were remanded (the so-called indicative ruling) or state that the motion raises a
substantial issue. Requests for indicative rulings typically arise when a party files a Rule 60(b)
motion after an appeal has been filed. The procedure facilitates cooperation between the dis-
trict court and the court of appeals, enabling them to determine whether it is better to decide the
appeal before deciding the motion. A party must notify the court of appeals if the district court
states that it would grant the postjudgment motion or that the motion raises a substantial issue.
The proposed amendment to Rule 81 clarifies the definition of “state” to include not
only the District of Columbia but also any United States commonwealth or territory.
****

Summary of Changes to the Federal Rules of

Evidence since Dec. 1, 2008.
As of the time of publication, there were no amendments to the Federal Rules of Evi-
dence received by the publisher.

*  Excerpted from the September 2008 Report of the Judicial Conference, Committee on Rules of Practice and
Procedure, to the Chief Justice of the United States and members of the Judicial Conference of the United States.
8
 FRCP Table
RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE
for the United States District Courts*
[Effective September 16, 1938, as amended to December 1, 2009]
Table of Titles

I. Scope of Rules; Form of Action.

II. Commencing an Action; Service of Process, Pleadings, Motions, and Orders.
III. Pleadings and Motions.
IV. Parties.
V. Disclosures and Discovery.
VI. Trials.
VII. Judgment.
VIII. Provisional and Final Remedies.
IX. Special Proceedings.
X. District Courts and Clerks: Conducting Business; Issuing Orders.
XI. General Provisions.

Table of Rules
TITLE I. SCOPE OF RULES; FORM OF ACTION
Rule 1. Scope and Purpose
Rule 2. One Form of Action
TITLE II. COMMENCING AN ACTION; SERVICE OF
PROCESS, PLEADINGS, MOTIONS, AND ORDERS
Rule 3. Commencing an Action
Rule 4. Summons
(a) Contents; Amendments.
(1) Contents.
(2) Amendments.
(b) Issuance.
(c) Service.
(1) In General.
(2) By Whom.
(3) By a Marshal or Someone Specially Appointed.
(d) Waiving Service.
(1) Requesting a Waiver.
(2) Failure to Waive.
(3) Time to Answer After a Waiver.
(4) Results of Filing a Waiver.
(5) Jurisdiction and Venue Not Waived.
(e) Serving an Individual Within a Judicial District of the United States.
(f) Serving an Individual in a Foreign Country.
(g) Serving a Minor or an Incompetent Person.
(h) Serving a Corporation, Partnership, or Association.
(i) Serving the United States and Its Agencies, Corporations, Officers, or Employees.
(1) United States.
(2) Agency; Corporation; Officer or Employee Sued in an Official Capacity.
(3) Officer or Employee Sued Individually.

* Title amended December 29, 1948, effective October 20, 1949.

9
FRCP Table
(4) Extending Time.
(j) Serving a Foreign, State, or Local Government.
(1) Foreign State.
(2) State or Local Government.
(k) Territorial Limits of Effective Service.
(1) In General.
(2) Federal Claim Outside State-Court Jurisdiction.
(l) Proving Service.
(1) Affidavit Required.
(2) Service Outside the United States.
(3) Validity of Service; Amending Proof.
(m) Time Limit for Service.
(n) Asserting Jurisdiction over Property or Assets.
(1) Federal Law.
(2) State Law.
Rule 4.1. Serving Other Process
(a) In General. Process
(b) Enforcing Orders: Committing for Civil Contempt.
Rule 5. Serving and Filing Pleadings and Other Papers
(a) Service: When Required.
(1) In General.
(2) If a Party Fails to Appear.
(3) Seizing Property.
(b) Service: How Made.
(1) Serving an Attorney.
(2) Service in General.
(3) Using Court Facilities.
(c) Serving Numerous Defendants.
(1) In General.
(2) Notifying Parties.
(d) Filing.
(1) Required Filings; Certificate of Service.
(2) How Filing Is Made—In General.
(3) Electronic Filing, Signing, or Verification.
(4) Acceptance by the Clerk.
Rule 5.1. Constitutional Challenge to a Statute—Notice, Certification, and Intervention
(a) Notice by a Party.
(b) Certification by the Court.
(c) Intervention; Final Decision on the Merits.
(d) No Forfeiture.
Rule 5.2. Privacy Protection For Filings Made with the Court
(a) Redacted Filings.
(b) Exemptions from the Redaction Requirement.
(c) Limitations on Remote Access to Electronic Files; Social-Security Appeals
and Immigration Cases.
(d) Filings Made Under Seal.
(e) Protective Orders.
(f) Option for Additional Unredacted Filing Under Seal.
(g) Option for Filing a Reference List.
(h) Waiver of Protection of Identifiers.
Rule 6. Computing and Extending Time; Time for Motion Papers
(a) Computing Time.

10
 FRCP Table
(1) Period Stated in Days or a Longer Unit.
(2) Period Stated in Hours.
(3) Inaccessibility of the Clerk’s Office.
(4) “Last Day” Defined.
(5) “Next Day” Defined.
(6) “Legal Holiday” Defined.
(b) Extending Time.
(1) In General.
(2) Exceptions.
(c) Motions, Notices of Hearing, and Affidavits.
(1) In General.
(2) Supporting Affidavit.
(d) Additional Time After Certain Kinds of Service.
TITLE III. PLEADINGS AND MOTIONS
Rule 7. Pleadings Allowed; Form of Motions and Other Papers
(a) Pleadings.
(b) Motions and Other Papers.
(1) In General.
(2) Form.
Rule 7.1. Disclosure Statement
(a) Who Must File; Contents.
(b) Time to File; Supplemental Filing.
Rule 8. General Rules of Pleading
(a) Claim for Relief.
(b) Defenses; Admissions and Denials.
(1) In General.
(2) Denials—Responding to the Substance.
(3) General and Specific Denials.
(4) Denying Part of an Allegation.
(5) Lacking Knowledge or Information.
(6) Effect of Failing to Deny.
(c) Affirmative Defenses.
(1) In General.
(2) Mistaken Designation.
(d) Pleading to Be Concise and Direct; Alternative Statements; Inconsistency.
(1) In General.
(2) Alternative Statements of a Claim or Defense.
(3) Inconsistent Claims or Defenses.
(e) Construing Pleadings.
Rule 9. Pleading Special Matters
(a) Capacity or Authority to Sue; Legal Existence.
(1) In General.
(2) Raising Those Issues.
(b) Fraud or Mistake; Conditions of Mind.
(c) Conditions Precedent.
(d) Official Document or Act.
(e) Judgment.
(f) Time and Place.
(g) Special Damages.
(h) Admiralty or Maritime Claim.
(1) How Designated.
(2) Designation for Appeal.
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FRCP Table
Rule 10. Form of Pleadings
(a) Caption; Names of Parties.
(b) Paragraphs; Separate Statements.
(c) Adoption by Reference; Exhibits.
Rule 11. Signing Pleadings, Motions, and Other Papers; Representations to the Court;
Sanctions
(a) Signature.
(b) Representations to the Court.
(c) Sanctions.
(1) In General.
(2) Motion for Sanctions.
(3) On the Court’s Initiative.
(4) Nature of a Sanction.
(5) Limitations on Monetary Sanctions.
(6) Requirements for an Order.
(d) Inapplicability to Discovery.
Rule 12. Defenses and Objections: When and How Presented; Motion for Judgment on the
Pleadings; Consolidating Motions; Waiving Defenses; Pretrial Hearing
(a) Time to Serve a Responsive Pleading.
(1) In General.
(2) United States and Its Agencies, Officers, or Employees Sued in an Of-
ficial Capacity.
(3) United States Officers or Employees Sued in an Individual Capac-
ity.
(4) Effect of a Motion.
(b) How to Present Defenses.
(c) Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings.
(d) Result of Presenting Matters Outside the Pleadings.
(e) Motion for a More Definite Statement.
(f) Motion to Strike.
(g) Joining Motions.
(1) Right to Join.
(2) Limitation on Further Motions.
(h) Waiving and Preserving Certain Defenses.
(1) When Some Are Waived.
(2) When to Raise Others.
(3) Lack of Subject-Matter Jurisdiction.
(i) Hearing Before Trial.
Rule 13. Counterclaim and Crossclaim
(a) Compulsory Counterclaim.
(1) In General.
(2) Exceptions.
(b) Permissive Counterclaim.
(c) Relief Sought in a Counterclaim.
(d) Counterclaim Against the United States.
(e) Counterclaim Maturing or Acquired After Pleading.
(f) [Abrogated.]
(g) Crossclaim Against a Coparty.
(h) Joining Additional Parties.
(i) Separate Trials; Separate Judgments.
Rule 14. Third-Party Practice
(a) When a Defending Party May Bring in a Third Party.
(1) Timing of the Summons and Complaint.
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 FRCP Table
(2) Third-Party Defendant’s Claims and Defenses.
(3) Plaintiff’s Claims Against a Third-Party Defendant.
(4) Motion to Strike, Sever, or Try Separately.
(5) Third-Party Defendant’s Claim Against a Nonparty.
(6) Third-Party Complaint In Rem.
(b) When a Plaintiff May Bring in a Third Party.
(c) Admiralty or Maritime Claim.
(1) Scope of Impleader.
(2) Defending Against a Demand for Judgment for the Plaintiff.
Rule 15. Amended and Supplemental Pleadings
(a) Amendments Before Trial.
(1) Amending as a Matter of Course.
(2) Other Amendments.
(3) Time to Respond.
(b) Amendments During and After Trial.
(1) Based on an Objection at Trial.
(2) For Issues Tried by Consent.
(c) Relation Back of Amendments.
(1) When an Amendment Relates Back.
(2) Notice to the United States.
(d) Supplemental Pleadings.
Rule 16. Pretrial Conferences; Scheduling; Management
(a) Purposes of a Pretrial Conference.
(b) Scheduling.
(1) Scheduling Order.
(2) Time to Issue.
(3) Contents of the Order.
(A) Required Contents.
(B) Permitted Contents.
(4) Modifying a Schedule.
(c) Attendance and Matters for Consideration at a Pretrial Conference.
(1) Attendance.
(2) Matters for Consideration.
(d) Pretrial Orders.
(e) Final Pretrial Conference and Orders.
(f) Sanctions.
(1) In General.
(2) Imposing Fees and Costs.
TITLE IV. PARTIES
Rule 17. Plaintiff and Defendant; Capacity; Public Officers
(a) Real Party in Interest.
(1) Designation in General.
(2) Action in the Name of the United States for Another’s Use or Benefit.
(3) Joinder of the Real Party in Interest.
(b) Capacity to Sue or Be Sued.
(c) Minor or Incompetent Person.
(1) With a Representative.
(2) Without a Representative.
(d) Public Officer’s Title and Name.
Rule 18. Joinder of Claims
(a) In General.
(b) Joinder of Contingent Claims.
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FRCP Table
Rule 19. Required Joinder of Parties
(a) Persons Required to Be Joined if Feasible.
(1) Required Party.
(2) Joinder by Court Order.
(3) Venue.
(b) When Joinder Is Not Feasible.
(c) Pleading the Reasons for Nonjoinder.
(d) Exception for Class Actions. This rule is subject to Rule 23.
Rule 20. Permissive Joinder of Parties
(a) Persons Who May Join or Be Joined.
(1) Plaintiffs.
(2) Defendants.
(3) Extent of Relief.
(b) Protective Measures.
Rule 21. Misjoinder and Nonjoinder of Parties
Rule 22. Interpleader
(a) Grounds.
(1) By a Plaintiff.
(2) By a Defendant.
(b) Relation to Other Rules and Statutes.
Rule 23. Class Actions
(a) Prerequisites.
(b) Types of Class Actions.
(c) Certification Order; Notice to Class Members; Judgment; Issues Classes; Subclasses.
(1) Certification Order.
(A) Time to Issue.
(B) Defining the Class; Appointing Class Counsel.
(C) Altering or Amending the Order.
(2) Notice.
(A) For (b)(1) or (b)(2) Classes.
(B) For (b)(3) Classes.
(3) Judgment.
(4) Particular Issues.
(5) Subclasses.
(d) Conducting the Action.
(1) In General.
(2) Combining and Amending Orders.
(e) Settlement, Voluntary Dismissal, or Compromise.
(f) Appeals.
(g) Class Counsel.
(1) Appointing Class Counsel.
(2) Standard for Appointing Class Counsel.
(3) Interim Counsel.
(4) Duty of Class Counsel.
(h) Attorney’s Fees and Nontaxable Costs.
Rule 23.1. Derivative Actions
(a) Prerequisites.
(b) Pleading Requirements.
(c) Settlement, Dismissal, and Compromise.
Rule 23.2. Actions Relating to Unincorporated Associations
Rule 24. Intervention
(a) Intervention of Right.
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 FRCP Table
(b) Permissive Intervention.
(1) In General.
(2) By a Government Officer or Agency.
(3) Delay or Prejudice.
(c) Notice and Pleading Required.
Rule 25. Substitution of Parties
(a) Death.
(1) Substitution if the Claim Is Not Extinguished.
(2) Continuation Among the Remaining Parties.
(3) Service.
(b) Incompetency.
(c) Transfer of Interest.
(d) Public Officers; Death or Separation from Office.
TITLE V. DISCLOSURES AND DISCOVERY
Rule 26. Duty to Disclose; General Provisions Governing Discovery
(a) Required Disclosures.
(1) Initial Disclosure.
(A) In General.
(B) Proceedings Exempt from Initial Disclosure.
(C) Time for Initial Disclosures—In General.
(D) Time for Initial Disclosures—For Parties Served or Joined Later.
(E) Basis for Initial Disclosure; Unacceptable Excuses.
(2) Disclosure of Expert Testimony.
(A) In General.
(B) Written Report.
(C) Time to Disclose Expert Testimony.
(D) Supplementing the Disclosure.
(3) Pretrial Disclosures.
(A) In General.
(B) Time for Pretrial Disclosures; Objections.
(4) Form of Disclosures.
(b) Discovery Scope and Limits.
(1) Scope in General.
(2) Limitations on Frequency and Extent.
(A) When Permitted.
(B) Specific Limitations on Electronically Stored Information.
(C) When Required.
(3) Trial Preparation: Materials.
(A) Documents and Tangible Things.
(B) Protection Against Disclosure.
(C) Previous Statement.
(4) Trial Preparation: Experts.
(A) Expert Who May Testify.
(B) Expert Employed Only for Trial Preparation.
(C) Payment.
(5) Claiming Privilege or Protecting Trial-Preparation Materials.
(A) Information Withheld.
(B) Information Produced.
(c) Protective Orders.
(1) In General.
(2) Ordering Discovery.
(3) Awarding Expenses.
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FRCP Table
(d) Timing and Sequence of Discovery.
(1) Timing.
(2) Sequence.
(e) Supplementing Disclosures and Responses.
(1) In General.
(2) Expert Witness.
(f) Conference of the Parties; Planning for Discovery.
(1) Conference Timing.
(2) Conference Content; Parties’ Responsibilities.
(3) Discovery Plan.
(4) Expedited Schedule.
(g) Signing Disclosures and Discovery Requests, Responses, and Objections.
(1) Signature Required; Effect of Signature.
(2) Failure to Sign.
(3) Sanction for Improper Certification.
Rule 27. Depositions to Perpetuate Testimony
(a) Before an Action Is Filed.
(1) Petition.
(2) Notice and Service.
(3) Order and Examination.
(4) Using the Deposition.
(b) Pending Appeal.
(1) In General.
(2) Motion.
(3) Court Order.
(c) Perpetuation by an Action.
Rule 28. Persons Before Whom Depositions May Be Taken
(a) Within the United States.
(1) In General.
(2) Definition of “Officer.”
(b) In a Foreign Country.
(1) In General.
(2) Issuing a Letter of Request or a Commission.
(3) Form of a Request, Notice, or Commission.
(4) Letter of Request—Admitting Evidence.
(c) Disqualification.
Rule 29. Stipulations About Discovery Procedure
Rule 30. Depositions by Oral Examination
(a) When a Deposition May Be Taken.
(1) Without Leave.
(2) With Leave.
(b) Notice of the Deposition; Other Formal Requirements.
(1) Notice in General.
(2) Producing Documents.
(3) Method of Recording.
(A) Method Stated in the Notice.
(B) Additional Method.
(4) By Remote Means.
(5) Officer’s Duties.
(A) Before the Deposition.
(B) Conducting the Deposition; Avoiding Distortion.
(C) After the Deposition.

16
 FRCP Table
(6) Notice or Subpoena Directed to an Organization.
(c) Examination and Cross-Examination; Record of the Examination; Objections;
Written Questions.
(1) Examination and Cross-Examination.
(2) Objections.
(3) Participating Through Written Questions.
(d) Duration; Sanction; Motion to Terminate or Limit.
(1) Duration.
(2) Sanction.
(3) Motion to Terminate or Limit.
(A) Grounds.
(B) Order.
(C) Award of Expenses.
(e) Review by the Witness; Changes.
(1) Review; Statement of Changes.
(2) Changes Indicated in the Officer’s Certificate.
(f) Certification and Delivery; Exhibits; Copies of the Transcript or Recording; Filing.
(1) Certification and Delivery.
(2) Documents and Tangible Things.
(A) Originals and Copies.
(B) Order Regarding the Originals.
(3) Copies of the Transcript or Recording.
(4) Notice of Filing.
(g) Failure to Attend a Deposition or Serve a Subpoena; Expenses.
Rule 31. Depositions by Written Questions
(a) When a Deposition May Be Taken.
(1) Without Leave.
(2) With Leave.
(3) Service; Required Notice.
(4) Questions Directed to an Organization.
(5) Questions from Other Parties.
(b) Delivery to the Officer; Officer’s Duties.
(c) Notice of Completion or Filing.
(1) Completion.
(2) Filing.
Rule 32. Using Depositions in Court Proceedings
(a) Using Depositions.
(1) In General.
(2) Impeachment and Other Uses.
(3) Deposition of Party, Agent, or Designee.
(4) Unavailable Witness.
(5) Limitations on Use.
(A) Deposition Taken on Short Notice.
(B) Unavailable Deponent; Party Could Not Obtain an Attorney.
(6) Using Part of a Deposition.
(7) Substituting a Party.
(8) Deposition Taken in an Earlier Action.
(b) Objections to Admissibility.
(c) Form of Presentation.
(d) Waiver of Objections.
(1) To the Notice.
(2) To the Officer’s Qualification.
(3) To the Taking of the Deposition.
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(A) Objection to Competence, Relevance, or Materiality.
(B) Objection to an Error or Irregularity.
(C) Objection to a Written Question.
(4) To Completing and Returning the Deposition.
Rule 33. Interrogatories to Parties
(a) In General.
(1) Number.
(2) Scope.
(b) Answers and Objections.
(1) Responding Party.
(2) Time to Respond.
(3) Answering Each Interrogatory.
(4) Objections.
(5) Signature.
(c) Use.
(d) Option to Produce Business Records.
Rule 34. Producing Documents, Electronically Stored Information, and Tangible Things,
or Entering onto Land, for Inspection and Other Purposes
(a) In General.
(b) Procedure.
(1) Contents of the Request.
(2) Responses and Objections.
(A) Time to Respond.
(B) Responding to Each Item.
(C) Objections.
(D) Responding to a Request for Production of Electronically Stored
Information.
(E) Producing the Documents or Electronically Stored Information.
(c) Nonparties.
Rule 35. Physical and Mental Examinations
(a) Order for an Examination.
(1) In General.
(2) Motion and Notice; Contents of the Order.
(b) Examiner’s Report.
(1) Request by the Party or Person Examined.
(2) Contents.
(3) Request by the Moving Party.
(4) Waiver of Privilege.
(5) Failure to Deliver a Report.
(6) Scope.
Rule 36. Requests for Admission
(a) Scope and Procedure.
(1) Scope.
(2) Form; Copy of a Document.
(3) Time to Respond; Effect of Not Responding.
(4) Answer.
(5) Objections.
(6) Motion Regarding the Sufficiency of an Answer or Objection.
(b) Effect of an Admission; Withdrawing or Amending It.
Rule 37. Failure to Make Disclosures or to Cooperate in Discovery; Sanctions
(a) Motion for an Order Compelling Disclosure or Discovery.
(1) In General.
(2) Appropriate Court.

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(3) Specific Motions.
(A) To Compel Disclosure.
(B) To Compel a Discovery Response.
(C) Related to a Deposition.
(4) Evasive or Incomplete Disclosure, Answer, or Response.
(5) Payment of Expenses; Protective Orders.
(A) If the Motion Is Granted (or Disclosure or Discovery Is Provided
After Filing).
(B) If the Motion Is Denied.
(C) If the Motion Is Granted in Part and Denied in Part.
(b) Failure to Comply with a Court Order.
(1) Sanctions in the District Where the Deposition Is Taken.
(2) Sanctions in the District Where the Action Is Pending.
(A) For Not Obeying a Discovery Order.
(B) For Not Producing a Person for Examination.
(C) Payment of Expenses.
(c) Failure to Disclose, to Supplement an Earlier Response, or to Admit.
(1) Failure to Disclose or Supplement.
(2) Failure to Admit.
(d) Party’s Failure to Attend Its Own Deposition, Serve Answers to Interroga-
tories, or Respond to a Request for Inspection.
(1) In General.
(A) Motion; Grounds for Sanctions.
(B) Certification.
(2) Unacceptable Excuse for Failing to Act.
(3) Types of Sanctions.
(e) Failure to Provide Electronically Stored Information.
(f) Failure to Participate in Framing a Discovery Plan.
TITLE VI. TRIALS
Rule 38. Right to a Jury Trial; Demand
(a) Right Preserved.
(b) Demand.
(c) Specifying Issues.
(d) Waiver; Withdrawal.
(e) Admiralty and Maritime Claims.
Rule 39. Trial by Jury or by the Court
(a) When a Demand Is Made.
(b) When No Demand Is Made.
(c) Advisory Jury; Jury Trial by Consent.
Rule 40. Scheduling Cases for Trial
Rule 41. Dismissal of Actions
(a) Voluntary Dismissal.
(1) By the Plaintiff.
(A) Without a Court Order.
(B) Effect.
(2) By Court Order; Effect.
(b) Involuntary Dismissal; Effect.
(c) Dismissing a Counterclaim, Crossclaim, or Third-Party Claim.
(d) Costs of a Previously Dismissed Action.
Rule 42. Consolidation; Separate Trials
(a) Consolidation.
(b) Separate Trials.

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Rule 43. Taking Testimony
(a) In Open Court.
(b) Affirmation Instead of an Oath.
(c) Evidence on a Motion.
(d) Interpreter.
Rule 44. Proving an Official Record
(a) Means of Proving.
(1) Domestic Record.
(2) Foreign Record.
(A) In General.
(B) Final Certification of Genuineness.
(C) Other Means of Proof.
(b) Lack of a Record.
(c) Other Proof.
Rule 44.1. Determining Foreign Law
Rule 45. Subpoena
(a) In General.
(1) Form and Contents.
(A) Requirements—In General.
(B) Command to Attend a Deposition—Notice of the Recording Method.
(C) Combining or Separating a Command to Produce or to Permit Inspec-
tion; Specifying the Form for Electronically Stored Information.
(D) Command to Produce; Included Obligations.
(2) Issued from Which Court.
(3) Issued by Whom.
(b) Service.
(1) By Whom; Tendering Fees; Serving a Copy of Certain Subpoenas.
(2) Service in the United States.
(3) Service in a Foreign Country.
(4) Proof of Service.
(c) Protecting a Person Subject to a Subpoena.
(1) Avoiding Undue Burden or Expense; Sanctions.
(2) Command to Produce Materials or Permit Inspection.
(A) Appearance Not Required.
(B) Objections.
(3) Quashing or Modifying a Subpoena.
(A) When Required.
(B) When Permitted.
(C) Specifying Conditions as an Alternative.
(d) Duties in Responding to a Subpoena.
(1) Producing Documents or Electronically Stored Information.
(A) Documents.
(B) Form for Producing Electronically Stored Information Not Speci-
fied.
(C) Electronically Stored Information Produced in Only One
Form.
(D) Inaccessible Electronically Stored Information.
(2) Claiming Privilege or Protection.
(A) Information Withheld.
(B) Information Produced.
(e) Contempt.
Rule 46. Objecting to a Ruling or Order

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Rule 47. Selecting Jurors
(a) Examining Jurors.
(b) Peremptory Challenges.
(c) Excusing a Juror.
Rule 48. Number of Jurors; Verdict; Polling
(a) Number of Jurors.
(b) Verdict.
(c) Polling.
Rule 49. Special Verdict; General Verdict and Questions
(a) Special Verdict.
(1) In General.
(2) Instructions.
(3) Issues Not Submitted.
(b) General Verdict with Answers to Written Questions.
(1) In General.
(2) Verdict and Answers Consistent.
(3) Answers Inconsistent with the Verdict.
(4) Answers Inconsistent with Each Other and the Verdict.
Rule 50. Judgment as a Matter of Law in a Jury Trial; Related Motion for a New Trial;
Conditional Ruling
(a) Judgment as a Matter of Law.
(1) In General.
(2) Motion.
(b) Renewing the Motion After Trial; Alternative Motion for a New Trial.
(c) Granting the Renewed Motion; Conditional Ruling on a Motion for a New Trial.
(1) In General.
(2) Effect of a Conditional Ruling.
(d) Time for a Losing Party’s New-Trial Motion.
(e) Denying the Motion for Judgment as a Matter of Law; Reversal on Appeal.
Rule 51. Instructions to the Jury; Objections; Preserving a Claim of Error
(a) Requests.
(1) Before or at the Close of the Evidence.
(2) After the Close of the Evidence.
(b) Instructions.
(c) Objections.
(1) How to Make.
(2) When to Make.
(d) Assigning Error; Plain Error.
(1) Assigning Error.
(2) Plain Error.
Rule 52. Findings and Conclusions by the Court; Judgment on Partial Findings
(a) Findings and Conclusions.
(1) In General.
(2) For an Interlocutory Injunction.
(3) For a Motion.
(4) Effect of a Master’s Findings.
(5) Questioning the Evidentiary Support.
(6) Setting Aside the Findings.
(b) Amended or Additional Findings.
(c) Judgment on Partial Findings.
Rule 53. Masters
(a) Appointment.

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(1) Scope.
(2) Disqualification.
(3) Possible Expense or Delay.
(b) Order Appointing a Master.
(1) Notice.
(2) Contents.
(3) Issuing.
(4) Amending.
(c) Master’s Authority.
(1) In General.
(2) Sanctions.
(d) Master’s Orders.
(e) Master’s Reports.
(f) Action on the Master’s Order, Report, or Recommendations.
(1) Opportunity for a Hearing; Action in General.
(2) Time to Object or Move to Adopt or Modify.
(3) Reviewing Factual Findings.
(4) Reviewing Legal Conclusions.
(5) Reviewing Procedural Matters.
(g) Compensation.
(1) Fixing Compensation.
(2) Payment.
(3) Allocating Payment.
(h) Appointing a Magistrate Judge.
TITLE VII. JUDGMENT
Rule 54. Judgment; Costs
(a) Definition; Form.
(b) Judgment on Multiple Claims or Involving Multiple Parties.
(c) Demand for Judgment; Relief to Be Granted.
(d) Costs; Attorney’s Fees.
(1) Costs Other Than Attorney’s Fees.
(2) Attorney’s Fees.
(A) Claim to Be by Motion.
(B) Timing and Contents of the Motion.
(C) Proceedings.
(D) Special Procedures by Local Rule; Reference to a Master or a
Magistrate Judge.
(E) Exceptions.
Rule 55. Default; Default Judgment
(a) Entering a Default.
(b) Entering a Default Judgment.
(1) By the Clerk.
(2) By the Court.
(c) Setting Aside a Default or a Default Judgment.
(d) Judgment Against the United States.
Rule 56. Summary Judgment
(a) By a Claiming Party.
(b) By a Defending Party.
(c) Time for a Motion, Response, and Reply; Proceedings.
(d) Case Not Fully Adjudicated on the Motion.
(1) Establishing Facts.
(2) Establishing Liability.
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(e) Affidavits; Further Testimony.
(1) In General.
(2) Opposing Party’s Obligation to Respond.
(f) When Affidavits Are Unavailable.
(g) Affidavit Submitted in Bad Faith.
Rule 57. Declaratory Judgment
Rule 58. Entering Judgment
(a) Separate Document.
(b) Entering Judgment.
(1) Without the Court’s Direction.
(2) Court’s Approval Required.
(c) Time of Entry.
(d) Request for Entry.
(e) Cost or Fee Awards.
Rule 59. New Trial; Altering or Amending a Judgment
(a) In General.
(1) Grounds for New Trial.
(2) Further Action After a Nonjury Trial.
(b) Time to File a Motion for a New Trial. A motion for a new trial must be filed
no later than 10 days after the entry of judgment.
(c) Time to Serve Affidavits.
(d) New Trial on the Court’s Initiative or for Reasons Not in the Motion.
(e) Motion to Alter or Amend a Judgment.
Rule 60. Relief from a Judgment or Order
(a) Corrections Based on Clerical Mistakes; Oversights and Omissions.
(b) Grounds for Relief from a Final Judgment, Order, or Proceeding.
(c) Timing and Effect of the Motion.
(1) Timing.
(2) Effect on Finality.
(d) Other Powers to Grant Relief.
(e) Bills and Writs Abolished.
Rule 61. Harmless Error
Rule 62. Stay of Proceedings to Enforce a Judgment
(a) Automatic Stay; Exceptions for Injunctions, Receiverships, and Patent Ac-
countings.
(b) Stay Pending the Disposition of a Motion.
(c) Injunction Pending an Appeal.
(d) Stay with Bond on Appeal.
(e) Stay Without Bond on an Appeal by the United States, Its Officers, or Its
Agencies.
(f) Stay in Favor of a Judgment Debtor Under State Law.
(g) Appellate Court’s Power Not Limited.
(h) Stay with Multiple Claims or Parties.
Rule 62.1. Indicative Ruling on a Motion for Relief That is Barred by a Pending Appeal
(a) Relief Pending Appeal.
(b) Notice to the Court of Appeals.
(c) Remand
Rule 63. Judge’s Inability to Proceed
TITLE VIII. PROVISIONAL AND FINAL REMEDIES
Rule 64. Seizing a Person or Property
(a) Remedies Under State Law—In General.

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(b) Specific Kinds of Remedies.
Rule 65. Injunctions and Restraining Orders
(a) Preliminary Injunction.
(1) Notice.
(2) Consolidating the Hearing with the Trial on the Merits.
(b) Temporary Restraining Order.
(1) Issuing Without Notice.
(2) Contents; Expiration.
(3) Expediting the Preliminary-Injunction Hearing.
(4) Motion to Dissolve.
(c) Security.
(d) Contents and Scope of Every Injunction and Restraining Order.
(1) Contents.
(2) Persons Bound.
(e) Other Laws Not Modified.
(f) Copyright Impoundment.
Rule 65.1. Proceedings Against a Surety
Rule 66. Receivers
Rule 67. Deposit into Court
(a) Depositing Property.
(b) Investing and Withdrawing Funds.
Rule 68. Offer of Judgment
(a) Making an Offer; Judgment on an Accepted Offer.
(b) Unaccepted Offer.
(c) Offer After Liability Is Determined.
(d) Paying Costs After an Unaccepted Offer.
Rule 69. Execution
(a) In General.
(1) Money Judgment; Applicable Procedure.
(2) Obtaining Discovery.
(b) Against Certain Public Officers.
Rule 70. Enforcing a Judgment for a Specific Act
(a) Party’s Failure to Act; Ordering Another to Act.
(b) Vesting Title.
(c) Obtaining a Writ of Attachment or Sequestration.
(d) Obtaining a Writ of Execution or Assistance.
(e) Holding in Contempt.
Rule 71. Enforcing Relief For or Against a Nonparty
TITLE IX. SPECIAL PROCEEDINGS
Rule 71.1. Condemning Real or Personal Property
(a) Applicability of Other Rules.
(b) Joinder of Properties.
(c) Complaint.
(1) Caption.
(2) Contents.
(3) Parties.
(4) Procedure.
(5) Filing; Additional Copies.
(d) Process.
(1) Delivering Notice to the Clerk.
(2) Contents of the Notice.
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(A) Main Contents.
(B) Conclusion.
(3) Serving the Notice.
(A) Personal Service.
(B) Service by Publication.
(4) Effect of Delivery and Service.
(5) Amending the Notice; Proof of Service and Amending the Proof.
(e) Appearance or Answer.
(1) Notice of Appearance.
(2) Answer.
(3) Waiver of Other Objections and Defenses; Evidence on Compensation.
(f) Amending Pleadings.
(g) Substituting Parties.
(h) Trial of the Issues.
(1) Issues Other Than Compensation; Compensation.
(2) Appointing a Commission; Commission’s Powers and Report.
(A) Reasons for Appointing.
(B) Alternate Commissioners.
(C) Examining the Prospective Commissioners.
(D) Commission’s Powers and Report.
(i) Dismissal of the Action or a Defendant.
(1) Dismissing the Action.
(A) By the Plaintiff.
(B) By Stipulation.
(C) By Court Order.
(2) Dismissing a Defendant.
(3) Effect.
(j) Deposit and Its Distribution.
(1) Deposit.
(2) Distribution; Adjusting Distribution.
(k) Condemnation Under a State’s Power of Eminent Domain.
(l) Costs.
Rule 72. Magistrate Judges: Pretrial Order
(a) Nondispositive Matters.
(b) Dispositive Motions and Prisoner Petitions.
(1) Findings and Recommendations.
(2) Objections.
(3) Resolving Objections.
Rule 73. Magistrate Judges: Trial by Consent; Appeal
(a) Trial by Consent.
(b) Consent Procedure.
(1) In General.
(2) Reminding the Parties About Consenting.
(3) Vacating a Referral.
(c) Appealing a Judgment.
Rule 74-76. [Abrogated.]
TITLE X. DISTRICT COURTS AND CLERKS:
CONDUCTING BUSINESS; ISSUING ORDERS
Rule 77. Conducting Business; Clerk’s Authority; Notice of an Order or Judgment
(a) When Court Is Open.
(b) Place for Trial and Other Proceedings.
(c) Clerk’s Office Hours; Clerk’s Orders.
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FRCP Table
(1) Hours.
(2) Orders.
(d) Serving Notice of an Order or Judgment.
(1) Service.
(2) Time to Appeal Not Affected by Lack of Notice.
Rule 78. Hearing Motions; Submission on Briefs
(a) Providing a Regular Schedule for Oral Hearings.
(b) Providing for Submission on Briefs.
Rule 79. Records Kept by the Clerk
(a) Civil Docket.
(1) In General.
(2) Items to be Entered.
(3) Contents of Entries; Jury Trial Demanded.
(b) Civil Judgments and Orders.
(c) Indexes; Calendars.
(d) Other Records.
Rule 80. Stenographic Transcript as Evidence
TITLE XI. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Rule 81. Applicability of the Rules in General; Removed Actions
(a) Applicability to Particular Proceedings.
(1) Prize Proceedings.
(2) Bankruptcy.
(3) Citizenship.
(4) Special Writs.
(5) Proceedings Involving a Subpoena.
(6) Other Proceedings.
(b) Scire Facias and Mandamus.
(c) Removed Actions.
(1) Applicability.
(2) Further Pleading.
(3) Demand for a Jury Trial.
(A) As Affected by State Law.
(B) Under Rule 38.
(d) Law Applicable.
(1) “State Law” Defined.
(2) “State” Defined.
(3) “Federal Statute” Defined in the District of Columbia.
Rule 82. Jurisdiction and Venue Unaffected
Rule 83. Rules by District Courts; Judge’s Directives
(a) Local Rules.
(1) In General.
(2) Requirement of Form.
(b) Procedure When There Is No Controlling Law.
Rule 84. Forms
Rule 85. Title
Rule 86. Effective Dates
(a) In General.
(b) December 1, 2007 Amendments.

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 FRCP 1
TITLE I. SCOPE OF RULES; FORM OF ACTION
Rule 1. Scope and Purpose
These rules govern the procedure in all civil actions and proceedings in the United States district
courts, except as stated in Rule 81. They should be construed and administered to secure the
just, speedy, and inexpensive determination of every action and proceeding.
(As amended Dec. 29, 1948, eff. Oct. 20, 1949; Feb. 28, 1966, eff. July 1, 1966; Apr. 22, 1993, eff. Dec. 1, 1993; Apr. 30,
2007, eff. Dec. 1, 2007.)

Rule 2. One Form of Action

There is one form of action—the civil action.
(As amended Apr. 30, 2007, eff. Dec. 1, 2007.)

TITLE II. COMMENCING AN ACTION; SERVICE OF

PROCESS, PLEADINGS, MOTIONS, AND ORDERS
Rule 3. Commencing an Action
A civil action is commenced by filing a complaint with the court.
(As amended Apr. 30, 2007, eff. Dec. 1, 2007.)

Rule 4. Summons
(a) Contents; Amendments.
(1) Contents. A summons must:
(A) name the court and the parties;
(B) be directed to the defendant;
(C) state the name and address of the plaintiff’s attorney or—if unrepresented—of
the plaintiff;
(D) state the time within which the defendant must appear and defend;
(E) notify the defendant that a failure to appear and defend will result in a
default judgment against the defendant for the relief demanded in the
complaint;
(F) be signed by the clerk; and
(G) bear the court’s seal.
(2) Amendments. The court may permit a summons to be amended.
(b) Issuance. On or after filing the complaint, the plaintiff may present a summons to the
clerk for signature and seal. If the summons is properly completed, the clerk must sign,
seal, and issue it to the plaintiff for service on the defendant. A summons—or a copy of
a summons that is addressed to multiple defendants—must be issued for each defendant
to be served.
(c) Service.
(1) In General. A summons must be served with a copy of the complaint. The plaintiff
is responsible for having the summons and complaint served within the time al-
lowed by Rule 4(m) and must furnish the necessary copies to the person who makes
service.
(2) By Whom. Any person who is at least 18 years old and not a party may serve a
summons and complaint.
(3) By a Marshal or Someone Specially Appointed. At the plaintiff’s request, the court
may order that service be made by a United States marshal or deputy marshal or by
a person specially appointed by the court. The court must so order if the plaintiff
is authorized to proceed in forma pauperis under 28 U.S.C. §1915 or as a seaman
under 28 U.S.C. § 1916.

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FRCP 4
(d) Waiving Service.
(1) Requesting a Waiver. An individual, corporation, or association that is subject to
service under Rule 4(e), (f), or (h) has a duty to avoid unnecessary expenses of
serving the summons. The plaintiff may notify such a defendant that an action has
been commenced and request that the defendant waive service of a summons. The
notice and request must:
(A) be in writing and be addressed:
(i) to the individual defendant; or
(ii) for a defendant subject to service under Rule 4(h), to an officer, a manag-
ing or general agent, or any other agent authorized by appointment or
by law to receive service of process;
(B) name the court where the complaint was filed;
(C) be accompanied by a copy of the complaint, 2 copies of a waiver form, and a
prepaid means for returning the form;
(D) inform the defendant, using text prescribed in Form 5, of the consequences of
waiving and not waiving service;
(E) state the date when the request is sent;
(F) give the defendant a reasonable time of at least 30 days after the request was
sent—or at least 60 days if sent to the defendant outside any judicial district
of the United States—to return the waiver; and
(G) be sent by first-class mail or other reliable means.
(2) Failure to Waive. If a defendant located within the United States fails, without good
cause, to sign and return a waiver requested by a plaintiff located within the United
States, the court must impose on the defendant:
(A) the expenses later incurred in making service; and
(B) the reasonable expenses, including attorney’s fees, of any motion required to
collect those service expenses.
(3) Time to Answer After a Waiver. A defendant who, before being served with process,
timely returns a waiver need not serve an answer to the complaint until 60 days after
the request was sent—or until 90 days after it was sent to the defendant outside any
judicial district of the United States.
(4) Results of Filing a Waiver. When the plaintiff files a waiver, proof of service is not
required and these rules apply as if a summons and complaint had been served at
the time of filing the waiver.
(5) Jurisdiction and Venue Not Waived. Waiving service of a summons does not waive
any objection to personal jurisdiction or to venue.
(e) Serving an Individual Within a Judicial District of the United States. Unless federal law
provides otherwise, an individual—other than a minor, an incompetent person, or a person
whose waiver has been filed—may be served in a judicial district of the United States by:
(1) following state law for serving a summons in an action brought in courts of general
jurisdiction in the state where the district court is located or where service is made; or
(2) doing any of the following:
(A) delivering a copy of the summons and of the complaint to the individual per-
sonally;
(B) leaving a copy of each at the individual’s dwelling or usual place of abode with
someone of suitable age and discretion who resides there; or
(C) delivering a copy of each to an agent authorized by appointment or by law to
receive service of process.

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 FRCP 4
(f) Serving an Individual in a Foreign Country. Unless federal law provides otherwise,
an individual—other than a minor, an incompetent person, or a person whose waiver
has been filed—may be served at a place not within any judicial district of the United
States:
(1) by any internationally agreed means of service that is reasonably calculated to give
notice, such as those authorized by the Hague Convention on the Service Abroad
of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents;
(2) if there is no internationally agreed means, or if an international agreement allows
but does not specify other means, by a method that is reasonably calculated to give
notice:
(A) as prescribed by the foreign country’s law for service in that country in an
action in its courts of general jurisdiction;
(B) as the foreign authority directs in response to a letter rogatory or letter of
request; or
(C) unless prohibited by the foreign country’s law, by:
(i) delivering a copy of the summons and of the complaint to the individual
personally; or
(ii) using any form of mail that the clerk addresses and sends to the individual
and that requires a signed receipt; or
(3) by other means not prohibited by international agreement, as the court orders.
(g) Serving a Minor or an Incompetent Person. A minor or an incompetent person in a
judicial district of the United States must be served by following state law for serving a
summons or like process on such a defendant in an action brought in the courts of gen-
eral jurisdiction of the state where service is made. A minor or an incompetent person
who is not within any judicial district of the United States must be served in the manner
prescribed by Rule 4(f)(2)(A), (f)(2)(B), or (f)(3).
(h) Serving a Corporation, Partnership, or Association. Unless federal law provides
otherwise or the defendant’s waiver has been filed, a domestic or foreign corporation, or
a partnership or other unincorporated association that is subject to suit under a common
name, must be served:
(1) in a judicial district of the United States:
(A) in the manner prescribed by Rule 4(e)(1) for serving an individual; or
(B) by delivering a copy of the summons and of the complaint to an officer, a
managing or general agent, or any other agent authorized by appointment or by
law to receive service of process and—if the agent is one authorized by statute
and the statute so requires—by also mailing a copy of each to the defendant;
or
(2) at a place not within any judicial district of the United States, in any manner pre-
scribed by Rule 4(f) for serving an individual, except personal delivery under (f)(2)
(C)(i).
(i) Serving the United States and Its Agencies, Corporations, Officers, or Employees.
(1) United States. To serve the United States, a party must:
(A) (i) deliver a copy of the summons and of the complaint to the United States
attorney for the district where the action is brought—or to an assistant United
States attorney or clerical employee whom the United States attorney designates
in a writing filed with the court clerk—or
(ii) send a copy of each by registered or certified mail to the civil-process
clerk at the United States attorney’s office;

29
FRCP 4
(B) send a copy of each by registered or certified mail to the Attorney General of
the United States at Washington, D.C.; and
(C) if the action challenges an order of a nonparty agency or officer of the United
States, send a copy of each by registered or certified mail to the agency or of-
ficer.
(2) Agency; Corporation; Officer or Employee Sued in an Official Capacity. To serve
a United States agency or corporation, or a United States officer or employee sued
only in an official capacity, a party must serve the United States and also send a copy
of the summons and of the complaint by registered or certified mail to the agency,
corporation, officer, or employee.
(3) Officer or Employee Sued Individually. To serve a United States officer or
employee sued in an individual capacity for an act or omission occurring in
connection with duties performed on the United States’ behalf (whether or not
the officer or employee is also sued in an official capacity), a party must serve
the United States and also serve the officer or employee under Rule 4(e), (f), or
(g).
(4) Extending Time. The court must allow a party a reasonable time to cure its failure
to:
(A) serve a person required to be served under Rule 4(i)(2), if the party has served
either the United States attorney or the Attorney General of the United States;
or
(B) serve the United States under Rule 4(i)(3), if the party has served the United
States officer or employee.
(j) Serving a Foreign, State, or Local Government.
(1) Foreign State. A foreign state or its political subdivision, agency, or instrumentality
must be served in accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 1608.
(2) State or Local Government. A state, a municipal corporation, or any other state-
created governmental organization that is subject to suit must be served by:
(A) delivering a copy of the summons and of the complaint to its chief executive
officer; or
(B) serving a copy of each in the manner prescribed by that state’s law for serving
a summons or like process on such a defendant.
(k) Territorial Limits of Effective Service.
(1) In General. Serving a summons or filing a waiver of service establishes personal
jurisdiction over a defendant:
(A) who is subject to the jurisdiction of a court of general jurisdiction in the state
where the district court is located;
(B) who is a party joined under Rule 14 or 19 and is served within a judicial district
of the United States and not more than 100 miles from where the summons
was issued; or
(C) when authorized by a federal statute.
(2) Federal Claim Outside State-Court Jurisdiction. For a claim that arises under
federal law, serving a summons or filing a waiver of service establishes personal
jurisdiction over a defendant if:
(A) the defendant is not subject to jurisdiction in any state’s courts of general
jurisdiction; and
(B) exercising jurisdiction is consistent with the United States Constitution and
laws.

30
 FRCP 4
(l) Proving Service.
(1) Affidavit Required. Unless service is waived, proof of service must be made to the
court. Except for service by a United States marshal or deputy marshal, proof must
be by the server’s affidavit.
(2) Service Outside the United States. Service not within any judicial district of the
United States must be proved as follows:
(A) if made under Rule 4(f)(1), as provided in the applicable treaty or convention;
or
(B) if made under Rule 4(f)(2) or (f)(3), by a receipt signed by the addressee, or
by other evidence satisfying the court that the summons and complaint were
delivered to the addressee.
(3) Validity of Service; Amending Proof. Failure to prove service does not affect the
validity of service. The court may permit proof of service to be amended.
(m) Time Limit for Service. If a defendant is not served within 120 days after the complaint
is filed, the court—on motion or on its own after notice to the plaintiff—must dismiss
the action without prejudice against that defendant or order that service be made within a
specified time. But if the plaintiff shows good cause for the failure, the court must extend
the time for service for an appropriate period. This subdivision (m) does not apply to
service in a foreign country under Rule 4(f) or 4(j)(1).
(n) Asserting Jurisdiction over Property or Assets.
(1) Federal Law. The court may assert jurisdiction over property if authorized by a
federal statute. Notice to claimants of the property must be given as provided in the
statute or by serving a summons under this rule.
(2) State Law. On a showing that personal jurisdiction over a defendant cannot be
obtained in the district where the action is brought by reasonable efforts to serve
a summons under this rule, the court may assert jurisdiction over the defendant’s
assets found in the district. Jurisdiction is acquired by seizing the assets under the
circumstances and in the manner provided by state law in that district.
(As amended Jan. 21, 1963, eff. July 1, 1963; Feb. 28, 1966, eff. July 1, 1966; Apr. 29, 1980, eff. Aug. 1, 1980; Jan. 12,
1983, eff. Feb. 26, 1983; Mar. 2, 1987, eff. Aug. 1, 1987; Apr. 22, 1993, eff. Dec. 1, 1993; Apr. 17, 2000, eff. Dec. 1, 2000;
Apr. 30, 2007, eff. Dec. 1, 2007.)

Rule 4.1. Serving Other Process

(a) In General. Process—other than a summons under Rule 4 or a subpoena under Rule
45—must be served by a United States marshal or deputy marshal or by a person specially
appointed for that purpose. It may be served anywhere within the territorial limits of the
state where the district court is located and, if authorized by a federal statute, beyond
those limits. Proof of service must be made under Rule 4(l).
(b) Enforcing Orders: Committing for Civil Contempt. An order committing a person for
civil contempt of a decree or injunction issued to enforce federal law may be served and
enforced in any district. Any other order in a civil-contempt proceeding may be served
only in the state where the issuing court is located or elsewhere in the United States
within 100 miles from where the order was issued.
(As added Apr. 22, 1993, eff. Dec. 1, 1993; Apr. 30, 2007, eff. Dec. 1, 2007.)

Rule 5. Serving and Filing Pleadings and Other Papers

(a) Service: When Required.
(1) In General. Unless these rules provide otherwise, each of the following papers must
be served on every party:
(A) an order stating that service is required;

31
FRCP 5
(B) a pleading filed after the original complaint, unless the court orders otherwise
under Rule 5(c) because there are numerous defendants;
(C) a discovery paper required to be served on a party, unless the court orders
otherwise;
(D) a written motion, except one that may be heard ex parte; and
(E) a written notice, appearance, demand, or offer of judgment, or any similar
paper.
(2) If a Party Fails to Appear. No service is required on a party who is in default for
failing to appear. But a pleading that asserts a new claim for relief against such a
party must be served on that party under Rule 4.
(3) Seizing Property. If an action is begun by seizing property and no person is or need
be named as a defendant, any service required before the filing of an appearance,
answer, or claim must be made on the person who had custody or possession of the
property when it was seized.
(b) Service: How Made.
(1) Serving an Attorney. If a party is represented by an attorney, service under this rule
must be made on the attorney unless the court orders service on the party.
(2) Service in General. A paper is served under this rule by:
(A) handing it to the person;
(B) leaving it:
(i) at the person’s office with a clerk or other person in charge or, if no one
is in charge, in a conspicuous place in the office; or
(ii) if the person has no office or the office is closed, at the person’s dwelling
or usual place of abode with someone of suitable age and discretion who
resides there;
(C) mailing it to the person’s last known address—in which event service is com-
plete upon mailing;
(D) leaving it with the court clerk if the person has no known address;
(E) sending it by electronic means if the person consented in writing—in which
event service is complete upon transmission, but is not effective if the serving
party learns that it did not reach the person to be served; or
(F) delivering it by any other means that the person consented to in writing—in
which event service is complete when the person making service delivers it to
the agency designated to make delivery.
(3) Using Court Facilities. If a local rule so authorizes, a party may use the court’s
transmission facilities to make service under Rule 5(b)(2)(E).
(c) Serving Numerous Defendants.
(1) In General. If an action involves an unusually large number of defendants, the court
may, on motion or on its own, order that:
(A) defendants’ pleadings and replies to them need not be served on other defen-
dants;
(B) any crossclaim, counterclaim, avoidance, or affirmative defense in those
pleadings and replies to them will be treated as denied or avoided by all other
parties; and
(C) filing any such pleading and serving it on the plaintiff constitutes notice of the
pleading to all parties.
(2) Notifying Parties. A copy of every such order must be served on the parties as the
court directs.

32
 FRCP 5
(d) Filing.
(1) Required Filings; Certificate of Service. Any paper after the complaint that is
required to be served—together with a certificate of service—must be filed within
a reasonable time after service. But disclosures under Rule 26(a)(1) or (2) and the
following discovery requests and responses must not be filed until they are used in
the proceeding or the court orders filing: depositions, interrogatories, requests for
documents or tangible things or to permit entry onto land, and requests for admis-
sion.
(2) How Filing Is Made—In General. A paper is filed by delivering it:
(A) to the clerk; or
(B) to a judge who agrees to accept it for filing, and who must then note the filing
date on the paper and promptly send it to the clerk.
(3) Electronic Filing, Signing, or Verification. A court may, by local rule, allow pa-
pers to be filed, signed, or verified by electronic means that are consistent with any
technical standards established by the Judicial Conference of the United States. A
local rule may require electronic filing only if reasonable exceptions are allowed.
A paper filed electronically in compliance with a local rule is a written paper for
purposes of these rules.
(4) Acceptance by the Clerk. The clerk must not refuse to file a paper solely because it
is not in the form prescribed by these rules or by a local rule or practice.
(As amended Jan. 21, 1963, eff. July 1, 1963; Mar. 30, 1970, eff. July 1, 1970; Apr. 29, 1980, eff. Aug. 1, 1980; Mar. 2, 1987,
eff. Aug. 1, 1987; Apr. 30, 1991, eff. Dec. 1, 1991; Apr. 22, 1993, eff. Dec. 1, 1993; Apr. 23, 1996, eff. Dec. 1, 1996; Apr. 17,
2000, eff. Dec. 1, 2000; Apr. 23, 2001, eff. Dec. 1, 2001; Apr. 12, 2006, eff. Dec. 1, 2006; Apr. 30, 2007, eff. Dec. 1, 2007.)

Rule 5.1. Constitutional Challenge to a Statute—Notice, Certifica-

tion, and Intervention
(a) Notice by a Party. A party that files a pleading, written motion, or other paper drawing
into question the constitutionality of a federal or state statute must promptly:
(1) file a notice of constitutional question stating the question and identifying the paper
that raises it, if:
(A) a federal statute is questioned and the parties do not include the United States,
one of its agencies, or one of its officers or employees in an official capacity;
or
(B) a state statute is questioned and the parties do not include the state, one of its
agencies, or one of its officers or employees in an official capacity; and
(2) serve the notice and paper on the Attorney General of the United States if a federal
statute is questioned—or on the state attorney general if a state statute is questioned—
either by certified or registered mail or by sending it to an electronic address desig-
nated by the attorney general for this purpose.
(b) Certification by the Court. The court must, under 28 U.S.C. § 2403, certify to the ap-
propriate attorney general that a statute has been questioned.
(c) Intervention; Final Decision on the Merits. Unless the court sets a later time, the at-
torney general may intervene within 60 days after the notice is filed or after the court
certifies the challenge, whichever is earlier. Before the time to intervene expires, the court
may reject the constitutional challenge, but may not enter a final judgment holding the
statute unconstitutional.
(d) No Forfeiture. A party’s failure to file and serve the notice, or the court’s failure to certify,
does not forfeit a constitutional claim or defense that is otherwise timely asserted.
(Added Apr. 12, 2006, eff. Dec. 1, 2006; Apr. 30, 2007, eff. Dec. 1, 2007.)

33
FRCP 5.2
Rule 5.2. Privacy Protection For Filings Made with the Court
(a) Redacted Filings. Unless the court orders otherwise, in an electronic or paper filing with
the court that contains an individual’s social-security number, taxpayer-identification
number, or birth date, the name of an individual known to be a minor, or a financial-
account number, a party or nonparty making the filing may include only:
(1) the last four digits of the social-security number and taxpayer-identification num-
ber;
(2) the year of the individual’s birth;
(3) the minor’s initials; and
(4) the last four digits of the financial-account number.
(b) Exemptions from the Redaction Requirement. The redaction requirement does not
apply to the following:
(1) a financial-account number that identifies the property allegedly subject to forfeiture
in a forfeiture proceeding;
(2) the record of an administrative or agency proceeding;
(3) the official record of a state-court proceeding;
(4) the record of a court or tribunal, if that record was not subject to the redaction re-
quirement when originally filed;
(5) a filing covered by Rule 5.2(c) or (d); and
(6) a pro se filing in an action brought under 28 U.S.C. §§ 2241, 2254, or 2255.
(c) Limitations on Remote Access to Electronic Files; Social-Security Appeals and Im-
migration Cases. Unless the court orders otherwise, in an action for benefits under the
Social Security Act, and in an action or proceeding relating to an order of removal, to
relief from removal, or to immigration benefits or detention, access to an electronic file
is authorized as follows:
(1) the parties and their attorneys may have remote electronic access to any part of the
case file, including the administrative record;
(2) any other person may have electronic access to the full record at the courthouse, but
may have remote electronic access only to:
(A) the docket maintained by the court; and
(B) an opinion, order, judgment, or other disposition of the court, but not any other
part of the case file or the administrative record.
(d) Filings Made Under Seal. The court may order that a filing be made under seal without
redaction. The court may later unseal the filing or order the person who made the filing
to file a redacted version for the public record.
(e) Protective Orders. For good cause, the court may by order in a case:
(1) require redaction of additional information; or
(2) limit or prohibit a nonparty’s remote electronic access to a document filed with the
court.
(f) Option for Additional Unredacted Filing Under Seal. A person making a redacted
filing may also file an unredacted copy under seal. The court must retain the unredacted
copy as part of the record.
(g) Option for Filing a Reference List. A filing that contains redacted information may
be filed together with a reference list that identifies each item of redacted information
and specifies an appropriate identifier that uniquely corresponds to each item listed.
The list must be filed under seal and may be amended as of right. Any reference in
the case to a listed identifier will be construed to refer to the corresponding item of
information.

34
 FRCP 5.2
(h) Waiver of Protection of Identifiers. A person waives the protection of Rule 5.2(a) as
to the person’s own information by filing it without redaction and not under seal.
(Added Apr. 30, 2007, eff. Dec. 1, 2007.)

Rule 6. Computing and Extending Time; Time for Motion Papers

(a) Computing Time. The following rules apply in computing any time period specified
in these rules, in any local rule or court order, or in any statute that does not specify a
method of computing time.
(1) Period Stated in Days or a Longer Unit. When the period is stated in days or a
longer unit of time:
(A) exclude the day of the event that triggers the period;
(B) count every day, including intermediate Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays;
and
(C) include the last day of the period, but if the last day is a Saturday, Sunday, or
legal holiday, the period continues to run until the end of the next day that is
not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.
(2) Period Stated in Hours. When the period is stated in hours:
(A) begin counting immediately on the occurrence of the event that triggers the
period;
(B) count every hour, including hours during intermediate Saturdays, Sundays, and
legal holidays; and
(C) if the period would end on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the period
continues to run until the same time on the next day that is not a Saturday,
Sunday, or legal holiday.
(3) Inaccessibility of the Clerk’s Office. Unless the court orders otherwise, if the clerk’s
office is inaccessible:
(A) on the last day for filing under Rule 6(a)(1), then the time for filing is extended
to the first accessible day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday; or
(B) during the last hour for filing under Rule 6(a)(2), then the time for filing is
extended to the same time on the first accessible day that is not a Saturday,
Sunday, or legal holiday.
(4) “Last Day” Defined. Unless a different time is set by a statute, local rule, or court
order, the last day ends:
(A) for electronic filing, at midnight in the court’s time zone; and
(B) for filing by other means, when the clerk’s office is scheduled to close.
(5) “Next Day” Defined. The “next day” is determined by continuing to count forward when
the period is measured after an event and backward when measured before an event.
(6) “Legal Holiday” Defined. “Legal holiday” means:
(A) the day set aside by statute for observing New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King
Jr.’s Birthday, Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor
Day, Columbus Day, Veterans’ Day, Thanksgiving Day, or Christmas Day;
(B) any day declared a holiday by the President or Congress; and
(C) for periods that are measured after an event, any other day declared a holiday
by the state where the district court is located.
(b) Extending Time.
(1) In General. When an act may or must be done within a specified time, the court
may, for good cause, extend the time:
(A) with or without motion or notice if the court acts, or if a request is made, before
the original time or its extension expires; or
35
FRCP 6
(B) on motion made after the time has expired if the party failed to act because of
excusable neglect.
(2) Exceptions. A court must not extend the time to act under Rules 50(b) and (d), 52(b),
59(b), (d), and (e), and 60(b).
(c) Motions, Notices of Hearing, and Affidavits.
(1) In General. A written motion and notice of the hearing must be served at least 14
days before the time specified for the hearing, with the following exceptions:
(A) when the motion may be heard ex parte;
(B) when these rules set a different time; or
(C) when a court order—which a party may, for good cause, apply for ex parte—
sets a different time.
(2) Supporting Affidavit. Any affidavit supporting a motion must be served with the
motion. Except as Rule 59(c) provides otherwise, any opposing affidavit must be
served at least 7 days before the hearing, unless the court permits service at another
time.
(d) Additional Time After Certain Kinds of Service. When a party may or must act within
a specified time after service and service is made under Rule 5(b)(2)(C), (D), (E), or (F),
3 days are added after the period would otherwise expire under Rule 6(a).
(As amended Dec. 27, 1946, eff. Mar. 19, 1948; Jan. 21, 1963, eff. July 1, 1963; Feb. 28, 1966, eff. July 1, 1966; Dec. 4,
1967, eff. July 1, 1968; Mar. 1, 1971, eff. July 1, 1971; Apr. 28, 1983, eff. Aug. 1, 1983; Apr. 29, 1985, eff. Aug. 1, 1985; Mar.
2, 1987, eff. Aug. 1, 1987; Apr. 26, 1999, eff. Dec. 1, 1999; Apr. 23, 2001, eff. Dec. 1, 2001; Apr. 25, 2005, eff. Dec. 1, 2005;
Apr. 30, 2007, eff. Dec. 1, 2007; Mar. 26, 2009, eff. Dec. 1, 2009.)

TITLE III. PLEADINGS AND MOTIONS

Rule 7. Pleadings Allowed; Form of Motions and Other Papers
(a) Pleadings. Only these pleadings are allowed:
(1) a complaint;
(2) an answer to a complaint;
(3) an answer to a counterclaim designated as a counterclaim;
(4) an answer to a crossclaim;
(5) a third-party complaint;
(6) an answer to a third-party complaint; and
(7) if the court orders one, a reply to an answer.
(b) Motions and Other Papers.
(1) In General. A request for a court order must be made by motion. The motion
must:
(A) be in writing unless made during a hearing or trial;
(B) state with particularity the grounds for seeking the order; and
(C) state the relief sought.
(2) Form. The rules governing captions and other matters of form in pleadings apply
to motions and other papers.
(As amended Dec. 27, 1946, eff. Mar. 19, 1948; Jan. 21, 1963, eff. July 1, 1963; Apr. 28, 1983, eff. Aug. 1, 1983; Apr. 30,
2007, eff. Dec. 1, 2007.)

Rule 7.1. Disclosure Statement

(a) Who Must File; Contents. A nongovernmental corporate party must file 2 copies of a
disclosure statement that:
(1) identifies any parent corporation and any publicly held corporation owning 10% or
more of its stock; or
(2) states that there is no such corporation.

36
 FRCP 7
(b) Time to File; Supplemental Filing. A party must:
(1) file the disclosure statement with its first appearance, pleading, petition, motion,
response, or other request addressed to the court; and
(2) promptly file a supplemental statement if any required information changes.
(As added Apr. 29, 2002, eff. Dec. 1, 2002; Apr. 30, 2007, eff. Dec. 1, 2007.)

Rule 8. General Rules of Pleading

(a) Claim for Relief. A pleading that states a claim for relief must contain:
(1) a short and plain statement of the grounds for the court’s jurisdiction, unless the
court already has jurisdiction and the claim needs no new jurisdictional support;
(2) a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief;
and
(3) a demand for the relief sought, which may include relief in the alternative or different
types of relief.
(b) Defenses; Admissions and Denials.
(1) In General. In responding to a pleading, a party must:
(A) state in short and plain terms its defenses to each claim asserted against it; and
(B) admit or deny the allegations asserted against it by an opposing party.
(2) Denials—Responding to the Substance. A denial must fairly respond to the substance
of the allegation.
(3) General and Specific Denials. A party that intends in good faith to deny all the
allegations of a pleading—including the jurisdictional grounds—may do so by a
general denial. A party that does not intend to deny all the allegations must either
specifically deny designated allegations or generally deny all except those specifi-
cally admitted.
(4) Denying Part of an Allegation. A party that intends in good faith to deny only part
of an allegation must admit the part that is true and deny the rest.
(5) Lacking Knowledge or Information. A party that lacks knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief about the truth of an allegation must so state, and the
statement has the effect of a denial.
(6) Effect of Failing to Deny. An allegation—other than one relating to the amount of
damages—is admitted if a responsive pleading is required and the allegation is not
denied. If a responsive pleading is not required, an allegation is considered denied
or avoided.
(c) Affirmative Defenses.
(1) In General. In responding to a pleading, a party must affirmatively state any avoid-
ance or affirmative defense, including:
• accord and satisfaction;
• arbitration and award;
• assumption of risk;
• contributory negligence;
• discharge in bankruptcy;
• duress;
• estoppel;
• failure of consideration;
• fraud;
• illegality;
• injury by fellow servant;
• laches;

37
FRCP 8
• license;
• payment;
• release;
• res judicata;
• statute of frauds;
• statute of limitations; and
• waiver.
(2) Mistaken Designation. If a party mistakenly designates a defense as a counter-
claim, or a counterclaim as a defense, the court must, if justice requires, treat the
pleading as though it were correctly designated, and may impose terms for doing
so.
(d) Pleading to Be Concise and Direct; Alternative Statements; Inconsistency.
(1) In General. Each allegation must be simple, concise, and direct. No technical form
is required.
(2) Alternative Statements of a Claim or Defense. A party may set out 2 or more state-
ments of a claim or defense alternatively or hypothetically, either in a single count
or defense or in separate ones. If a party makes alternative statements, the pleading
is sufficient if any one of them is sufficient.
(3) Inconsistent Claims or Defenses. A party may state as many separate claims or
defenses as it has, regardless of consistency.
(e) Construing Pleadings. Pleadings must be construed so as to do justice.
(As amended Feb. 28, 1966, eff. July 1, 1966; Mar. 2, 1987, eff. Aug. 1, 1987; Apr. 30, 2007, eff. Dec. 1, 2007.)

Rule 9. Pleading Special Matters

(a) Capacity or Authority to Sue; Legal Existence.
(1) In General. Except when required to show that the court has jurisdiction, a pleading
need not allege:
(A) a party’s capacity to sue or be sued;
(B) a party’s authority to sue or be sued in a representative capacity; or
(C) the legal existence of an organized association of persons that is made a
party.
(2) Raising Those Issues. To raise any of those issues, a party must do so by a specific
denial, which must state any supporting facts that are peculiarly within the party’s
knowledge.
(b) Fraud or Mistake; Conditions of Mind. In alleging fraud or mistake, a party must
state with particularity the circumstances constituting fraud or mistake. Malice, intent,
knowledge, and other conditions of a person’s mind may be alleged generally.
(c) Conditions Precedent. In pleading conditions precedent, it suffices to allege generally that
all conditions precedent have occurred or been performed. But when denying that a condi-
tion precedent has occurred or been performed, a party must do so with particularity.
(d) Official Document or Act. In pleading an official document or official act, it suffices to
allege that the document was legally issued or the act legally done.
(e) Judgment. In pleading a judgment or decision of a domestic or foreign court, a judicial
or quasi-judicial tribunal, or a board or officer, it suffices to plead the judgment or deci-
sion without showing jurisdiction to render it.
(f) Time and Place. An allegation of time or place is material when testing the sufficiency
of a pleading.
(g) Special Damages. If an item of special damage is claimed, it must be specifically
stated.
38
 FRCP 9
(h) Admiralty or Maritime Claim.
(1) How Designated. If a claim for relief is within the admiralty or maritime jurisdiction
and also within the court’s subject-matter jurisdiction on some other ground, the
pleading may designate the claim as an admiralty or maritime claim for purposes of
Rules 14(c), 38(e), and 82 and the Supplemental Rules for Admiralty or Maritime
Claims and Asset Forfeiture Actions. A claim cognizable only in the admiralty or
maritime jurisdiction is an admiralty or maritime claim for those purposes, whether
or not so designated.
(2) Designation for Appeal. A case that includes an admiralty or maritime claim within
this subdivision (h) is an admiralty case within 28 U.S.C. § 1292(a)(3).
(As amended Feb. 28, 1966, eff. July 1, 1966; Dec. 4, 1967, eff. July 1, 1968; Mar. 30, 1970, eff. July 1, 1970; Mar. 2, 1987,
eff. Aug. 1, 1987; Apr. 11, 1997, eff. Dec. 1, 1997; Apr. 12, 2006, eff. Dec. 1, 2006; Apr. 30, 2007, eff. Dec. 1, 2007.)

Rule 10. Form of Pleadings

(a) Caption; Names of Parties. Every pleading must have a caption with the court’s name,
a title, a file number, and a Rule 7(a) designation. The title of the complaint must name
all the parties; the title of other pleadings, after naming the first party on each side, may
refer generally to other parties.
(b) Paragraphs; Separate Statements. A party must state its claims or defenses in numbered
paragraphs, each limited as far as practicable to a single set of circumstances. A later
pleading may refer by number to a paragraph in an earlier pleading. If doing so would
promote clarity, each claim founded on a separate transaction or occurrence—and each
defense other than a denial—must be stated in a separate count or defense.
(c) Adoption by Reference; Exhibits. A statement in a pleading may be adopted by reference
elsewhere in the same pleading or in any other pleading or motion. A copy of a written
instrument that is an exhibit to a pleading is a part of the pleading for all purposes.
(As amended Apr. 30, 2007, eff. Dec. 1, 2007.)

Rule 11. Signing Pleadings, Motions, and Other Papers; Represen-

tations to the Court; Sanctions
(a) Signature. Every pleading, written motion, and other paper must be signed by at least
one attorney of record in the attorney’s name—or by a party personally if the party is
unrepresented. The paper must state the signer’s address, e-mail address, and telephone
number. Unless a rule or statute specifically states otherwise, a pleading need not be veri-
fied or accompanied by an affidavit. The court must strike an unsigned paper unless the
omission is promptly corrected after being called to the attorney’s or party’s attention.
(b) Representations to the Court. By presenting to the court a pleading, written motion, or
other paper—whether by signing, filing, submitting, or later advocating it—an attorney
or unrepresented party certifies that to the best of the person’s knowledge, information,
and belief, formed after an inquiry reasonable under the circumstances:
(1) it is not being presented for any improper purpose, such as to harass, cause unneces-
sary delay, or needlessly increase the cost of litigation;
(2) the claims, defenses, and other legal contentions are warranted by existing law or
by a nonfrivolous argument for extending, modifying, or reversing existing law or
for establishing new law;
(3) the factual contentions have evidentiary support or, if specifically so identified, will
likely have evidentiary support after a reasonable opportunity for further investiga-
tion or discovery; and
(4) the denials of factual contentions are warranted on the evidence or, if specifically
so identified, are reasonably based on belief or a lack of information.
39
FRCP 11
(c) Sanctions.
(1) In General. If, after notice and a reasonable opportunity to respond, the court
determines that Rule 11(b) has been violated, the court may impose an appropriate
sanction on any attorney, law firm, or party that violated the rule or is responsible
for the violation. Absent exceptional circumstances, a law firm must be held jointly
responsible for a violation committed by its partner, associate, or employee.
(2) Motion for Sanctions. A motion for sanctions must be made separately from any
other motion and must describe the specific conduct that allegedly violates Rule 11(b).
The motion must be served under Rule 5, but it must not be filed or be presented to
the court if the challenged paper, claim, defense, contention, or denial is withdrawn
or appropriately corrected within 21 days after service or within another time the
court sets. If warranted, the court may award to the prevailing party the reasonable
expenses, including attorney’s fees, incurred for the motion.
(3) On the Court’s Initiative. On its own, the court may order an attorney, law firm, or
party to show cause why conduct specifically described in the order has not violated
Rule 11(b).
(4) Nature of a Sanction. A sanction imposed under this rule must be limited to what
suffices to deter repetition of the conduct or comparable conduct by others similarly
situated. The sanction may include nonmonetary directives; an order to pay a penalty
into court; or, if imposed on motion and warranted for effective deterrence, an order
directing payment to the movant of part or all of the reasonable attorney’s fees and
other expenses directly resulting from the violation.
(5) Limitations on Monetary Sanctions. The court must not impose a monetary sanction:
(A) against a represented party for violating Rule 11(b)(2); or
(B) on its own, unless it issued the show-cause order under Rule 11(c)(3) before
voluntary dismissal or settlement of the claims made by or against the party
that is, or whose attorneys are, to be sanctioned.
(6) Requirements for an Order. An order imposing a sanction must describe the sanc-
tioned conduct and explain the basis for the sanction.
(d) Inapplicability to Discovery. This rule does not apply to disclosures and discovery
requests, responses, objections, and motions under Rules 26 through 37.
(As amended Apr. 28, 1983, eff. Aug. 1, 1983; Mar. 2, 1987, eff. Aug. 1, 1987; Apr. 22, 1993, eff. Dec. 1, 1993; Apr. 30,
2007, eff. Dec. 1, 2007.)

Rule 12. Defenses and Objections: When and How Presented; Mo

tion for Judgment on the Pleadings; Consolidating
Motions; Waiving Defenses; Pretrial Hearing
(a) Time to Serve a Responsive Pleading.
(1) In General. Unless another time is specified by this rule or a federal statute, the
time for serving a responsive pleading is as follows:
(A) A defendant must serve an answer:
(i) within 21 days after being served with the summons and complaint; or
(ii) if it has timely waived service under Rule 4(d), within 60 days after the
request for a waiver was sent, or within 90 days after it was sent to the
defendant outside any judicial district of the United States.
(B) A party must serve an answer to a counterclaim or crossclaim within 21 days
after being served with the pleading that states the counterclaim or crossclaim.
(C) A party must serve a reply to an answer within 21 days after being served with
an order to reply, unless the order specifies a different time.

40
 FRCP 12
(2) United States and Its Agencies, Officers, or Employees Sued in an Official Capacity.
The United States, a United States agency, or a United States officer or employee
sued only in an official capacity must serve an answer to a complaint, counterclaim,
or crossclaim within 60 days after service on the United States attorney.
(3) United States Officers or Employees Sued in an Individual Capacity. A United States
officer or employee sued in an individual capacity for an act or omission occurring in
connection with duties performed on the United States’ behalf must serve an answer
to a complaint, counterclaim, or crossclaim within 60 days after service on the officer
or employee or service on the United States attorney, whichever is later.
(4) Effect of a Motion. Unless the court sets a different time, serving a motion under
this rule alters these periods as follows:
(A) if the court denies the motion or postpones its disposition until trial, the responsive
pleading must be served within 14 days after notice of the court’s action; or
(B) if the court grants a motion for a more definite statement, the responsive plead-
ing must be served within 14 days after the more definite statement is served.
(b) How to Present Defenses. Every defense to a claim for relief in any pleading must be
asserted in the responsive pleading if one is required. But a party may assert the follow-
ing defenses by motion:
(1) lack of subject-matter jurisdiction;
(2) lack of personal jurisdiction;
(3) improper venue;
(4) insufficient process;
(5) insufficient service of process;
(6) failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted; and
(7) failure to join a party under Rule 19.
A motion asserting any of these defenses must be made before pleading if a responsive pleading
is allowed. If a pleading sets out a claim for relief that does not require a responsive pleading,
an opposing party may assert at trial any defense to that claim. No defense or objection is
waived by joining it with one or more other defenses or objections in a responsive pleading
or in a motion.
(c) Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings. After the pleadings are closed—but early
enough not to delay trial—a party may move for judgment on the pleadings.
(d) Result of Presenting Matters Outside the Pleadings. If, on a motion under Rule 12(b)
(6) or 12(c), matters outside the pleadings are presented to and not excluded by the court,
the motion must be treated as one for summary judgment under Rule 56. All parties must
be given a reasonable opportunity to present all the material that is pertinent to the mo-
tion.
(e) Motion for a More Definite Statement. A party may move for a more definite state-
ment of a pleading to which a responsive pleading is allowed but which is so vague or
ambiguous that the party cannot reasonably prepare a response. The motion must be made
before filing a responsive pleading and must point out the defects complained of and the
details desired. If the court orders a more definite statement and the order is not obeyed
within 14 days after notice of the order or within the time the court sets, the court may
strike the pleading or issue any other appropriate order.
(f) Motion to Strike. The court may strike from a pleading an insufficient defense or any
redundant, immaterial, impertinent, or scandalous matter. The court may act:
(1) on its own; or
(2) on motion made by a party either before responding to the pleading or, if a response
is not allowed, within 21 days after being served with the pleading.
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FRCP 12
(g) Joining Motions.
(1) Right to Join. A motion under this rule may be joined with any other motion allowed
by this rule.
(2) Limitation on Further Motions. Except as provided in Rule 12(h)(2) or (3), a party
that makes a motion under this rule must not make another motion under this rule
raising a defense or objection that was available to the party but omitted from its
earlier motion.
(h) Waiving and Preserving Certain Defenses.
(1) When Some Are Waived. A party waives any defense listed in Rule 12(b)(2)-(5)
by:
(A) omitting it from a motion in the circumstances described in Rule 12(g)(2); or
(B) failing to either:
(i) make it by motion under this rule; or
(ii) include it in a responsive pleading or in an amendment allowed by Rule
15(a)(1) as a matter of course.
(2) When to Raise Others. Failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted, to
join a person required by Rule 19(b), or to state a legal defense to a claim may be
raised:
(A) in any pleading allowed or ordered under Rule 7(a);
(B) by a motion under Rule 12(c); or
(C) at trial.
(3) Lack of Subject-Matter Jurisdiction. If the court determines at any time that it lacks
subject-matter jurisdiction, the court must dismiss the action.
(i) Hearing Before Trial. If a party so moves, any defense listed in Rule 12(b)(1)-(7)—
whether made in a pleading or by motion—and a motion under Rule 12(c) must be heard
and decided before trial unless the court orders a deferral until trial.
(As amended Dec. 27, 1946, eff. Mar. 19, 1948; Jan. 21, 1963, eff. July 1, 1963; Feb. 28, 1966, eff. July 1, 1966; Mar. 2,
1987, eff. Aug. 1, 1987; Apr. 22, 1993, eff. Dec. 1, 1993; Apr. 17, 2000, eff. Dec. 1, 2000; Apr. 30, 2007, eff. Dec. 1, 2007;
Mar. 26, 2009, eff. Dec. 1, 2009.)

Rule 13. Counterclaim and Crossclaim

(a) Compulsory Counterclaim.
(1) In General. A pleading must state as a counterclaim any claim that—at the time of
its service—the pleader has against an opposing party if the claim:
(A) arises out of the transaction or occurrence that is the subject matter of the op-
posing party’s claim; and
(B) does not require adding another party over whom the court cannot acquire
jurisdiction.
(2) Exceptions. The pleader need not state the claim if:
(A) when the action was commenced, the claim was the subject of another pending
action; or
(B) the opposing party sued on its claim by attachment or other process that did not
establish personal jurisdiction over the pleader on that claim, and the pleader
does not assert any counterclaim under this rule.
(b) Permissive Counterclaim. A pleading may state as a counterclaim against an opposing
party any claim that is not compulsory.
(c) Relief Sought in a Counterclaim. A counterclaim need not diminish or defeat the
recovery sought by the opposing party. It may request relief that exceeds in amount or
differs in kind from the relief sought by the opposing party.

42
 FRCP 13
(d) Counterclaim Against the United States. These rules do not expand the right to assert a coun-
terclaim—or to claim a credit—against the United States or a United States officer or agency.
(e) Counterclaim Maturing or Acquired After Pleading. The court may permit a party to
file a supplemental pleading asserting a counterclaim that matured or was acquired by
the party after serving an earlier pleading.
(f) [Abrogated.]
(g) Crossclaim Against a Coparty. A pleading may state as a crossclaim any claim by one
party against a coparty if the claim arises out of the transaction or occurrence that is the
subject matter of the original action or of a counterclaim, or if the claim relates to any
property that is the subject matter of the original action. The crossclaim may include a
claim that the coparty is or may be liable to the crossclaimant for all or part of a claim
asserted in the action against the crossclaimant.
(h) Joining Additional Parties. Rules 19 and 20 govern the addition of a person as a party
to a counterclaim or crossclaim.
(i) Separate Trials; Separate Judgments. If the court orders separate trials under Rule
42(b), it may enter judgment on a counterclaim or crossclaim under Rule 54(b) when
it has jurisdiction to do so, even if the opposing party’s claims have been dismissed or
otherwise resolved.
(As amended Dec. 27, 1946, eff. Mar. 19, 1948; Jan. 21, 1963, eff. July 1, 1963; Feb. 28, 1966, eff. July 1, 1966; Mar. 2,
1987, eff. Aug. 1, 1987; Apr. 30, 2007, eff. Dec. 1, 2007; Mar. 26, 2009, eff. Dec. 1, 2009.)

Rule 14. Third-Party Practice

(a) When a Defending Party May Bring in a Third Party.
(1) Timing of the Summons and Complaint. A defending party may, as third-party
plaintiff, serve a summons and complaint on a nonparty who is or may be liable to
it for all or part of the claim against it. But the third-party plaintiff must, by motion,
obtain the court’s leave if it files the third-party complaint more than 14 days after
serving its original answer.
(2) Third-Party Defendant’s Claims and Defenses. The person served with the sum-
mons and third-party complaint—the “third-party defendant”:
(A) must assert any defense against the third-party plaintiff’s claim under Rule
12;
(B) must assert any counterclaim against the third-party plaintiff under Rule 13(a),
and may assert any counterclaim against the third-party plaintiff under Rule
13(b) or any crossclaim against another third-party defendant under Rule
13(g);
(C) may assert against the plaintiff any defense that the third-party plaintiff has to
the plaintiff’s claim; and
(D) may also assert against the plaintiff any claim arising out of the transaction or
occurrence that is the subject matter of the plaintiff’s claim against the third-
party plaintiff.
(3) Plaintiff’s Claims Against a Third-Party Defendant. The plaintiff may assert against
the third-party defendant any claim arising out of the transaction or occurrence that
is the subject matter of the plaintiff’s claim against the third-party plaintiff. The
third-party defendant must then assert any defense under Rule 12 and any counter-
claim under Rule 13(a), and may assert any counterclaim under Rule 13(b) or any
crossclaim under Rule 13(g).
(4) Motion to Strike, Sever, or Try Separately. Any party may move to strike the third-
party claim, to sever it, or to try it separately.

43
FRCP 14
(5) Third-Party Defendant’s Claim Against a Nonparty. A third-party defendant may
proceed under this rule against a nonparty who is or may be liable to the third-party
defendant for all or part of any claim against it.
(6) Third-Party Complaint In Rem. If it is within the admiralty or maritime jurisdic-
tion, a third-party complaint may be in rem. In that event, a reference in this rule to
the “summons” includes the warrant of arrest, and a reference to the defendant or
third-party plaintiff includes, when appropriate, a person who asserts a right under
Supplemental Rule C(6)(a)(i) in the property arrested.
(b) When a Plaintiff May Bring in a Third Party. When a claim is asserted against a
plaintiff, the plaintiff may bring in a third party if this rule would allow a defendant to
do so.
(c) Admiralty or Maritime Claim.
(1) Scope of Impleader. If a plaintiff asserts an admiralty or maritime claim under Rule
9(h), the defendant or a person who asserts a right under Supplemental Rule C(6)(a)
(i) may, as a third-party plaintiff, bring in a third-party defendant who may be wholly
or partly liable—either to the plaintiff or to the third-party plaintiff—for remedy
over, contribution, or otherwise on account of the same transaction, occurrence, or
series of transactions or occurrences.
(2) Defending Against a Demand for Judgment for the Plaintiff. The third-party
plaintiff may demand judgment in the plaintiff’s favor against the third-party de-
fendant. In that event, the third-party defendant must defend under Rule 12 against
the plaintiff’s claim as well as the third-party plaintiff’s claim; and the action pro-
ceeds as if the plaintiff had sued both the third-party defendant and the third-party
plaintiff.
(As amended Dec. 27, 1946, eff. Mar. 19, 1948; Jan. 21, 1963, eff. July 1, 1963; Feb. 28, 1966, eff. July 1, 1966; Mar. 2,
1987, eff. Aug. 1, 1987; Apr. 17, 2000, eff. Dec. 1, 2000; Apr. 12, 2006, eff. Dec. 1, 2006; Apr. 30, 2007, eff. Dec. 1, 2007;
Mar. 26, 2009, eff. Dec. 1, 2009.)

Rule 15. Amended and Supplemental Pleadings

(a) Amendments Before Trial.
(1) Amending as a Matter of Course. A party may amend its pleading once as a matter
of course within:
(A) 21 days after serving it, or
(B) if the pleading is one to which a responsive pleading is required, 21 days after
service of a responsive pleading or 21 days after service of a motion under
Rule 12(b), (e), or (f), whichever is earlier.
(2) Other Amendments. In all other cases, a party may amend its pleading only with
the opposing party’s written consent or the court’s leave. The court should freely
give leave when justice so requires.
(3) Time to Respond. Unless the court orders otherwise, any required response to an
amended pleading must be made within the time remaining to respond to the original
pleading or within 14 days after service of the amended pleading, whichever is later.
(b) Amendments During and After Trial.
(1) Based on an Objection at Trial. If, at trial, a party objects that evidence is not within
the issues raised in the pleadings, the court may permit the pleadings to be amended.
The court should freely permit an amendment when doing so will aid in presenting
the merits and the objecting party fails to satisfy the court that the evidence would
prejudice that party’s action or defense on the merits. The court may grant a continu-
ance to enable the objecting party to meet the evidence.

44
 FRCP 15
(2) For Issues Tried by Consent. When an issue not raised by the pleadings is tried by
the parties’ express or implied consent, it must be treated in all respects as if raised
in the pleadings. A party may move—at any time, even after judgment—to amend
the pleadings to conform them to the evidence and to raise an unpleaded issue. But
failure to amend does not affect the result of the trial of that issue.
(c) Relation Back of Amendments.
(1) When an Amendment Relates Back. An amendment to a pleading relates back to
the date of the original pleading when:
(A) the law that provides the applicable statute of limitations allows relation
back;
(B) the amendment asserts a claim or defense that arose out of the conduct, transaction,
or occurrence set out—or attempted to be set out—in the original pleading; or
(C) the amendment changes the party or the naming of the party against whom
a claim is asserted, if Rule 15(c)(1)(B) is satisfied and if, within the period
provided by Rule 4(m) for serving the summons and complaint, the party to
be brought in by amendment:
(i) received such notice of the action that it will not be prejudiced in defend-
ing on the merits; and
(ii) knew or should have known that the action would have been brought
against it, but for a mistake concerning the proper party’s identity.
(2) Notice to the United States. When the United States or a United States officer or
agency is added as a defendant by amendment, the notice requirements of Rule 15(c)
(1)(C)(i) and (ii) are satisfied if, during the stated period, process was delivered or
mailed to the United States attorney or the United States attorney’s designee, to the
Attorney General of the United States, or to the officer or agency.
(d) Supplemental Pleadings. On motion and reasonable notice, the court may, on just terms,
permit a party to serve a supplemental pleading setting out any transaction, occurrence,
or event that happened after the date of the pleading to be supplemented. The court may
permit supplementation even though the original pleading is defective in stating a claim
or defense. The court may order that the opposing party plead to the supplemental plead-
ing within a specified time.
(As amended Jan. 21, 1963, eff. July 1, 1963; Feb. 28, 1966, eff. July 1, 1966; Mar. 2, 1987, eff. Aug. 1, 1987; Apr. 30,
1991, eff. Dec. 1, 1991; Dec. 9, 1991; Apr. 22, 1993, eff. Dec. 1, 1993; Apr. 30, 2007, eff. Dec. 1, 2007; Mar. 26, 2009, eff.
Dec. 1, 2009.)

Rule 16. Pretrial Conferences; Scheduling; Management

(a) Purposes of a Pretrial Conference. In any action, the court may order the attorneys
and any unrepresented parties to appear for one or more pretrial conferences for such
purposes as:
(1) expediting disposition of the action;
(2) establishing early and continuing control so that the case will not be protracted
because of lack of management;
(3) discouraging wasteful pretrial activities;
(4) improving the quality of the trial through more thorough preparation; and
(5) facilitating settlement.
(b) Scheduling.
(1) Scheduling Order. Except in categories of actions exempted by local rule, the
district judge—or a magistrate judge when authorized by local rule—must issue a
scheduling order:

45
FRCP 16
(A) after receiving the parties’ report under Rule 26(f); or
(B) after consulting with the parties’ attorneys and any unrepresented parties at a
scheduling conference or by telephone, mail, or other means.
(2) Time to Issue. The judge must issue the scheduling order as soon as practicable,
but in any event within the earlier of 120 days after any defendant has been served
with the complaint or 90 days after any defendant has appeared.
(3) Contents of the Order.
(A) Required Contents. The scheduling order must limit the time to join other par-
ties, amend the pleadings, complete discovery, and file motions.
(B) Permitted Contents. The scheduling order may:
(i) modify the timing of disclosures under Rules 26(a) and 26(e)(1);
(ii) modify the extent of discovery;
(iii) provide for disclosure or discovery of electronically stored informa-
tion;
(iv) include any agreements the parties reach for asserting claims of privi-
lege or of protection as trial-preparation material after information is
produced;
(v) set dates for pretrial conferences and for trial; and
(vi) include other appropriate matters.
(4) Modifying a Schedule. A schedule may be modified only for good cause and with
the judge’s consent.
(c) Attendance and Matters for Consideration at a Pretrial Conference.
(1) Attendance. A represented party must authorize at least one of its attorneys to make
stipulations and admissions about all matters that can reasonably be anticipated for
discussion at a pretrial conference. If appropriate, the court may require that a party
or its representative be present or reasonably available by other means to consider
possible settlement.
(2) Matters for Consideration. At any pretrial conference, the court may consider and
take appropriate action on the following matters:
(A) formulating and simplifying the issues, and eliminating frivolous claims or
defenses;
(B) amending the pleadings if necessary or desirable;
(C) obtaining admissions and stipulations about facts and documents to avoid un-
necessary proof, and ruling in advance on the admissibility of evidence;
(D) avoiding unnecessary proof and cumulative evidence, and limiting the use of
testimony under Federal Rule of Evidence 702;
(E) determining the appropriateness and timing of summary adjudication under
Rule 56;
(F) controlling and scheduling discovery, including orders affecting disclosures
and discovery under Rule 26 and Rules 29 through 37;
(G) identifying witnesses and documents, scheduling the filing and exchange of
any pretrial briefs, and setting dates for further conferences and for trial;
(H) referring matters to a magistrate judge or a master;
(I) settling the case and using special procedures to assist in resolving the dispute
when authorized by statute or local rule;
(J) determining the form and content of the pretrial order;
(K) disposing of pending motions;
(L) adopting special procedures for managing potentially difficult or protracted

46
 FRCP 16
actions that may involve complex issues, multiple parties, difficult legal ques-
tions, or unusual proof problems;
(M) ordering a separate trial under Rule 42(b) of a claim, counterclaim, crossclaim,
third-party claim, or particular issue;
(N) ordering the presentation of evidence early in the trial on a manageable issue
that might, on the evidence, be the basis for a judgment as a matter of law
under Rule 50(a) or a judgment on partial findings under Rule 52(c);
(O) establishing a reasonable limit on the time allowed to present evidence; and
(P) facilitating in other ways the just, speedy, and inexpensive disposition of the action.
(d) Pretrial Orders. After any conference under this rule, the court should issue an order reciting
the action taken. This order controls the course of the action unless the court modifies it.
(e) Final Pretrial Conference and Orders. The court may hold a final pretrial conference
to formulate a trial plan, including a plan to facilitate the admission of evidence. The
conference must be held as close to the start of trial as is reasonable, and must be attended
by at least one attorney who will conduct the trial for each party and by any unrepresented
party. The court may modify the order issued after a final pretrial conference only to
prevent manifest injustice.
(f) Sanctions.
(1) In General. On motion or on its own, the court may issue any just orders, including
those authorized by Rule 37(b)(2)(A)(ii)-(vii), if a party or its attorney:
(A) fails to appear at a scheduling or other pretrial conference;
(B) is substantially unprepared to participate—or does not participate in good
faith—in the conference; or
(C) fails to obey a scheduling or other pretrial order.
(2) Imposing Fees and Costs. Instead of or in addition to any other sanction, the court
must order the party, its attorney, or both to pay the reasonable expenses—including
attorney’s fees—incurred because of any noncompliance with this rule, unless the
noncompliance was substantially justified or other circumstances make an award
of expenses unjust.
(As amended Apr. 28, 1983, eff. Aug. 1, 1983; Mar. 2, 1987, eff. Aug. 1, 1987; Apr. 22, 1993, eff. Dec. 1, 1993; Apr. 12,
2006, eff. Dec. 1, 2006; Apr. 30, 2007, eff. Dec. 1, 2007.)

TITLE IV. PARTIES

Rule 17. Plaintiff and Defendant; Capacity; Public Officers
(a) Real Party in Interest.
(1) Designation in General. An action must be prosecuted in the name of the real party
in interest. The following may sue in their own names without joining the person
for whose benefit the action is brought:
(A) an executor;
(B) an administrator;
(C) a guardian;
(D) a bailee;
(E) a trustee of an express trust;
(F) a party with whom or in whose name a contract has been made for another’s
benefit; and
(G) a party authorized by statute.
(2) Action in the Name of the United States for Another’s Use or Benefit. When a
federal statute so provides, an action for another’s use or benefit must be brought in
the name of the United States.
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FRCP 17
(3) Joinder of the Real Party in Interest. The court may not dismiss an action for
failure to prosecute in the name of the real party in interest until, after an objection,
a reasonable time has been allowed for the real party in interest to ratify, join, or
be substituted into the action. After ratification, joinder, or substitution, the action
proceeds as if it had been originally commenced by the real party in interest.
(b) Capacity to Sue or Be Sued. Capacity to sue or be sued is determined as follows:
(1) for an individual who is not acting in a representative capacity, by the law of the
individual’s domicile;
(2) for a corporation, by the law under which it was organized; and
(3) for all other parties, by the law of the state where the court is located, except that:
(A) a partnership or other unincorporated association with no such capacity under
that state’s law may sue or be sued in its common name to enforce a substantive
right existing under the United States Constitution or laws; and
(B) 28 U.S.C. §§ 754 and 959(a) govern the capacity of a receiver appointed by a
United States court to sue or be sued in a United States court.
(c) Minor or Incompetent Person.
(1) With a Representative. The following representatives may sue or defend on behalf
of a minor or an incompetent person:
(A) a general guardian;
(B) a committee;
(C) a conservator; or
(D) a like fiduciary.
(2) Without a Representative. A minor or an incompetent person who does not have a
duly appointed representative may sue by a next friend or by a guardian ad litem.
The court must appoint a guardian ad litem—or issue another appropriate order—to
protect a minor or incompetent person who is unrepresented in an action.
(d) Public Officer’s Title and Name. A public officer who sues or is sued in an official
capacity may be designated by official title rather than by name, but the court may order
that the officer’s name be added.
(As amended Dec. 27, 1946, eff. Mar. 19, 1948; Dec. 29, 1948, eff. Oct. 20, 1949; Feb. 28, 1966, eff. July 1, 1966; Mar. 2,
1987, eff. Aug. 1, 1987; Apr. 25, 1988, eff. Aug. 1, 1988; Nov. 18, 1988; Apr. 30, 2007, eff. Dec. 1, 2007.)

Rule 18. Joinder of Claims

(a) In General. A party asserting a claim, counterclaim, crossclaim, or third-party claim may join,
as independent or alternative claims, as many claims as it has against an opposing party.
(b) Joinder of Contingent Claims. A party may join two claims even though one of them
is contingent on the disposition of the other; but the court may grant relief only in ac-
cordance with the parties’ relative substantive rights. In particular, a plaintiff may state
a claim for money and a claim to set aside a conveyance that is fraudulent as to that
plaintiff, without first obtaining a judgment for the money.
(As amended Feb. 28, 1966, eff. July 1, 1966; Mar. 2, 1987, eff. Aug. 1, 1987; Apr. 30, 2007, eff. Dec. 1, 2007.)

Rule 19. Required Joinder of Parties

(a) Persons Required to Be Joined if Feasible.
(1) Required Party. A person who is subject to service of process and whose joinder will
not deprive the court of subject-matter jurisdiction must be joined as a party if:
(A) in that person’s absence, the court cannot accord complete relief among existing
parties; or
(B) that person claims an interest relating to the subject of the action and is so
situated that disposing of the action in the person’s absence may:
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 FRCP 19
(i) as a practical matter impair or impede the person’s ability to protect the
interest; or
(ii) leave an existing party subject to a substantial risk of incurring double,
multiple, or otherwise inconsistent obligations because of the interest.
(2) Joinder by Court Order. If a person has not been joined as required, the court must
order that the person be made a party. A person who refuses to join as a plaintiff
may be made either a defendant or, in a proper case, an involuntary plaintiff.
(3) Venue. If a joined party objects to venue and the joinder would make venue improper,
the court must dismiss that party.
(b) When Joinder Is Not Feasible. If a person who is required to be joined if feasible cannot
be joined, the court must determine whether, in equity and good conscience, the action
should proceed among the existing parties or should be dismissed. The factors for the
court to consider include:
(1) the extent to which a judgment rendered in the person’s absence might prejudice
that person or the existing parties;
(2) the extent to which any prejudice could be lessened or avoided by:
(A) protective provisions in the judgment;
(B) shaping the relief; or
(C) other measures;
(3) whether a judgment rendered in the person’s absence would be adequate; and
(4) whether the plaintiff would have an adequate remedy if the action were dismissed
for nonjoinder.
(c) Pleading the Reasons for Nonjoinder. When asserting a claim for relief, a party must
state:
(1) the name, if known, of any person who is required to be joined if feasible but is not
joined; and
(2) the reasons for not joining that person.
(d) Exception for Class Actions. This rule is subject to Rule 23.
(As amended Feb. 28, 1966, eff. July 1, 1966; Mar. 2, 1987, eff. Aug. 1, 1987; Apr. 30, 2007, eff. Dec. 1, 2007.)

Rule 20. Permissive Joinder of Parties

(a) Persons Who May Join or Be Joined.
(1) Plaintiffs. Persons may join in one action as plaintiffs if:
(A) they assert any right to relief jointly, severally, or in the alternative with respect
to or arising out of the same transaction, occurrence, or series of transactions
or occurrences; and
(B) any question of law or fact common to all plaintiffs will arise in the action.
(2) Defendants. Persons—as well as a vessel, cargo, or other property subject to admi-
ralty process in rem—may be joined in one action as defendants if:
(A) any right to relief is asserted against them jointly, severally, or in the alternative
with respect to or arising out of the same transaction, occurrence, or series of
transactions or occurrences; and
(B) any question of law or fact common to all defendants will arise in the action.
(3) Extent of Relief. Neither a plaintiff nor a defendant need be interested in obtaining
or defending against all the relief demanded. The court may grant judgment to one
or more plaintiffs according to their rights, and against one or more defendants ac-
cording to their liabilities.
(b) Protective Measures. The court may issue orders—including an order for separate
trials—to protect a party against embarrassment, delay, expense, or other prejudice that

49
FRCP 83
noncompliance with any requirement not in federal law, federal rules, or the local rules
unless the alleged violator has been furnished in the particular case with actual notice of
the requirement.
(As amended Apr. 29, 1985, eff. Aug. 1, 1985; Apr. 27, 1995, eff. Dec. 1, 1995; Apr. 30, 2007, eff. Dec. 1, 2007.)

Rule 84. Forms

The forms in the Appendix suffice under these rules and illustrate the simplicity and brevity
that these rules contemplate.
(As amended Dec. 27, 1946, eff. Mar. 19, 1948; Apr. 30, 2007, eff. Dec. 1, 2007.)

Rule 85. Title

These rules may be cited as the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
(As amended Apr. 30, 2007, eff. Dec. 1, 2007.)

Rule 86. Effective Dates

(a) In General. These rules and any amendments take effect at the time specified by the
Supreme Court, subject to 28 U.S.C. § 2074. They govern:
(1) proceedings in an action commenced after their effective date; and
(2) proceedings after that date in an action then pending unless:
(A) the Supreme Court specifies otherwise; or
(B) the court determines that applying them in a particular action would be infeasible
or work an injustice.
(b) December 1, 2007 Amendments. If any provision in Rules 1-5.1, 6-73, or 77-86 conflicts
with another law, priority in time for the purpose of 28 U.S.C. § 2072(b) is not affected
by the amendments taking effect on December 1, 2007.
(As amended Dec. 27, 1946, eff. Mar. 19, 1948; Dec. 29, 1948, eff. Oct. 20, 1949; Apr. 17, 1961, eff. July 19, 1961; Jan. 21
and Mar. 18, 1963, eff. July 1, 1963; Apr. 30, 2007, eff. Dec. 1, 2007.)

108
 Table of Forms
APPENDIX OF FORMS*
(See Rule 84)
Table of Forms
Form 1. Caption.
Form 2. Date, Signature, Address, E-mail Address, and Telephone Number.
Form 3. Summons.
Form 4. Summons on a Third-Party Complaint.
Form 5. Notice of a Lawsuit and Request to Waive Service of a Summons.
Form 6. Waiver of the Service of Summons.
Form 7. Statement of Jurisdiction.
Form 8. Statement of Reasons for Omitting a Party.
Form 9. Statement Noting a Party’s Death.
Form 10. Complaint to Recover a Sum Certain.
Form 11. Complaint for Negligence.
Form 12. Complaint for Negligence When the Plaintiff Does Not Know Who Is Responsible.
Form 13. Complaint for Negligence Under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act.
Form 14. Complaint for Damages Under the Merchant Marine Act.
Form 15. Complaint for the Conversion of Property.
Form 16. Third-Party Complaint.
Form 17. Complaint for Specific Performance of a Contract to Convey Land.
Form 18. Complaint for Patent Infringement.
Form 19. Complaint for Copyright Infringement and Unfair Competition.
Form 20. Complaint for Interpleader and Declaratory Relief.
Form 21. Complaint on a Claim for a Debt and to Set Aside a Fraudulent Conveyance
Under Rule 18(b).
Form 30. Answer Presenting Defenses Under Rule 12(b).
Form 31. Answer to a Complaint for Money Had and Received with a Counterclaim for
Interpleader.
Form 40. Motion to Dismiss Under Rule 12(b) for Lack of Jurisdiction, Improper Venue,
Insufficient Service of Process, or Failure to State a Claim.
Form 41. Motion to Bring in a Third-Party Defendant.
Form 42. Motion to Intervene as a Defendant Under Rule 24.
Form 50. Request to Produce Documents and Tangible Things, or to Enter onto Land
Under Rule 34.
Form 51. Request for Admissions Under Rule 36.
Form 52. Report of the Parties’ Planning Meeting.
Form 60. Notice of Condemnation.
Form 61. Complaint for Condemnation.
Form 70. Judgment on a Jury Verdict.
Form 71. Judgment by the Court without a Jury.
Form 80. Notice of a Magistrate Judge’s Availability.
Form 81. Consent to an Assignment to a Magistrate Judge.
Form 82. Order of Assignment to a Magistrate Judge.

*Publisher’s note: These forms were completely revised and renumbered as part of the comprehensive “retyle”
amendments approved by the U.S. Supreme Court on April 30, 2007, effective Dec. 1, 2007.
109
Form 1
Form 1. Caption.
(Use on every summons, complaint, answer, motion, or other document.)

United States District Court

for the
___________District of ____________

A B, Plaintiff )
)
v. )
) Civil Action No. ______
C D, Defendant )
)
v. )
)
E F, Third-Party Defendant )
(Use if needed.) )

(Name of Document)
Form 2. Date, Signature, Address, E-mail Address, and Telephone
Number.
(Use at the conclusion of pleadings and other papers that require a signature.)

Date _________ _________________________

(Signature of the attorney
or unrepresented party)
_________________________
(Printed name)
_________________________
(Address)
_________________________
(E-mail address)
_________________________
(Telephone number)
Form 3. Summons.
(Caption—See Form 1.)

To name the defendant:

A lawsuit has been filed against you.

Within 21 days after service of this summons on you (not counting the day you received it),
you must serve on the plaintiff an answer to the attached complaint or a motion under Rule 12
of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The answer or motion must be served on the plaintiff’s
attorney,___________, whose address is ____________. If you fail to do so, judgment by
default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the complaint. You also must
file your answer or motion with the court.

110
 Form 3
Date ________ ___________________
Clerk of Court
(Court Seal)

(Use 60 days if the defendant is the United States or a United States agency, or is an officer
or employee of the United States allowed 60 days by Rule 12(a)(3).)
As amended Mar. 26, 2009, eff. Dec. 1, 2009.

Form 4. Summons on a Third-Party Complaint.

(Caption—See Form 1.)

To name the third-party defendant:

A lawsuit has been filed against defendant ________, who as third-party plaintiff is making
this claim against you to pay part or all of what [he] may owe to the plaintiff _______.

Within 21 days after service of this summons on you (not counting the day you received it), you
must serve on the plaintiff and on the defendant an answer to the attached third-party complaint
or a motion under Rule 12 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The answer or motion must
be served on the defendant’s attorney, ________, whose address is, ________, and also on the
plaintiff’s attorney, ________, whose address is, ________. If you fail to do so, judgment by
default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the third-party complaint. You
also must file the answer or motion with the court and serve it on any other parties.

A copy of the plaintiff’s complaint is also attached. You may—but are not required to—
respond to it.

Date ________ ___________________

Clerk of Court
(Court Seal)

As amended Mar. 26, 2009, eff. Dec. 1, 2009.

Form 5. Notice of a Lawsuit and Request to Waive Service of a Sum-

mons.
(Caption—See Form 1.)

To (name the defendant—or if the defendant is a corporation, partnership, or association

name an officer or agent authorized to receive service):

Why are you getting this?

A lawsuit has been filed against you, or the entity you represent, in this court under the number
shown above. A copy of the complaint is attached.

This is not a summons, or an official notice from the court. It is a request that, to avoid ex-
penses, you waive formal service of a summons by signing and returning the enclosed waiver.
To avoid these expenses, you must return the signed waiver within (give at least 30 days or
at least 60 days if the defendant is outside any judicial district of the United States) from the

111
Form 5
date shown below, which is the date this notice was sent. Two copies of the waiver form are
enclosed, along with a stamped, self-addressed envelope or other prepaid means for returning
one copy. You may keep the other copy.

What happens next?

If you return the signed waiver, I will file it with the court. The action will then proceed as if
you had been served on the date the waiver is filed, but no summons will be served on you and
you will have 60 days from the date this notice is sent (see the date below) to answer the com-
plaint (or 90 days if this notice is sent to you outside any judicial district of the United States).

If you do not return the signed waiver within the time indicated, I will arrange to have the
summons and complaint served on you. And I will ask the court to require you, or the entity
you represent, to pay the expenses of making service.

Please read the enclosed statement about the duty to avoid unnecessary expenses.

I certify that this request is being sent to you on the date below.

(Date and sign—See Form 2.)

Form 6. Waiver of the Service of Summons.

(Caption—See Form 1.)

To name the plaintiff’s attorney or the unrepresented plaintiff:

I have received your request to waive service of a summons in this action along with a copy
of the complaint, two copies of this waiver form, and a prepaid means of returning one signed
copy of the form to you.

I, or the entity I represent, agree to save the expense of serving a summons and complaint
in this case.

I understand that I, or the entity I represent, will keep all defenses or objections to the lawsuit,
the court’s jurisdiction, and the venue of the action, but that I waive any objections to the
absence of a summons or of service.

I also understand that I, or the entity I represent, must file and serve an answer or a motion
under Rule 12 within 60 days from ______, the date when this request was sent (or 90 days
if it was sent outside the United States). If I fail to do so, a default judgment will be entered
against me or the entity I represent.

(Date and sign—See Form 2.)

(Attach the following to Form 6.)

Duty to Avoid Unnecessary Expenses of Serving a Summons

Rule 4 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure requires certain defendants to cooperate in
saving unnecessary expenses of serving a summons and complaint. A defendant who is lo-
cated in the United States and who fails to return a signed waiver of service requested by a
112
 Form 6
plaintiff located in the United States will be required to pay the expenses of service, unless
the defendant shows good cause for the failure.

“Good cause” does not include a belief that the lawsuit is groundless, or that it has been
brought in an improper venue, or that the court has no jurisdiction over this matter or over
the defendant or the defendant’s property.

If the waiver is signed and returned, you can still make these and all other defenses and objec-
tions, but you cannot object to the absence of a summons or of service.

If you waive service, then you must, within the time specified on the waiver form, serve an answer
or a motion under Rule 12 on the plaintiff and file a copy with the court. By signing and return-
ing the waiver form, you are allowed more time to respond than if a summons had been served.

Form 7. Statement of Jurisdiction.

a. (For diversity-of-citizenship jurisdiction.) The plaintiff is [a citizen of Michigan]
[a corporation incorporated under the laws of Michigan with its principal place
of business in Michigan]. The defendant is [a citizen of New York] [a corporation
incorporated under the laws of New York with its principal place of business in New
York]. The amount in controversy, without interest and costs, exceeds the sum or
value specified by 28 U.S.C. § 1332.

b. (For federal-question jurisdiction.) This action arises under [the United States Con-
stitution, specify the article or amendment and the section] [a United States treaty
specify] [a federal statute, ___U.S.C. § __].

c. (For a claim in the admiralty or maritime jurisdiction.) This is a case of admiralty

or maritime jurisdiction. (To invoke admiralty status under Rule 9(h) use the fol-
lowing: This is an admiralty or maritime claim within the meaning of Rule 9(h).)

Form 8. Statement of Reasons for Omitting a Party.

(If a person who ought to be made a party under Rule 19(a) is not named, include this state-
ment in accordance with Rule 19(c).)

This complaint does not join as a party name who [is not subject to this court’s personal
jurisdiction] [cannot be made a party without depriving this court of subject-matter jurisdic-
tion] because state the reason.

Form 9. Statement Noting a Party’s Death.

(Caption—See Form 1.)

In accordance with Rule 25(a) name the person, who is [a party to this action] [a representa-
tive of or successor to the deceased party] notes the death during the pendency of this action
of name, [describe as party in this action].

(Date and sign—See Form 2.)

113
Admiralty Rules Table
SUPPLEMENTAL RULES FOR ADMIRALTY OR MARI-
TIME CLAIMS AND ASSET FORFEITURE ACTIONS
Table of Rules
Rule A. Scope of Rules
Rule B. In Personam Actions: Attachment and Garnishment:
(1) When Available; Complaint, Affidavit, Judicial Authorization, and Process
(2) Notice to Defendant
(3) Answer:
(a) By Garnishee
(b) By Defendant
Rule C. In Rem Actions: Special Provisions:
(1) When Available
(2) Complaint
(3) Judicial Authorization and Process:
(a) Arrest Warrant
(b) Service
(c) Deposit in Court
(d) Supplemental Process
(4) Notice
(5) Ancillary Process
(6) Responsive Pleading; Interrogatories
(a) Statement of Interest; Answer
(b) Interrogatories
Rule D. Possessory, Petitory, and Partition Actions
Rule E. Actions in Rem and Quasi in Rem: General Provisions:
(1) Applicability
(2) Complaint; Security:
(a) Complaint
(b) Security for Costs
(3) Process
(4) Execution of Process; Marshal’s Return; Custody of Property; Procedures for
Release:
(a) In General
(b) Tangible Property
(c) Intangible Property
(d) Directions With Respect to Property in Custody
(e) Expenses of Seizing and Keeping Property; Deposit
(f) Procedure for Release From Arrest or Attachment
(5) Release of Property:
(a) Special Bond
(b) General Bond
(c) Release by Consent or Stipulation; Order of Court or Clerk; Costs
(d) Possessory, Petitory, and Partition Actions
(6) Reduction or Impairment of Security
(7) Security on Counterclaim
(8) Restricted Appearance
(9) Disposition of Property; Sales:
128
 Admiralty Rules Table
(a) Interlocutory Sales; Delivery
(b) Sales; Proceeds
(10) Preservation of Property
Rule F. Limitation of Liability:
(1) Time for Filing Complaint; Security
(2) Complaint
(3) Claims Against Owner; Injunction
(4) Notice to Claimants
(5) Claims and Answer
(6) Information To Be Given Claimants
(7) Insufficiency of Fund or Security
(8) Objections to Claims: Distribution of Fund
(9) Venue; Transfer
Rule G. Forfeiture Actions In Rem
(1) Scope
(2) Complaint
(3) Judicial Authorization and Process
(a) Real Property
(b) Other Property; Arrest Warrant
(c) Execution of Process
(4) Notice
(a) Notice by Publication
(b) Notice to Known Potential Claimants
(5) Responsive Pleadings
(a) Filing a Claim
(b) Answer
(6) Special Interrogatories
(a) Time and Scope
(b) Answers or Objections
(c) Government’s Response Deferred
(7) Preserving, Preventing Criminal Use, and Disposing of Property; Sales
(a) Preserving and Preventing Criminal Use of Property
(b) Interlocutory Sale or Delivery
(c) Disposing of Forfeited Property
(8) Motions
(a) Motion To Suppress Use of the Property as Evidence
(b) Motion To Dismiss the Action
(c) Motion To Strike a Claim or Answer
(d) Petition To Release Property
(e) Excessive Fines
(9) Trial

129
Admiralty Rule A
Rule A. Scope of Rules
(1) These Supplemental Rules apply to:
(A) the procedure in admiralty and maritime claims within the meaning of Rule 9(h)
with respect to the following remedies:
(i) maritime attachment and garnishment,
(ii) actions in rem,
(iii) possessory, petitory, and partition actions, and
(iv) actions for exoneration from or limitation of liability;
(B) forfeiture actions in rem arising from a federal statute; and
(C) the procedure in statutory condemnation proceedings analogous to maritime actions
in rem, whether within the admiralty and maritime jurisdiction or not. Except as otherwise
provided, references in these Supplemental Rules to actions in rem include such analogous
statutory condemnation proceedings.
(2) The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure also apply to the foregoing proceedings except to
the extent that they are inconsistent with these Supplemental Rules.
(As added Feb. 28, 1966, eff. July 1, 1966; Apr. 12, 2006, eff. Dec. 1, 2006.)

Rule B. In Personam Actions: Attachment and Garnishment

(1) When Available, Complaint, Affidavit, Judicial Authorization, and Process.
In an in personam action:
(a) If a defendant is not found within the district when a verified complaint praying
for attachment and the affidavit required by Rule B(1)(b) are filed, a verified complaint
may contain a prayer for process to attach the defendant’s tangible or intangible personal
property—up to the amount sued for—in the hands of garnishees named in the process.
(b) The plaintiff or the plaintiff’s attorney must sign and file with the complaint an af-
fidavit stating that, to the affiant’s knowledge, or on information and belief, the defendant
cannot be found within the district. The court must review the complaint and affidavit and,
if the conditions of this Rule B appear to exist, enter an order so stating and authorizing
process of attachment and garnishment. The clerk may issue supplemental process enforc-
ing the court’s order upon application without further court order.
(c) If the plaintiff or the plaintiff’s attorney certifies that exigent circumstances make
court review impracticable, the clerk must issue the summons and process of attachment
and garnishment. The plaintiff has the burden in any post-attachment hearing under Rule
E(4)(f) to show that exigent circumstances existed.
(d)(i) If the property is a vessel or tangible property on board a vessel, the summons, pro-
cess, and any supplemental process must be delivered to the marshal for service.
(ii) If the property is other tangible or intangible property, the summons, process,
and any supplemental process must be delivered to a person or organization authorized to
serve it, who may be (A) a marshal; (B) someone under contract with the United States;
(C) someone specially appointed by the court for that purpose; or, (D) in an action brought
by the United States, any officer or employee of the United States.
(e) The plaintiff may invoke state-law remedies under Rule 64 for seizure of person or
property for the purpose of securing satisfaction of the judgment.
(2) Notice to Defendant. No default judgment may be entered except upon proof—which
may be by affidavit—that:
(a) the complaint, summons, and process of attachment or garnishment have been served
on the defendant in a manner authorized by Rule 4;

130
 Admiralty Rule B
(b) the plaintiff or the garnishee has mailed to the defendant the complaint, summons, and
process of attachment or garnishment, using any form of mail requiring a return receipt; or
(c) the plaintiff or the garnishee has tried diligently to give notice of the action to the
defendant but could not do so.
(3) Answer.
(a) By Garnishee. The garnishee shall serve an answer, together with answers to any
interrogatories served with the complaint, within 21 days after service of process upon the
garnishee. Interrogatories to the garnishee may be served with the complaint without leave
of court. If the garnishee refuses or neglects to answer on oath as to the debts, credits, or
effects of the defendant in the garnishee’s hands, or any interrogatories concerning such
debts, credits, and effects that may be propounded by the plaintiff, the court may award
compulsory process against the garnishee. If the garnishee admits any debts, credits, or ef-
fects, they shall be held in the garnishee’s hands or paid into the registry of the court, and
shall be held in either case subject to the further order of the court.
(b) By Defendant. The defendant shall serve an answer within 30 days after process has
been executed, whether by attachment of property or service on the garnishee.
(As added Feb. 28, 1966; eff. July 1, 1966; amended Apr. 29, 1985, eff. Aug. 1, 1985; Mar. 2, 1987, eff. Aug. 1, 1987; Apr.
17, 2000, eff. Dec. 1, 2000; Apr. 25, 2005, eff. Dec. 1, 2005; Mar. 26, 2009, eff. Dec. 1, 2009.)

Rule C. In Rem Actions: Special Provisions

(1) When Available. An action in rem may be brought:
(a) To enforce any maritime lien;
(b) Whenever a statute of the United States provides for a maritime action in rem or a
proceeding analogous thereto.
Except as otherwise provided by law a party who may proceed in rem may also, or in the
alternative, proceed in personam against any person who may be liable.
Statutory provisions exempting vessels or other property owned or possessed by or oper-
ated by or for the United States from arrest or seizure are not affected by this rule. When
a statute so provides, an action against the United States or an instrumentality thereof may
proceed on in rem principles.
(2) Complaint. In an action in rem the complaint must:
(a) be verified;
(b) describe with reasonable particularity the property that is the subject of the action; and
(c) state that the property is within the district or will be within the district while the
action is pending.
(3) Judicial Authorization and Process.
(a) Arrest Warrant.
(i)The court must review the complaint and any supporting papers. If the conditions
for an in rem action appear to exist, the court must issue an order directing the clerk to is-
sue a warrant for the arrest of the vessel or other property that is the subject of the action.
(ii) If the plaintiff or the plaintiff’s attorney certifies that exigent circumstances make
court review impracticable, the clerk must promptly issue a summons and a warrant for the ar-
rest of the vessel or other property that is the subject of the action. The plaintiff has the burden
in any post-arrest hearing under Rule E(4)(f) to show that exigent circumstances existed.
(b) Service.
(i) If the property that is the subject of the action is a vessel or tangible property on
board a vessel, the warrant and any supplemental process must be delivered to the marshal
for service.
131
Admiralty Rule G
(b) Motion To Dismiss the Action.
(i) A claimant who establishes standing to contest forfeiture may move to dismiss the
action under Rule 12(b).
(ii) In an action governed by 18 U.S.C. § 983(a)(3)(D) the complaint may not be
dismissed on the ground that the government did not have adequate evidence at the time
the complaint was filed to establish the forfeitability of the property. The sufficiency of the
complaint is governed by Rule G(2).
(c) Motion To Strike a Claim or Answer.
(i) At any time before trial, the government may move to strike a claim or answer:
(A) for failing to comply with Rule G(5) or (6), or
(B) because the claimant lacks standing.
(ii) The motion:
(A) must be decided before any motion by the claimant to dismiss the action;
and
(B) may be presented as a motion for judgment on the pleadings or as a motion
to determine after a hearing or by summary judgment whether the claimant can carry the
burden of establishing standing by a preponderance of the evidence.
(d) Petition To Release Property.
(i) If a United States agency or an agency’s contractor holds property for judicial or
nonjudicial forfeiture under a statute governed by 18 U.S.C. § 983(f), a person who has
filed a claim to the property may petition for its release under § 983(f).
(ii) If a petition for release is filed before a judicial forfeiture action is filed against
the property, the petition may be filed either in the district where the property was seized
or in the district where a warrant to seize the property issued. If a judicial forfeiture action
against the property is later filed in another district—or if the government shows that the
action will be filed in another district—the petition may be transferred to that district under
28 U.S.C. § 1404.
(e) Excessive Fines. A claimant may seek to mitigate a forfeiture under the Excessive
Fines Clause of the Eighth Amendment by motion for summary judgment or by motion
made after entry of a forfeiture judgment if:
(i) the claimant has pleaded the defense under Rule 8; and
(ii) the parties have had the opportunity to conduct civil discovery on the defense.
(9) Trial. Trial is to the court unless any party demands trial by jury under Rule 38.
(Added Apr. 12, 2006, eff. Dec. 1, 2006; amended Mar. 26, 2009, eff. Dec. 1, 2009.)

142
 FRE Table
FEDERAL RULES OF EVIDENCE
[Effective July 1, 1975, as amended to December 1, 2009]

Table of Articles

I. General Provisions.
II. Judicial Notice.
III. Presumptions in Civil Actions and Proceedings.
IV. Relevancy and Its Limits.
V. Privileges.
VI. Witnesses.
VII. Opinions and Expert Testimony.
VIII. Hearsay.
IX.  Authentication and Identification.
X. Contents of Writings, Recordings, and Photographs.
XI. Miscellaneous Rules.

Table of Rules
Article I. General Provisions:
101. Scope.
102. Purpose and Construction.
103. Rulings on Evidence:
(a) Effect of erroneous ruling:
(1) Objection.
(2) Offer of Proof.
(b) Record of offer and ruling.
(c) Hearing of jury.
(d) Plain error.
104. Preliminary Questions:
(a) Questions of admissibility generally.
(b) Relevancy conditioned on fact.
(c) Hearing of jury.
(d) Testimony by accused.
(e) Weight and credibility.
105. Limited Admissibility.
106. Remainder of or Related Writings or Recorded Statements.

  Article II. Judicial Notice:

201. Judicial Notice of Adjudicative Facts:
(a) Scope of rule.
(b) Kinds of facts.
(c) When discretionary.
(d) When mandatory.
(e) Opportunity to be heard.
(f) Time of taking notice.
(g) Instructing jury.

  Article III. Presumptions in Civil Actions and Proceedings:

301. Presumptions in General in Civil Actions and Proceedings.
302. Applicability of State Law in Civil Actions and Proceedings.
143
FRE Table
  Article IV. Relevancy and Its Limits:
401. Definition of “Relevant Evidence”.
402. Relevant Evidence Generally Admissible; Irrelevant Evidence Inadmissible.
403. Exclusion of Relevant Evidence on Grounds of Prejudice, Confusion, or Waste of Time.
404. Character Evidence Not Admissible to Prove Conduct; Exceptions; Other Crimes:
(a) Character evidence generally:
(1) Character of accused.
(2) Character of alleged victim.
(3) Character of witness.
(b) Other crimes, wrongs, or acts.
405. Methods of Proving Character:
(a) Reputation or opinion.
(b) Specific instances of conduct.
406. Habit; Routine Practice.
407. Subsequent Remedial Measures.
408. Compromise and Offers to Compromise.
409. Payment of Medical and Similar Expenses.
410. Inadmissibility of Pleas, Plea Discussions, and Related Statements.
411. Liability Insurance.
412. Sex Offense Cases; Relevance of Alleged Victim’s Past Sexual Behavior or Alleged
Sexual Predisposition:
(a) Evidence generally inadmissible.
(b) Exceptions.
(c) Procedure to determine admissibility.
413. Evidence of Similar Crimes in Sexual Assault Cases.
414. Evidence of Similar Crimes in Child Molestation Cases.
415. Evidence of Similar Acts in Civil Cases Concerning Sexual Assault or Child Molestation.

  Article V. Privileges:
501. General Rule.
502. Attorney-Client Privilege and Work-Product Doctrine; Limitations on Waiver.
(a) Disclosure Made in a Federal Proceeding or to a Federal Office or Agency; Scope
of a Waiver.
(b) Inadvertent Disclosure.
(c) Disclosure Made in a State Proceeding.
(d) Controlling Effect of a Court Order.
(e) Controlling Effect of a Party Agreement.
(f) Controlling Effect of This Rule.
(g) Definitions.

  Article VI. Witnesses:

601. General Rule of Competency.
602. Lack of Personal Knowledge.
603. Oath or Affirmation.
604. Interpreters.
605. Competency of Judge as Witness.
606. Competency of Juror as Witness:
(a) At the trial.
(b) Inquiry into validity of verdict or indictment.
607. Who May Impeach.
608. Evidence of Character and Conduct of Witness:
144
 FRE Table
(a) Opinion and reputation evidence of character.
(b) Specific instances of conduct.
609. Impeachment by Evidence of Conviction of Crime:
(a) General rule.
(b) Time limit.
(c) Effect of pardon, annulment, or certificate of rehabilitation.
(d) Juvenile adjudications.
(e) Pendency of appeal.
610. Religious Beliefs or Opinions.
611. Mode and Order of Interrogation and Presentation:
(a) Control by court.
(b) Scope of cross-examination.
(c) Leading questions.
612. Writing Used to Refresh Memory.
613. Prior Statements of Witnesses:
(a) Examining witness concerning prior statement.
(b) Extrinsic evidence of prior inconsistent statement of witness.
614. Calling and Interrogation of Witnesses by Court:
(a) Calling by court.
(b) Interrogation by court.
(c) Objections.
615. Exclusion of Witnesses.

  Article VII. Opinions and Expert Testimony:

701. Opinion Testimony by Lay Witnesses.
702. Testimony by Experts.
703. Bases of Opinion Testimony by Experts.
704. Opinion on Ultimate Issue.
705. Disclosure of Facts or Data Underlying Expert Opinion.
706. Court Appointed Experts:
(a) Appointment.
(b) Compensation.
(c) Disclosure of appointment.
(d) Parties’ experts of own selection.

  Article VIII. Hearsay:

801. Definitions:
(a) Statement.
(b) Declarant.
(c) Hearsay.
(d) Statements which are not hearsay:
(1) Prior statement by witness.
(2) Admission by party-opponent.
802. Hearsay Rule.
803. Hearsay Exceptions; Availability of Declarant Immaterial:
(1) Present sense impression.
(2) Excited utterance.
(3) Then existing mental, emotional, or physical condition.
(4) Statements for purposes of medical diagnosis or treatment.
(5) Recorded recollection.
(6) Records of regularly conducted activity.

145
FRE Table
(7) Absence of entry in records kept in accordance with the provisions of para (6).
(8) Public records and reports.
(9) Records of vital statistics.
(10) Absence of public record or entry.
(11) Records of religious organizations.
(12) Marriage, baptismal, and similar certificates.
(13) Family records.
(14) Records of documents affecting an interest in property.
(15) Statements in documents affecting an interest in property.
(16) Statements in ancient documents.
(17) Market reports, commercial publications.
(18) Learned treatises.
(19) Reputation concerning personal or family history.
(20) Reputation concerning boundaries or general history.
(21) Reputation as to character.
(22) Judgment of previous conviction.
(23) Judgment as to personal, family, or general history, or boundaries.
804. Hearsay Exceptions; Declarant Unavailable:
(a) Definition of unavailability.
(b) Hearsay exceptions:
(1) Former testimony.
(2) Statement under belief of impending death.
(3) Statement against interest.
(4) Statement of personal or family history.
(5) [Transferred to Rule 87.]
(6) Forfeiture by wrongdoing.
805. Hearsay Within Hearsay.
806. Attacking and Supporting Credibility of Declarant.
807. Residual Exception.

  Article IX. Authentication and Identification:

901. Requirement of Authentication or Identification:
(a) General provision.
(b) Illustrations:
(1) Testimony of witness with knowledge.
(2) Nonexpert opinion on handwriting.
(3) Comparison by trier or expert witness.
(4) Distinctive characteristics and the like.
(5) Voice identification.
(6) Telephone conversations.
(7) Public records or reports.
(8) Ancient documents or data compilation.
(9) Process or system.
(10) Methods provided by statute or rule.
902. Self-authentication:
(1) Domestic public documents under seal.
(2) Domestic public documents not under seal.
(3) Foreign public documents.
(4) Certified copies of public records.
(5) Official publications.
(6) Newspapers and periodicals.
(7) Trade inscriptions and the like.

146
 FRE Table
(8) Acknowledged documents.
(9) Commercial paper and related documents.
(10) Presumptions under Acts of Congress.
(11) Certified domestic records of regularly conducted activity.
(12) Certified foreign records of regularly conducted activity.
903. Subscribing Witness’ Testimony Unnecessary.

  Article X. Contents of Writings, Recordings, and Photographs:

1001. Definitions:
(1) Writings and recordings.
(2) Photographs.
(3) Original.
(4) Duplicate.
1002. Requirement of Original.
1003. Admissibility of Duplicates.
1004. Admissibility of Other Evidence of Contents:
(1) Originals lost or destroyed.
(2) Original not obtainable.
(3) Original in possession of opponent.
(4) Collateral matters.
1005. Public Records.
1006. Summaries.
1007. Testimony or Written Admission of Party.
1008. Functions of Court and Jury.

  Article XI. Miscellaneous Rules:

1101. Applicability of Rules:
(a) Courts and Judges.
(b) Proceedings generally.
(c) Rule of privilege.
(d) Rules inapplicable:
(1) Preliminary questions of fact.
(2) Grand jury.
(3) Miscellaneous proceedings.
(e) Rules applicable in part.
1102. Amendments.
1103. Title.

147
FRE 101
Article I. General Provisions
Rule 101. Scope
These rules govern proceedings in the courts of the United States and before the United
States Bankruptcy judges and United States magistrate judges, to the extent and with the
exceptions stated in rule 1101.
(As amended Mar. 2, 1987, eff. Oct. 1, 1987; Apr. 25, 1988, eff. Nov. 1, 1988; Apr. 22, 1993, eff. Dec. 1, 1993.)

Rule 102. Purpose and Construction

These rules shall be construed to secure fairness in administration, elimination of unjustifi-
able expense and delay, and promotion of growth and development of the law of evidence to
the end that the truth may be ascertained and proceedings justly determined.
Rule 103. Rulings on Evidence
(a) Effect of erroneous ruling. Error may not be predicated upon a ruling which admits or
excludes evidence unless a substantial right of the party is affected, and
(1) Objection. In case the ruling is one admitting evidence, a timely objection or motion
to strike appears of record, stating the specific ground of objection, if the specific ground
was not apparent from the context; or
(2) Offer of proof.—In case the ruling is one excluding evidence, the substance of the
evidence was made known to the court by offer or was apparent from the context within
which questions were asked.
Once the court makes a definitive ruling on the record admitting or excluding evidence,
either at or before trial, a party need not renew an objection or offer of proof to preserve a
claim of error for appeal.
(b) Record of offer and ruling. The court may add any other or further statement which
shows the character of the evidence, the form in which it was offered, the objection made,
and the ruling thereon. It may direct the making of an offer in question and answer form.
(c) Hearing of jury. In jury cases, proceedings shall be conducted, to the extent prac-
ticable, so as to prevent inadmissible evidence from being suggested to the jury by any
means, such as making statements or offers of proof or asking questions in the hearing of
the jury.
(d) Plain error. Nothing in this rule precludes taking notice of plain errors affecting sub-
stantial rights although they were not brought to the attention of the court.
(As amended Apr. 17, 2000, eff. Dec. 1, 2000.)

Rule 104. Preliminary Questions

(a) Questions of admissibility generally. Preliminary questions  concerning the qualifica-
tion of a person to be a witness, the existence of a privilege, or the admissibility of evidence
shall be determined by the court, subject to the provisions of subdivision (b). In making its
deter­mination it is not bound by the rules of evidence except those with respect to privi-
leges.
(b) Relevancy conditioned on fact. When the relevancy of evidence depends upon the
fulfillment of a condition of fact, the court shall admit it upon, or subject to, the introduction
of evidence sufficient to support a finding of the fulfillment of the condition.
(c) Hearing of jury. Hearings on the admissibility of confessions shall in all cases be
conducted out of the hearing of the jury. Hearings on other preliminary matters shall be
so conducted when the interests of justice require, or when an accused is a witness and so
requests.

148
 FRE 104
(d) Testimony by accused. The accused does not, by testifying upon a preliminary matter,
become subject to cross-examination as to other issues in the case.
(e) Weight and credibility. This rule does not limit the right of a party to introduce before
the jury evidence relevant to weight or credibility.
(As amended Mar. 2, 1987, eff. Oct. 1, 1987.)

Rule 105. Limited Admissibility

When evidence which is admissible as to one party or for one purpose but not admissible
as to another party or for another purpose is admitted, the court, upon request, shall restrict
the evidence to its proper scope and instruct the jury accordingly.
Rule 106. Remainder of or Related Writings or Recorded Statements
When a writing or recorded statement or part thereof is introduced by a party, an adverse
party may require the introduction at that time of any other part or any other writing or re-
corded statement which ought in fairness to be considered contemporaneously with it.
(As amended Mar. 2, 1987, eff. Oct. 1, 1987.)

Article II. Judicial Notice

Rule 201. Judicial Notice of Adjudicative Facts
(a) Scope of rule. This rule governs only judicial notice of adjudi­cative facts.
(b) Kinds of facts. A judicially noticed fact must be one not subject to reasonable dispute
in that it is either (1) generally known within the terri­torial jurisdiction of the trial court or
(2) capable of accurate and ready determination by resort to sources whose accuracy cannot
reason­ably be questioned.
(c) When discretionary. A court may take judicial notice, whether requested or not.
(d) When mandatory. A court shall take judicial notice if requested by a party and sup-
plied with the necessary information.
(e) Opportunity to be heard. A party is entitled upon timely request to an opportunity to
be heard as to the propriety of taking judicial notice and the tenor of the matter noticed. In the
absence of prior notification, the request may be made after judicial notice has been taken.
(f) Time of taking notice. Judicial notice may be taken at any stage of the proceeding.
(g) Instructing jury. In a civil action or proceeding, the court shall instruct the jury to ac-
cept as conclusive any fact judicially noticed. In a criminal case, the court shall instruct the
jury that it may, but is not required to, accept as conclusive any fact judicially noticed.
Article III. Presumptions in Civil Actions
and Proceedings
Rule 301. Presumptions in General in Civil Actions and Proceedings
In all civil actions and proceedings not otherwise provided for by Act of Congress or by
these rules, a presumption imposes on the party against whom it is directed the burden of go-
ing forward with evidence to rebut or meet the presumption, but does not shift to such party
the burden of proof in the sense of the risk of nonpersuasion, which remains throughout the
trial upon the party on whom it was originally cast.
Rule 302. Applicability of State Law in Civil Actions and Proceedings
In civil actions and proceedings, the effect of a presumption respecting a fact which is an
element of a claim or defense as to which State law supplies the rule of decisions determined
in accordance with State law.

149
FRE 401
Article IV. Relevancy and Its Limits
Rule 401. Definition of “Relevant Evidence”
“Relevant evidence” means evidence having any tendency to make the existence of any
fact that is of consequence to the determination of the action more probable or less probable
than it would be without the evidence.
Rule 402. Relevant Evidence Generally Admissible; Irrelevant Evi-
dence Inadmissible
All relevant evidence is admissible, except as otherwise provided by the Constitution of
the United States, by Act of Congress, by these rules, or by other rules prescribed by the
Supreme Court pursuant to statutory authority. Evidence which is not relevant is not admis-
sible.
Rule 403. Exclusion of Relevant Evidence on Grounds of Prejudice,
Confusion, or Waste of Time
Although relevant, evidence may be excluded if its probative value is substantially out-
weighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of the issues, or misleading the jury,
or by considerations of undue delay, waste of time, or needless presentation of cumulative
evidence.
Rule 404. Character Evidence not Admissible to Prove Conduct;
Exceptions; Other Crimes
(a) Character evidence generally.—Evidence of a person’s character or a trait of charac-
ter is not admissible for the purpose of proving action in conformity therewith on a particular
occasion, except:
(1) Character of accused.—In a criminal case, evidence of a pertinent trait of character
offered by an accused, or by the prosecution to rebut the same, or if evidence of a trait of
character of the alleged victim of the crime is offered by an accused and admitted under
Rule 404(a)(2), evidence of the same trait of character of the accused offered by the pros-
ecution;
(2) Character of alleged victim.—In a criminal case, and subject to the limita-
tions imposed by Rule 412, evidence of a pertinent trait of character of the alleged
victim of the crime offered by an accused, or by the prosecution to rebut the same,
or evidence of a character trait of peacefulness of the alleged victim offered by the
prosecution in a homicide case to rebut evidence that the alleged victim was the first
aggressor;
(3) Character of witness.—Evidence of the character of a witness, as provided in rules
607, 608, and 609.
(b) Other crimes, wrongs, or acts. Evidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts is not
admissible to prove the character of a person in order to show action in conformity there-
with. It may, however, be admissible for other purposes, such as proof of motive, op-
portunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, or absence of mistake or acci-
dent, provided that upon request by the accused, the prosecution in a criminal case shall
provide reasonable notice in advance of trial, or during trial if the court excuses pretrial
notice on good cause shown, of the general nature of any such evidence it intends to
introduce at trial.
(As amended Mar. 2, 1987, eff. Oct. 1, 1987; Apr. 30, 1991, eff. Dec. 1, 1991; Apr. 17, 2000, eff. Dec. 1, 2000; Apr. 12,
2006, eff. Dec. 1, 2006.)

150
 FRE 405
Rule 405. Methods of Proving Character
(a) Reputation or opinion. In all cases in which evidence of character or a trait of char-
acter of a person is admissible, proof may be made by testimony as to reputation or by tes-
timony in the form of an opinion. On cross-examination, inquiry is allowable into relevant
specific instances of conduct.
(b) Specific instances of conduct. In cases in which character or a trait of character of
a person is an essential element of a charge, claim, or defense, proof may also be made of
specific instances of that person’s conduct.
(As amended Mar. 2, 1987, eff. Oct. 1, 1987.)

Rule 406. Habit; Routine Practice

Evidence of the habit of a person or of the routine practice of an organization, whether
corroborated or not and regardless of the presence of eye­witnesses, is relevant to prove that
the conduct of the person or organization on a particular occasion was in conformity with
the habit or routine practice.
Rule 407. Subsequent Remedial Measures
When, after an injury or harm allegedly caused by an event, measures are taken that, if
taken previously, would have made the injury or harm less likely to occur, evidence of the
subsequent measures is not admissible to prove negligence, culpable conduct, a defect in
a product, a defect in a product’s design, or a need for a warning or instruction. This rule
does not require the exclusion of evidence of subsequent measures when offered for another
purpose, such as proving ownership, control, or feasibility of precautionary measures, if
controverted, or impeachment.
(As amended Apr. 11, 1997, eff. Dec. 1, 1997.)

Rule 408. Compromise and Offers to Compromise

(a) Prohibited uses.—Evidence of the following is not admissible on behalf of any party,
when offered to prove liability for, invalidity of, or amount of a claim that was disputed as to
validity or amount, or to impeach through a prior inconsistent statement or contradiction:
(1) Furnishing or offering or promising to furnish or accepting or offering or promising to
accept a valuable consideration in compromising or attempting to compromise the claim; and
(2) Conduct or statements made in compromise negotiations regarding the claim, except
when offered in a criminal case and the negotiations related to a claim by a public office or
agency in the exercise of regulatory, investigative, or enforcement authority.
(b) Permitted Uses.—This rule does not require exclusion if the evidence is offered for
purposes not prohibited by subdivision (a). Examples of permissible purposes include prov-
ing a witness’s bias or prejudice; negating a contention of undue delay; and proving an effort
to obstruct a criminal investigation or prosecution.
(As amended Apr. 12, 2006, eff. Dec. 1, 2006.)

Rule 409. Payment of Medical and Similar Expenses

Evidence of furnishing or offering or promising to pay medical, hospital, or similar ex-
penses occasioned by an injury is not admissible to prove liability for the injury.
Rule 410. Inadmissibility of Pleas, Plea Discussions, and Related
Statements
Except as otherwise provided in this rule, evidence of the following is not, in any civil or
criminal proceeding, admissible against the defendant who made the plea or was a partici-
pant in the plea discussions:
151
FRE 410
(1) a plea of guilty which was later withdrawn;
(2) a plea of nolo contendere;
(3) any statement made in the course of any proceedings under Rule 11 of the Federal
Rules of Criminal Procedure or comparable state pro­cedure regarding either of the forego-
ing pleas; or
(4) any statement made in the course of plea discussions with an attorney for the pros-
ecuting authority which do not result in a plea of guilty or which result in a plea of guilty
later withdrawn.
However, such a statement is admissible (i) in any proceeding wherein another statement
made in the course of the same plea or plea discussions has been intro­duced and the state-
ment ought in fairness be considered contemporaneously with it, or (ii) in a criminal pro-
ceeding for perjury or false statement if the statement was made by the defendant under oath,
on the record and in the presence of counsel.
(As amended Dec. 12, 1975; Apr. 30, 1979, eff. Dec. 1, 1980.)

Rule 411. Liability Insurance

Evidence that a person was or was not insured against liability is not admissible upon
the issue whether the person acted negligently or other­wise wrongfully. This rule does not
require the exclusion of evidence of insur­ance against liability when offered for another pur-
pose, such as proof of agency, ownership, or control, or bias or prejudice of a witness.
(As amended Mar. 2, 1987, eff. Oct. 1, 1987.)

Rule 412. Sex Offense Cases; Relevance of Alleged Victim’s Past

Sexual Behavior or Alleged Sexual Predisposition
(a) Evidence generally inadmissible. The following evidence is not admissible in any
civil or criminal proceeding involving alleged sexual misconduct except as provided in sub-
divisions (b) and (c):
(1) Evidence offered to prove that any alleged victim engaged in other sexual behavior.
(2) Evidence offered to prove any alleged victim’s sexual predis­position.
(b) Exceptions.
(1) In a criminal case, the following evidence is admissible, if other­wise admissible
under these rules:
(A) evidence of specific instances of sexual behavior by the alleged victim offered to
prove that a person other than the accused was the source of semen, injury or other physi-
cal evidence
(B) evidence of specific instances of sexual behavior by the alleged victim with re-
spect to the person accused of the sexual misconduct offered by the accused to prove
consent or by the prosecution; and
(C) evidence the exclusion of which would violate the constitu­tional rights of the
defendant.
(2) In a civil case, evidence offered to prove the sexual behavior or sexual predisposi-
tion of any alleged victim is admissible if it is other­wise admissible under these rules and
its probative value substan­tially outweighs the danger of harm to any victim and of unfair
prejudice to any party. Evidence of an alleged victim’s reputation is admissible only if it
has been placed in controversy by the alleged victim.
(c) Procedure to determine admissibility.
(1) A party intending to offer evidence under subdivision (b) must:
(A) file a written motion at least 14 days before trial specifically describing the evi-

152
 FRE 412
dence and stating the purpose for which it is offered unless the court, for good cause
requires a different time for filing or permits filing during trial; and
(B) serve the motion on all parties and notify the alleged victim or, when appropriate,
the alleged victim’s guardian or representative.
(2) Before admitting evidence under this rule the court must con­duct a hearing in camera
and afford the victim and parties a right to attend and be heard. The motion, related papers,
and the record of the hearing must be sealed and remain under seal unless the court orders
otherwise.
(As added Oct. 28, 1978, eff. Nov. 28, 1978; amended Nov. 18, 1988; Apr. 29, 1994, eff. Dec. 1, 1994; Sept. 13, 1994, eff.
Dec. 1, 1994.)

Rule 413. Evidence of Similar Crimes in Sexual Assault Cases

(a) In a criminal case in which the defendant is accused of an offense of sexual assault,
evidence of the defendant’s commission of another offense or offenses of sexual assault is
admissible, and may be considered for its bearing on any matter to which it is relevant.
(b) In a case in which the Government intends to offer evidence under this rule, the at-
torney for the Government shall disclose the evidence to the defendant, including statements
of witnesses or a summary of the substance of any testimony that is expected to be offered,
at least fifteen days before the scheduled date of trial or at such later time as the court may
allow for good cause.
(c) This rule shall not be construed to limit the admission or considera­tion of evidence
under any other rule.
(d) For purposes of this rule and Rule 415, “offense of sexual assault” means a crime under
Federal law or the law of a State (as defined in section 513 of title 18, United States Code)
that involved—
(1) any conduct proscribed by chapter 109A of title 18, United States Code:
(2) contact, without consent, between any part of the defendant’s body or an object and
the genitals or anus of another person;
(3) contact, without consent, between the genitals or anus of the defendant and any part
of another person’s body;
(4) deriving sexual pleasure or gratification from the infliction of death, bodily injury, or
physical pain on another person; or
(5) an attempt or conspiracy to engage in conduct described in paragraph (1)-(4).
(Added Sept. 13, 1994, eff. July 9, 1995.)

Rule 414. Evidence of Similar Crimes in Child Molestation Cases

(a) In a criminal case in which the defendant is accused of an offense of child molestation,
evidence of the defendant’s commission of another offense or offenses of child molestation
is admissible, and may be con­sidered for its bearing on any matter to which it is relevant.
(b) In a case in which the Government intends to offer evidence under this rule, the at-
torney for the Government shall disclose the evidence to the defendant, including statements
of witnesses or a summary of the substance of any testimony that is expected to be offered,
at least fifteen days before the scheduled date of trial or at such later time as the court may
allow for good cause.
(c) This rule shall not be construed to limit the admission or consideration of evidence
under any other rule.
(d) For purposes of this rule and Rule 415, “child” means a person below the age of four-
teen, and “offense of child molestation” means a crime under Federal law or the law of a
State (as defined in section 513 of title 18, United States Code) that involved—
153
FRE 414
(1) any conduct proscribed by chapter 109A of title 18, United States Code, that was
committed in relation to a child;
(2) any conduct proscribed by chapter 110 of title 18, United States Code;
(3) contact between any part of the defendant’s body or an object and the genitals or
anus of a child;
(4) contact between the genitals or anus of the defendant and any part of the body of a
child;
(5) deriving sexual pleasure or gratification from the infliction of death, bodily injury,
or physical pain on a child; or
(6) an attempt or conspiracy to engage in conduct described in para­graphs (1)-(5).
(Added Sept. 13, 1994, eff. July 9, 1995.)

Rule 415. Evidence of Similar Acts in Civil Cases Concerning Sexual

Assault or Child Molestation
(a) In a civil case in which a claim for damages or other relief is predi­cated on a party’s
alleged commission of conduct constituting an offense of sexual assault or child molestation,
evidence of that party’s commission of another offense or offenses of sexual assault or child
molestation is admissi­ble and may be considered as provided in Rule 413 and Rule 414 of
these rules.
(b) A party who intends to offer evidence under this Rule shall disclose the evidence to
the party against whom it will be offered, including state­ments of witnesses or a summary of
the substance of any testimony that is expected to be offered, at least fifteen days before the
scheduled date of trial or at such later time as the court may allow for good cause.
(c) This rule shall not be construed to limit the admission or considera­tion of evidence
under any other rule.
(Added Sept. 13, 1994, eff. July 9, 1995.)

Article V. Privileges
Rule 501. General Rule
Except as otherwise required by the Constitution of the United States or provided by Act
of Congress or in rules prescribed by the Supreme Court pursuant to statutory authority, the
privilege of a witness, person, govern­ment, State, or political subdivision thereof shall be
governed by the principles of the common law as they may be interpreted by the courts of the
United States in the light of reason and experience. However, in civil actions and proceed-
ings, with respect to an element of a claim or defense as to which State law supplies the rule
of decision, the privilege of a witness, person, government, State, or political subdivision
thereof shall be determined in accordance with State law.
Rule 502. Attorney-Client Privilege and Work Product; Limitations
on Waiver
The following provisions apply, in the circumstances set out, to disclosure of a communi-
cation or information covered by the attorney-client privilege or work-product protection.
(a) Disclosure Made in a Federal Proceeding or to a Federal Office or Agency; Scope
of a Waiver—When the disclosure is made in a Federal proceeding or to a Federal office
or agency and waives the attorney-client privilege or work-product protection, the waiver
extends to an undisclosed communication or information in a Federal or State proceeding
only if:
(1) the waiver is intentional;

154
 FRE 502
(2) the disclosed and undisclosed communications or information concern the same
subject matter; and
(3) they ought in fairness to be considered together.
(b) Inadvertent Disclosure—When made in a Federal proceeding or to a Federal office
or agency, the disclosure does not operate as a waiver in a Federal or State proceeding if:
(1) the disclosure is inadvertent;
(2) the holder of the privilege or protection took reasonable steps to prevent disclosure; and
(3) the holder promptly took reasonable steps to rectify the error, including (if appli-
cable) following Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(b)(5)(B).
(c) Disclosure Made in a State Proceeding—When the disclosure is made in a State pro-
ceeding and is not the subject of a State-court order concerning waiver, the disclosure does
not operate as a waiver in a Federal proceeding if the disclosure:
(1) would not be a waiver under this rule if it had been made in a Federal proceeding; or
(2) is not a waiver under the law of the State where the disclosure occurred.
(d) Controlling Effect of a Court Order—A Federal court may order that the privilege
or protection is not waived by disclosure connected with the litigation pending before the
court—in which event the disclosure is also not a waiver in any other Federal or State pro-
ceeding.
(e) Controlling Effect of a Party Agreement—An agreement on the effect of disclosure
in a Federal proceeding is binding only on the parties to the agreement, unless it is incorpo-
rated into a court order.
(f) Controlling Effect of This Rule—Notwithstanding Rules 101 and 1101, this rule ap-
plies to State proceedings and to Federal court-annexed and Federal court-mandated arbitra-
tion proceedings, in the circumstances set out in the rule. And notwithstanding Rule 501, this
rule applies even if State law provides the rule of decision.
(g) Definitions—In this rule:
(1) “attorney-client privilege” means the protection that applicable law provides for
confidential attorney-client communications; and
(2) “work-product protection” means the protection that applicable law provides for
tangible material (or its intangible equivalent) prepared in anticipation of litigation or for
trial.
(Enacted Sept. 19, 2008, Pub. Law 110-322, 122 Stat. 3537. The rule applies in all proceedings commenced after the
date of enactment and, insofar as is just and practicable, in all proceedings pending on such date of enactment.)

Article VI. Witnesses

Rule 601. General Rule of Competency
Every person is competent to be a witness except as otherwise provided in these rules.
However, in civil actions and proceedings, with respect to an element of a claim or defense
as to which State law supplies the rule of decision, the competency of a witness shall be
determined in accordance with State law.
Rule 602. Lack of Personal Knowledge
A witness may not testify to a matter unless evidence is introduced sufficient to support a
finding that the witness has personal knowledge of the matter. Evidence to prove personal
knowledge may, but need not, consist of the witness’ own testimony. This rule is subject to
the provisions of rule 703, relating to opinion testimony by expert witnesses.
(As amended Mar. 2, 1987, eff. Oct. 1, 1987; Apr. 25, 1988, eff. Nov. 1, 1988.)

155
FRE 1101
by prohibiting the shipment in such commerce of petroleum and its products produced in vi-
olation of State law, and for other purposes”, approved February 22, 1935 (15 U.S.C. 715d);
actions for fines, penalties, or forfeitures under part V of title IV of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19
U.S.C. 1581-1624), or under the Anti-Smuggling Act (19 U.S.C. 1701-1711); criminal libel
for condemnation, exclusion of im­ports, or other proceed­ings under the Federal Food, Drug,
and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301-392); disputes between seamen under sections 4079, 4080,
and 4081 of the Revised Statutes (22 U.S.C. 256-258); habeas corpus under sections 2241-
2254 of title 28, United States Code; motions to vacate, set aside or correct sentence under
section 2255 of title 28, United States Code; actions for penalties for refusal to transport
destitute seamen under section 4578 of the Revised Statutes (46 U.S.C. 679); actions against
the United States under the Act entitled “An Act authoriz­ing suits against the United States
in admiralty for damage caused by and salvage service rendered to public vessels belonging
to the United States, and for other purposes”, approved March 3, 1925 (46 U.S.C. 781-790),
as implemented by section 7730 of title 10, United States Code.
(As amended Dec. 12, 1975; Nov. 6, 1978, eff. Oct. 1, 1979; Apr. 2, 1982, eff. Oct. 1, 1982; Mar. 2, 1987, eff. Oct. 1, 1987;
Apr. 25, 1988, eff. Nov. 1, 1988; Nov. 18, 1988; Apr. 22, 1993, eff. Dec. 1, 1993.)

Rule 1102. Amendments

Amendments to the Federal Rules of Evidence may be made as pro­vided in section 2072
of title 28 of the United States Code.
(As amended Apr. 30, 1991, eff. Dec. 1, 1991.)

Rule 1103. Title

These rules may be known and cited as the Federal Rules of Evidence.

170
 28 USC Table
SELECTED PROVISIONS OF TITLE 28
Table of Sections
Chapter 85—DISTRICT COURTS; JURISDICTION
§ 1330. Actions against foreign states.
§ 1331. Federal question.
§ 1332. Diversity of citizenship; amount in controversy; costs
§ 1333. Admiralty, maritime and prize cases
§ 1334. Bankruptcy cases and proceedings
§ 1335. Interpleader
§ 1336. Surface Transportation Board’s orders
§ 1337. Commerce and antitrust regulations; amount in controversy, costs
§ 1338. Patents, plant variety protection, copyrights, mask works, designs, trademarks,
and unfair competition
§ 1339. Postal matters
§ 1340. Internal revenue; customs duties
§ 1341. Taxes by States
§ 1342. Rate orders of State agencies
§ 1343. Civil rights and elective franchise
§ 1344. Election disputes
§ 1345. United States as plaintiff
§ 1346. United States as defendant
§ 1347. Partition action where United States is joint tenant
§ 1348. Banking association as party
§ 1349. Corporation organized under federal law as party
§ 1350. Alien’s action for tort
§ 1351. Consuls, vice consuls, and members of a diplomatic mission as defendant
§ 1352. Bonds executed under federal law
§ 1353. Indian allotments
§ 1354. Land grants from different states
§ 1355. Fine, penalty or forfeiture
§ 1356. Seizures not within admiralty and maritime jurisdiction
§ 1357. Injuries under Federal laws
§ 1358. Eminent domain
§ 1359. Parties collusively joined or made
§ 1360. State civil jurisdiction in actions to which Indians are parties
§ 1361. Action to compel an officer of the United States to perform his duty
§ 1362. Indian tribes
§ 1363. Jurors’ employment rights
§ 1364. Direct actions against insurers of members of diplomatic missions and their families
§ 1365. Senate actions
§ 1366. Construction of references to laws of the United States or Acts of Congress
§ 1367. Supplemental jurisdiction
§ 1368. Counterclaims in unfair practices in international trade
§ 1369. Multiparty, multiforum jurisdiction
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28 USC Table
CHAPTER 87—DISTRICT COURTS; VENUE
§ 1391. Venue generally
§ 1392. Defendants or property in different districts in same State
§ 1393. (Repealed.)
§ 1394. Banking association’s action against Comptroller of Currency
§ 1395. Fine, penalty or forfeiture
§ 1396. Internal revenue taxes
§ 1397. Interpleader
§ 1398. Interstate Commerce Commission’s orders
§ 1399. Partition action involving United States
§ 1400. Patents and copyrights, mask works and designs
§ 1401. Stockholder’s derivative action
§ 1402. United States as defendant
§ 1403. Eminent domain
§ 1404. Change of venue
§ 1405. Creation or alteration of district or division
§ 1406. Cure or waiver of defects
§ 1407. Multidistrict litigation
§ 1408. Venue of cases under title 11
§ 1409. Venue of proceedings arising under title 11 or arising in or related to cases under title 11
§ 1410. Venue of cases ancillary to foreign proceedings
§ 1411. Jury trials
§ 1412. Change of venue
§ 1413. Venue of Cases under chapter 5 of title 3

CHAPTER 89—DISTRICT COURTS; REMOVAL OF CASES

FROM STATE COURTS
§ 1441. Actions removable generally
§ 1442. Federal officers or agencies sued or prosecuted
§ 1443. Civil rights cases
§ 1444. Foreclosure action against United States
§ 1445. Nonremovable actions
§ 1446. Procedure for removal
§ 1447. Procedure after removal generally
§ 1448. Process after removal
§ 1449. State court record supplied
§ 1450. Attachment or sequestration; securities
§ 1451. Definitions
§ 1452. Removal of claims related to bankruptcy cases
§ 1453. Removal of class actions
CHAPTER 111—GENERAL PROVISIONS
§ 1652. State laws as rules of decision
CHAPTER 131—RULES OF COURTS
§ 2072. Rules of procedure and evidence; power to prescribe
§ 2073. Rules of procedure and evidence; method of prescribing
§ 2074. Rules of procedure and evidence; submission to Congress; effective date

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 28 USC § 1330
CHAPTER 85—DISTRICT COURTS; JURISDICTION
§ 1330. Actions against foreign states
(a) The district courts shall have original jurisdiction without regard to amount in con-
troversy of any nonjury civil action against a foreign state as defined in section 1603(a) of
this title as to any claim for relief in personam with respect to which the foreign state is not
entitled to immunity either under sections 1605-1607 of this title or under any applicable
international agreement.
(b) Personal jurisdiction over a foreign state shall exist as to every claim for relief over
which the district courts have jurisdiction under subsection (a) where service has been made
under section 1608 of this title.
(c) For purposes of subsection (b), an appearance by a foreign state does not confer per-
sonal jurisdiction with respect to any claim for relief not arising out of any transaction or
occurrence enumerated in sections 1605-1607 of this title.
(Added Pub. L. 94-583, Sec. 2(a), Oct. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 2891.)

§ 1331. Federal question

The district courts shall have original jurisdiction of all civil actions arising under the
Constitution, laws, or treaties of the United States.
(June 25, 1948, ch. 646, 62 Stat. 930; Pub. L. 85-554, Sec. 1, July 25, 1958, 72 Stat. 415; Pub. L. 94-574, Sec. 2, Oct. 21,
1976, 90 Stat. 2721; Pub. L. 96-486, Sec. 2(a), Dec. 1, 1980, 94 Stat. 2369.)

§ 1332. Diversity of citizenship; amount in controversy; costs

(a) The district courts shall have original jurisdiction of all civil actions where the matter
in controversy exceeds the sum or value of $75,000, exclusive of interest and costs, and is
between—
(1) citizens of different States;
(2) citizens of a State and citizens or subjects of a foreign state;
(3) citizens of different States and in which citizens or subjects of a foreign state are
additional parties; and
(4) a foreign state, defined in section 1603(a) of this title, as plaintiff and citizens of a
State or of different States.
For the purposes of this section, section 1335, and section 1441, an alien admitted to the
United States for permanent residence shall be deemed a citizen of the State in which such
alien is domiciled.
(b) Except when express provision therefor is otherwise made in a statute of the United
States, where the plaintiff who files the case originally in the Federal courts is finally ad-
judged to be entitled to recover less than the sum or value of $75,000, computed without
regard to any setoff or counterclaim to which the defendant may be adjudged to be entitled,
and exclusive of interest and costs, the district court may deny costs to the plaintiff and, in
addition, may impose costs on the plaintiff.
(c) For the purposes of this section and section 1441 of this title—
(1) a corporation shall be deemed to be a citizen of any State by which it has been in-
corporated and of the State where it has its principal place of business, except that in any
direct action against the insurer of a policy or contract of liability insurance, whether incor-
porated or unincorporated, to which action the insured is not joined as a party-defendant,
such insurer shall be deemed a citizen of the State of which the insured is a citizen, as well
as of any State by which the insurer has been incorporated and of the State where it has its
principal place of business; and

173
28 USC § 1332
(2) the legal representative of the estate of a decedent shall be deemed to be a citizen
only of the same State as the decedent, and the legal representative of an infant or incompe-
tent shall be deemed to be a citizen only of the same State as the infant or incompetent.
(d)(1) In this subsection—
(A) the term “class” means all of the class members in a class action;
(B) the term “class action” means any civil action filed under rule 23 of the Federal
Rules of Civil Procedure or similar State statute or rule of judicial procedure authorizing
an action to be brought by 1 or more representative persons as a class action;
(C) the term “class certification order” means an order issued by a court approving
the treatment of some or all aspects of a civil action as a class action; and
(D) the term “class members” means the persons (named or unnamed) who fall with-
in the definition of the proposed or certified class in a class action.
(2) The district courts shall have original jurisdiction of any civil action in which the
matter in controversy exceeds the sum or value of $5,000,000, exclusive of interest and
costs, and is a class action in which—
(A) any member of a class of plaintiffs is a citizen of a State different from any
defendant;
(B) any member of a class of plaintiffs is a foreign state or a citizen or subject of a
foreign state and any defendant is a citizen of a State; or
(C) any member of a class of plaintiffs is a citizen of a State and any defendant is a
foreign state or a citizen or subject of a foreign state.
(3) A district court may, in the interests of justice and looking at the totality of the
circumstances, decline to exercise jurisdiction under paragraph (2) over a class action in
which greater than one-third but less than two-thirds of the members of all proposed plain-
tiff classes in the aggregate and the primary defendants are citizens of the State in which
the action was originally filed based on consideration of—
(A) whether the claims asserted involve matters of national or interstate interest;
(B) whether the claims asserted will be governed by laws of the State in which the
action was originally filed or by the laws of other States;
(C) whether the class action has been pleaded in a manner that seeks to avoid Federal
jurisdiction;
(D) whether the action was brought in a forum with a distinct nexus with the class
members, the alleged harm, or the defendants;
(E) whether the number of citizens of the State in which the action was originally
filed in all proposed plaintiff classes in the aggregate is substantially larger than the num-
ber of citizens from any other State, and the citizenship of the other members of the pro-
posed class is dispersed among a substantial number of States; and
(F) whether, during the 3-year period preceding the filing of that class action, 1 or
more other class actions asserting the same or similar claims on behalf of the same or other
persons have been filed.
(4) A district court shall decline to exercise jurisdiction under paragraph (2)—
(A)(i) over a class action in which—
(I) greater than two-thirds of the members of all proposed plaintiff classes in
the aggregate are citizens of the State in which the action was originally filed;
(II) at least 1 defendant is a defendant—
(aa) from whom significant relief is sought by members of the plaintiff
class;

174
 28 USC § 1332
(bb) whose alleged conduct forms a significant basis for the claims as-
serted by the proposed plaintiff class; and
(cc) who is a citizen of the State in which the action was originally filed;
and
(III) principal injuries resulting from the alleged conduct or any related con-
duct of each defendant were incurred in the State in which the action was originally
filed; and
(ii) during the 3-year period preceding the filing of that class action, no other class
action has been filed asserting the same or similar factual allegations against any of the
defendants on behalf of the same or other persons; or
(B) two-thirds or more of the members of all proposed plaintiff classes in the ag-
gregate, and the primary defendants, are citizens of the State in which the action was
originally filed.
(5) Paragraphs (2) through (4) shall not apply to any class action in which—
(A) the primary defendants are States, State officials, or other governmental entities
against whom the district court may be foreclosed from ordering relief; or
(B) the number of members of all proposed plaintiff classes in the aggregate is less
than 100.
(6) In any class action, the claims of the individual class members shall be aggregated
to determine whether the matter in controversy exceeds the sum or value of $5,000,000,
exclusive of interest and costs.
(7) Citizenship of the members of the proposed plaintiff classes shall be determined for
purposes of paragraphs (2) through (6) as of the date of filing of the complaint or amended
complaint, or, if the case stated by the initial pleading is not subject to Federal jurisdiction,
as of the date of service by plaintiffs of an amended pleading, motion, or other paper, indi-
cating the existence of Federal jurisdiction.
(8) This subsection shall apply to any class action before or after the entry of a class
certification order by the court with respect to that action.
(9) Paragraph (2) shall not apply to any class action that solely involves a claim—
(A) concerning a covered security as defined under 16(f)(3) of the Securities Act of
1933 (15 U.S.C. 78p(f)(3)) and section 28(f)(5)(E) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(15 U.S.C. 78bb(f)(5)(E));
(B) that relates to the internal affairs or governance of a corporation or other form of
business enterprise and that arises under or by virtue of the laws of the State in which such
corporation or business enterprise is incorporated or organized; or
(C) that relates to the rights, duties (including fiduciary duties), and obligations relat-
ing to or created by or pursuant to any security (as defined under section 2(a)(1) of the
Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77b(a)(1)) and the regulations issued thereunder).
(10) For purposes of this subsection and section 1453, an unincorporated association
shall be deemed to be a citizen of the State where it has its principal place of business and
the State under whose laws it is organized.
(11)(A) For purposes of this subsection and section 1453, a mass action shall be deemed
to be a class action removable under paragraphs (2) through (10) if it otherwise meets the
provisions of those paragraphs.
(B)(i) As used in subparagraph (A), the term “mass action” means any civil action
(except a civil action within the scope of section 1711(2)) in which monetary relief claims
of 100 or more persons are proposed to be tried jointly on the ground that the plaintiffs’

175
28 USC § 1332
claims involve common questions of law or fact, except that jurisdiction shall exist only
over those plaintiffs whose claims in a mass action satisfy the jurisdictional amount re-
quirements under subsection (a).
(ii) As used in subparagraph (A), the term “mass action” shall not include any
civil action in which—
(I) all of the claims in the action arise from an event or occurrence in the State
in which the action was filed, and that allegedly resulted in injuries in that State or in
States contiguous to that State;
(II) the claims are joined upon motion of a defendant;
(III) all of the claims in the action are asserted on behalf of the general public
(and not on behalf of individual claimants or members of a purported class) pursuant
to a State statute specifically authorizing such action; or
(IV) the claims have been consolidated or coordinated solely for pretrial pro-
ceedings.
(C)(i) Any action(s) removed to Federal court pursuant to this subsection shall not
thereafter be transferred to any other court pursuant to section 1407, or the rules promul-
gated thereunder, unless a majority of the plaintiffs in the action request transfer pursuant
to section 1407.
(ii) This subparagraph will not apply—
(I) to cases certified pursuant to rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Proce-
dure; or
(II) if plaintiffs propose that the action proceed as a class action pursuant to
rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
(D) The limitations periods on any claims asserted in a mass action that is removed to
Federal court pursuant to this subsection shall be deemed tolled during the period that the
action is pending in Federal court.
(e) The word “States”, as used in this section, includes the Territories, the District of Co-
lumbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
(June 25, 1948, ch. 646, 62 Stat. 930; July 26, 1956, ch. 740, 70 Stat. 658; Pub. L. 85-554, Sec. 2, July 25, 1958, 72 Stat. 415;
Pub. L. 88-439, Sec. 1, Aug. 14, 1964, 78 Stat. 445; Pub. L. 94-583, Sec. 3, Oct. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 2891; Pub. L. 100-702, title
II, Secs. 201(a), 202(a), 203(a), Nov. 19, 1988, 102 Stat. 4646; Pub. L. 104-317, title II, Sec. 205(a), Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat.
3850; Pub. L. 109-2, Sec. 4(a), Feb. 18, 2005, 119 Stat. 9.)

§ 1333. Admiralty, maritime and prize cases

The district courts shall have original jurisdiction, exclusive of the courts of the States,
of:
(1) Any civil case of admiralty or maritime jurisdiction, saving to suitors in all cases all
other remedies to which they are otherwise entitled.
(2) Any prize brought into the United States and all proceedings for the condemnation of
property taken as prize.
(June 25, 1948, ch. 646, 62 Stat. 931; May 24, 1949, ch. 139, Sec. 79, 63 Stat. 101.)

§ 1334. Bankruptcy cases and proceedings

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the district courts shall have origi-
nal and exclusive jurisdiction of all cases under title 11.
(b) Except as provided in subsection (e)(2), and notwithstanding any Act of Congress that
confers exclusive jurisdiction on a court or courts other than the district courts, the district
courts shall have original but not exclusive jurisdiction of all civil proceedings arising under
title 11, or arising in or related to cases under title 11.

176
 28 USC § 1334
(c)(1) Except with respect to a case under chapter 15 of title 11, nothing in this section
prevents a district court in the interest of justice, or in the interest of comity with State courts
or respect for State law, from abstaining from hearing a particular proceeding arising under
title 11 or arising in or related to a case under title 11.
(2) Upon timely motion of a party in a proceeding based upon a State law claim or State
law cause of action, related to a case under title 11 but not arising under title 11 or arising
in a case under title 11, with respect to which an action could not have been commenced
in a court of the United States absent jurisdiction under this section, the district court shall
abstain from hearing such proceeding if an action is commenced, and can be timely adju-
dicated, in a State forum of appropriate jurisdiction.
(d) Any decision to abstain or not to abstain made under subsection (c) (other than a deci-
sion not to abstain in a proceeding described in subsection (c)(2)) is not reviewable by appeal
or otherwise by the court of appeals under section 158(d), 1291, or 1292 of this title or by the
Supreme Court of the United States under section 1254 of this title. Subsection (c) and this
subsection shall not be construed to limit the applicability of the stay provided for by section
362 of title 11, United States Code, as such section applies to an action affecting the property
of the estate in bankruptcy.
(e) The district court in which a case under title 11 is commenced or is pending shall have
exclusive jurisdiction—
(1) of all the property, wherever located, of the debtor as of the commencement of such
case, and of property of the estate; and
(2) over all claims or causes of action that involve construction of section 327 of title 11,
United States Code, or rules relating to disclosure requirements under section 327.
(June 25, 1948, ch. 646, 62 Stat. 931; Pub. L. 95-598, title II, Sec. 238(a), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2667; Pub. L. 98-353, title
I, Sec. 101(a), July 10, 1984, 98 Stat. 333; Pub. L. 99-554, title I, Sec. 144(e), Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3096; Pub. L. 101-650,
title III, Sec. 309(b), Dec. 1, 1990, 104 Stat. 5113; Pub. L. 103-394, title I, Sec. 104(b), Oct. 22, 1994, 108 Stat. 4109; Pub. L.
109-8, title III, Sec. 324(a), title VIII, Sec. 802(c)(2), Title XII, Sec. 1219, Apr. 20, 2005, 119 Stat. 98, 145, 195.)

§ 1335. Interpleader
(a) The district courts shall have original jurisdiction of any civil action of interpleader or
in the nature of interpleader filed by any person, firm, or corporation, association, or society
having in his or its custody or possession money or property of the value of $500 or more,
or having issued a note, bond, certificate, policy of insurance, or other instrument of value or
amount of $500 or more, or providing for the delivery or payment or the loan of money or
property of such amount or value, or being under any obligation written or unwritten to the
amount of $500 or more, if
(1) Two or more adverse claimants, of diverse citizenship as defined in subsection (a)
or (d) of section 1332 of this title, are claiming or may claim to be entitled to such money
or property, or to any one or more of the benefits arising by virtue of any note, bond, cer-
tificate, policy or other instrument, or arising by virtue of any such obligation; and if (2)
the plaintiff has deposited such money or property or has paid the amount of or the loan or
other value of such instrument or the amount due under such obligation into the registry of
the court, there to abide the judgment of the court, or has given bond payable to the clerk
of the court in such amount and with such surety as the court or judge may deem proper,
conditioned upon the compliance by the plaintiff with the future order or judgment of the
court with respect to the subject matter of the controversy.
(b) Such an action may be entertained although the titles or claims of the conflicting claimants do
not have a common origin, or are not identical, but are adverse to and independent of one another.
(June 25, 1948, ch. 646, 62 Stat. 931; Pub. L. 109-2, Sec. 4(b), Feb. 18, 2005, 119 Stat. 12.)

177
28 USC § 2073
(b) The Judicial Conference shall authorize the appointment of a standing committee on
rules of practice, procedure, and evidence under subsection (a) of this section. Such stand-
ing committee shall review each recommendation of any other committees so appointed and
recommend to the Judicial Conference rules of practice, procedure, and evidence and such
changes in rules proposed by a committee appointed under subsection (a)(2) of this section
as may be necessary to maintain consistency and otherwise promote the interest of justice.
(c)(1) Each meeting for the transaction of business under this chapter by any committee
appointed under this section shall be open to the public, except when the committee so meet-
ing, in open session and with a majority present, determines that it is in the public interest
that all or part of the remainder of the meeting on that day shall be closed to the public, and
states the reason for so closing the meeting. Minutes of each meeting for the transaction of
business under this chapter shall be maintained by the committee and made available to the
public, except that any portion of such minutes, relating to a closed meeting and made avail-
able to the public, may contain such deletions as may be necessary to avoid frustrating the
purposes of closing the meeting.
(2) Any meeting for the transaction of business under this chapter, by a committee ap-
pointed under this section, shall be preceded by sufficient notice to enable all interested
persons to attend.
(d) In making a recommendation under this section or under section 2072 or 2075, the
body making that recommendation shall provide a proposed rule, an explanatory note on
the rule, and a written report explaining the body’s action, including any minority or other
separate views.
(e) Failure to comply with this section does not invalidate a rule prescribed under section
2072 or 2075 of this title.
(Added Pub. L. 100-702, title IV, Sec. 401(a), Nov. 19, 1988, 102 Stat. 4649; amended Pub. L. 103-394, title I, Sec. 104(e),
Oct. 22, 1994, 108 Stat. 4110.)

§ 2074. Rules of procedure and evidence; submission to Congress; ef-

fective date
(a) The Supreme Court shall transmit to the Congress not later than May 1 of the year in
which a rule prescribed under section 2072 is to become effective a copy of the proposed
rule. Such rule shall take effect no earlier than December 1 of the year in which such rule
is so transmitted unless otherwise provided by law. The Supreme Court may fix the extent
such rule shall apply to proceedings then pending, except that the Supreme Court shall not
require the application of such rule to further proceedings then pending to the extent that,
in the opinion of the court in which such proceedings are pending, the application of such
rule in such proceedings would not be feasible or would work injustice, in which event the
former rule applies.
(b) Any such rule creating, abolishing, or modifying an evidentiary privilege shall have no
force or effect unless approved by Act of Congress.
(Added Pub. L. 100-702, title IV, Sec. 401(a), Nov. 19, 1988, 102 Stat. 4649, eff. Dec. 1, 1988.)

202
 United States Constitution
The Constitution
of the United States
Of America
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish
Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general
Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and
establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
Article. I.
Section 1.
All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States,
which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.
Section 2.
Clause 1: The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every
second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the
Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature.
Clause 2: No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the Age of
twenty five Years, and been seven Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not,
when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.
Clause 3: Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States
which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which
shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound
to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other
Persons. The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of
the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such
Manner as they shall by Law direct. The Number of Representatives shall not exceed one
for every thirty Thousand, but each State shall have at Least one Representative; and until
such enumeration shall be made, the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to chuse three,
Massachusetts eight, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut five, New-
York six, New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten,
North Carolina five, South Carolina five, and Georgia three.
Clause 4: When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the Executive
Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies.
Clause 5: The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers; and
shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.
Section 3.
Clause 1: The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each
State, chosen by the Legislature thereof, for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote.
Clause 2: Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence of the first Election,
they shall be divided as equally as may be into three Classes. The Seats of the Senators of
the first Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of the second Class at
the Expiration of the fourth Year, and of the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year,
so that one third may be chosen every second Year; and if Vacancies happen by Resignation,
or otherwise, during the Recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive thereof may
make temporary Appointments until the next Meeting of the Legislature, which shall then
fill such Vacancies.
203
United States Constitution
Clause 3: No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty
Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected,
be an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen.
Clause 4: The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall
have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.
Clause 5: The Senate shall chuse their other Officers, and also a President pro tempore, in
the Absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the Office of President of the
United States.
Clause 6: The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for
that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States
is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concur-
rence of two thirds of the Members present.
Clause 7: Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal
from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under
the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indict-
ment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.
Section 4.
Clause 1: The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Repre-
sentatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress
may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of chusing
Senators.
Clause 2: The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, and such Meeting shall
be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day.
Section 5.
Clause 1: Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its
own Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a small-
er Number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance
of absent Members, in such Manner, and under such Penalties as each House may provide.
Clause 2: Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for
disorderly Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.
Clause 3: Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time pub-
lish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas
and Nays of the Members of either House on any question shall, at the Desire of one fifth of
those Present, be entered on the Journal.
Clause 4: Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without the Consent of
the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place than that in which the two
Houses shall be sitting.
Section 6.
Clause 1: The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Ser-
vices, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall
in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest dur-
ing their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning
from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned
in any other Place.
Clause 2: No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected,
be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States, which shall have
been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been encreased during such time; and

204
 United States Constitution
no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House
during his Continuance in Office.
Section 7.
Clause 1: All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but
the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.
Clause 2: Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Sen-
ate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States; If he
approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in
which it shall have originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and
proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree
to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by which it
shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become
a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by yeas and Nays,
and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal
of each House respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days
(Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like
Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return,
in which Case it shall not be a Law.
Clause 3: Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence of the Senate and
House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of Adjournment) shall be
presented to the President of the United States; and before the Same shall take Effect, shall
be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds of the
Senate and House of Representatives, according to the Rules and Limitations prescribed in
the Case of a Bill.
Section 8.
Clause 1: The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and
Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the
United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United
States;
Clause 2: To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;
Clause 3: To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and
with the Indian Tribes;
Clause 4: To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject
of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;
Clause 5: To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Stan-
dard of Weights and Measures;
Clause 6: To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin
of the United States;
Clause 7: To establish Post Offices and post Roads;
Clause 8: To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited
Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Dis-
coveries;
Clause 9: To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;
Clause 10: To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and
Offences against the Law of Nations;
Clause 11: To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concern-
ing Captures on Land and Water;

205
 Index
Accord and satisfaction, FRCP 8(c) Clerks
Admiralty Jurisdiction, 28 USC §1333 Books & Records, FRCP 79
Admiralty & Maritime Claims, FRCP 9 Generally, FRCP 77
Admiralty Rules Collusive Joinder, 28 USC §1359
Actions in Rem and Quasi in Rem, Admiralty Rule E Commencement of Action, FRCP 3
Attachment and Garnishment, Admiralty Rule B Commercial Paper, Authentication, FRE 902
Forfeiture Actions In Rem, Admiralty Rule G Competency, FRE 601
In Rem Actions: Special Provisions, Admiralty Rule C Competency of Judge as Witness, FRE 605
Limitation of Liability, Admiralty Rule F Competency of Juror as Witness, FRE 606
Possessory, Petitory, and Partition Actions, Admi- Complaint, FRCP 7(a), 8(a), Forms 10-21
ralty Rule D Compulsory Counterclaims, FRCP 13
Scope of Rules, Admiralty Rule A Computer records, FRCP 26, 34
Admissibility Compromise and Offers, FRE 408
Function of Court, Jury, FRE 1008, 1101 Conclusions of Law, FRCP 52
Limited, FRE 105 Condemnation, FRCP 71.1
Admission of a Party, FRE 801, 1007 Complaint, Form 61
Admission, Requests for, FRCP 36, Form 51 Notice, Form 60
Adoption by Reference, FRCP 10 Condition, Existing Mental or Physical, FRE 803
Affirmative Defenses, FRCP 8 Condition Precedent, FRCP 9
Amendment of Judgments, FRCP 59 Consolidation, FRCP 42
Amendment to Pleadings, FRCP 15 Constitutional Challenge, FRCP 5.1
Amendments to Rules of Evidence, FRE 1102 Contempt proceedings, Service FRCP 4.1
Ancient Documents, Authentication, FRE 901 Contributory negligence, FRCP 8(c)
Answer Conversion, Complaint for, Form 15
to Complaint, FRCP 7(a), 12(b), Forms 30, 31 Conviction
to Counterclaim, FRCP 7(a) Admissibility, FRE 803
to Cross-claim, FRCP 7(a) Use for Impeachment, FRE 609
to Third-party Complaint, FRCP 7(a) Copyright Impoundment, FRCP 65
Appeal, Motion Pending FRCP 62.1 Copyright Infringement, Complaint for, Form 19
Applicability of Rules, FRCP 81, FRE 1101 Costs, FRCP 54, 58
Arbitration and award, FRCP 8(c) Counterclaims, FRCP 13, Form 31
Associations, Actions Relating to, FRCP 23.2 Crime, Impeachment, FRE 609
Assumption of risk, FRCP 8(c) Cross-Claim, FRCP 13
Attorney-client privilege FRE 502 Cross-Examination, Scope of, FRE 611
Attorneys Fees, FRCP 54, 58 Data Compilation, Authentication, FRE 901
Authentication, FRCP 44, FRE 901, 902 Death of Judge, FRCP 63
See also Records Death of Party, FRCP 25
Authority, Pleading, FRCP 9(a) Noting of, Form 9
Bankruptcy Jurisdiction, 28 USC §1334 Declarant
Belief of Impending Death, Statements under, FRE 804 Credibility of, FRE 806
Best Evidence Rule, FRE 1002-1004 Definition, FRE 801(b)
Bill of Attainder, Const. Art. I, § 9 Unavailable, FRE 804
Books and Records of Clerk, FRCP 79 Declaratory Judgment, FRCP 57
Capacity, FRCP 9, 17 Declaratory Relief, Complaint for, Form 20
Caption, FRCP 10, Form 1 Default, FRCP 55
Certificate of Service, FRCP 5 Defenses, FRCP 8, 12, Forms 30, 31
Certified Copies, FRE 901-902 Consolidation, FRCP 12
Change of Venue, 28 USC §1404 Waiver, FRCP 12
Character Evidence, FRE 404-5, 608 Demurrers, FRCP 7
Child Molestation Cases, FRE 414-15 Denials, Pleading, FRCP 8(b)
Civil Action, FRCP 2 Deposits in Court, FRCP 67
Civil Contempt, FRCP 4.1 Depositions
Claim for Relief, FRCP 8 Before Action, FRCP 27
Class Action, FRCP 23 Certification & Delivery, FRCP 30
Diversity Jurisdiction, 28 USC §1332 Errors & Irregularities in, FRCP 32
Removal, 28 USC §1453 Failure to Attend, FRCP 30, 37
Clerical Mistakes, FRCP 60 Oral Examination, FRCP 30

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 Index
Pending Appeal, FRCP 27 Relevance, FRE 401
Perpetuation by Action, FRCP 27 Rulings On, FRE 103
Persons Who Take, FRCP 28 Stenographic Report, FRCP 80
Use in Court, FRCP 32 Written or Recorded Statements, FRE 106
Written Questions, FRCP 31 Exceptions Unnecessary, FRCP 46
Derivative Actions, FRCP 23.1 Excited Utterance, FRE 803
Directed Verdict, FRCP 50 Excusable Neglect, FRCP 60
Disability of Judge, FRCP 63 Exclusion of Witnesses, FRE 615
Discharge in bankruptcy, FRCP 8(c) Execution on Judgment, FRCP 69
Disclosure Statement, FRCP 7.1, 26 Exhibits, FRCP 10
Discovery, FRCP 26-37 Experts
Business Records, FRCP 33 Admissibility of Opinion, FRE 702-6
Conference, FRCP 26 Authentication by, FRE 901
Depositions, FRCP 27, 28, 30-32 Discovery of Opinion, FRCP 26
Electronic Discovery, FRCP 26, 34 Existing Mental or Physical Condition, FRE 803
Entry Upon Land, FRCP 34 Failure of consideration, FRCP 8(c)
Expert Opinion, FRCP 26 Failure to State a Claim, FRCP 12, Form 40
Insurance Agreements, FRCP 26 Federal Employers Liability Act, Complaint under,
Interrogatories, FRCP 33 Form 13
Limitations on, FRCP 26 Federal Question Jurisdiction, 28 USC §1331
Nonparties, FRCP 34, 45 Filing With the Court
Physical & Mental Exams, FRCP 26 How Made, FRCP 5
Privilege, FRCP 26 Privacy Protections, FRCP 5.2
Production of Documents, FRCP 34 Findings by Court, FRCP 52
Production of Electronically Stored Information, Foreign Law, FRCP 44.1
FRCP 26, 34 Foreign Documents, FRE 902
Protective Orders, FRCP 26 Foreign States, 28 USC §1330
Requests for Admissions, FRCP 36 , Form 51 Former Testimony, FRE 803
Required Disclosures, FRCP 26 Forms, FRCP 84
Sanctions, FRCP 37 Foundation for Testimony, FRE 602
Scope, FRCP 26 Fraud, FRCP 8(c), 9, 60
Signing Requests and Responses, FRCP 26 Fraudulent Conveyances, FRCP 18, Form 21
Stipulations, FRCP 29 Full Faith & Credit, US Const. Art. IV, § 1
Subpoena, FRCP 45 Grand Jury, Applicability of Rules, FRE 1101
Supplementation, FRCP 26 Habeas Corpus, US Const. Art. I, § 9
Timing and Sequence, FRCP 26 Habit, Routine Practice, FRE 406
Trial Preparation Materials, FRCP 26 Handwriting, Authentication, FRE 901
Dismissal of Actions, FRCP 41 Harmless Error, FRCP 61
Distinctive Characteristics, Authentication, FRE 901 Hearsay, FRE 801-807
District Court, FRCP 77 Admission by Party, FRE 801
Diversity Jurisdiction, 28 USC §1332 Credibility of Declarant, FRE 806
Docket, FRCP 79 Declarant Unavailable, FRE 804
Documents, See Discovery; Records Definitions, FRE 801
Duplicates, FRE 1001-1004 Exceptions, FRE 803, 804
Duress, FRCP 8(c) Prior Statement by Witness, FRE 801
Effective Date of Rules, FRCP 86 Residual Exception, FRE 807
Electronically Stored Information, FRCP 16, 26, 34 Rule, FRE 802
Enlargement of Time, FRCP 6 Within Hearsay, FRE 805
Entry of Judgment, FRCP 58 Identification, FRE 901
Entry Upon Land, FRCP 34, Form 50 Illegality, FRCP 8(c)
Error, Plain FRE 103 Impeachment, FRE 607, 609, 806
Estoppel, FRCP 8(c) Impending Death, FRE 804
Evidence Inadvertence, FRCP 60
Exclusion, FRE 402 Incompetent persons, FRCP 17, 25
Limited Admissibility, FRE 105 Infants, FRCP 17
Newly Discovered, FRCP 60 Injunctions, FRCP 65
Preliminary Question, FRE 104 Injury by fellow servant, FRCP 8(c)

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 Index
Insurance, Liability, FRE 411 Condemnation, 28 USC §1358
Interpleader, FRCP 22, Forms 20, 31, 28 USC §§ 1335, Consul, Vice Consul, 28 USC §1351
1397 Customs Duties, 28 USC §1340
Interpreters, FRCP 43, FRE 604 Diplomatic Missions Insurance, 28 USC §1364
Interrogation by Court, FRE 614 District of Columbia, 28 USC §1366
Interrogation, Mode of, FRE 611 Diversity, 28 USC §1332
Interrogatories, FRCP 33 Election Disputes, 28 USC §1344
Intervention, FRCP 24, Form 42 Eminent Domain, 28 USC §1358
Joinder Federal Corporation, 28 USC §1349
Claims, FRCP 18 Federal Question, 28 USC §1331
Persons, FRCP 19 Fines, Penalties or Forfeiture, 28 USC §1355
Parties, FRCP 13 Foreign State, 28 USC §1330
Misjoinder, FRCP 21 Indian Allotments, 28 USC §1353
Nonjoinder, FRCP 21 Indian as Party, 28 USC §1360
Permissive, FRCP 20 Indian Tribes, 28 USC §1362
Remedies, FRCP 18 Injuries Under Federal Law, 28 USC §1357
Required, FRCP 19 Internal Revenue, 28 USC §1340
Judge, Inability to Proceed, FRCP 63 Interpleader, 28 USC §1335
Judge’s Directives, FRCP 83 Judicial Power, Const. Art. III
Judge Trial, FRCP 39 Juror’s Employment Rights, 28 USC §1363
Judge as a Witness, FRE 605 Lack of, FRCP 12, Form 40
Judgment, FRCP 54 Land Grants, 28 USC §1354
Amendment, FRCP 59 Mandamus, 28 USC §1361
As a Matter of Law, FRCP 50 Multiparty, Multiforum, 28 USC §1369
Attorney’s Fees, FRCP 54, 58 Parties Collusively Named, 28 USC §1359
Costs, FRCP 54, 58 Partition Action, 28 USC §1347
Declaratory, FRCP 57 Patents, Copyrights, Trademarks, 28 USC §1338
Decision by Court, Form 71 Postal Matters, 28 USC §1339
Default, FRCP 55 Public Utility Rate Orders, 28 USC §1342
Demand, FRCP 54 Seizures, 28 USC §1356
Entry, FRCP 58 Senate Actions, 28 USC §1365
Execution, FRCP 69 State Agencies, 28 USC §1342
For Specific Acts, FRCP 70 Statement of, Form 7
Jury Verdict, Form 70 State Taxes, 28 USC §1341
Multiple Claims, FRCP 54 Surface Transp. Bd, 28 USC §1336
Multiple Parties, FRCP 54 Supplemental, 28 USC §1367
Non-Parties, FRCP 71 Unfair International Trade, 28 USC §1368
Notice, FRCP 77 U.S. as Defendant, 28 USC §1346
Offer of, FRCP 68 U.S. as Plaintiff, 28 USC §1345
Partial Findings, FRCP 52 U.S. Officer, Compelling 28 USC §1361
Pleading, FRCP 9 Jurors
Relief From, FRCP 60 As a Witness, FRE 606
Satisfaction, FRCP 64 Number, FRCP 48
Specific Acts, FRCP 70 Selection of, FRCP 47
Summary Judgment, FRCP 56 Jury
Vesting Title, FRCP 70 Function of, FRE 1008
Judicial Notice, FRE 201 Instructions, FRCP 51
Jurisdiction, 28 USC §§ 1330-1369 Jury Trial
Admiralty, 28 USC §1333 Bankruptcy, 28 USC §1411
Alien Tort Action, 28 USC §1350 Demand, FRCP 38, 39
Amount in Controversy, 28 USC §1332 Right, 7th Amend US Const, FRCP 38
Antitrust and Commerce, 28 USC §1337 Waiver, FRCP 38
Banking Association, 28 USC §1348 Juvenile Adjudication, FRE 609
Bankruptcy, 28 USC §1334 Laches, FRCP 8(c)
Bonds Under Federal Law, 28 USC §1352 Leading Questions, FRE 611
Civil Rights Actions, 28 USC §1343 Learned Treatises, FRE 803
Class Action, 28 USC §1332 Legal Holiday, FRCP 6(a)

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 Index
Liability Insurance, FRE 411 Underlying Facts or Data, FRE 705
License, FRCP 8(c) Orders
Local Rules, FRCP 83 Objecting to, FRCP 46
Magistrates, FRCP 72-76 Notice of, FRCP 77
Appeal, FRCP 73-76 Pretrial, FRCP 16
Consent to Assignment, FRCP 73, Form 81 Relief from, FRCP 60
District Court Judgment, FRCP 76 Original, FRE 1001-1004, 1008
Notice of Availability, Form 80 Other Crimes, FRE 404
Order of Assignment to, Form 82 Pardon, FRE 609
Pretrial Matters, FRCP 72 Parties
Masters, FRCP 53 Associations, FRCP 23.2
Medical Diagnosis or Treatment, FRE 803 Capacity to be Sued, FRCP 17(b)
Medical Expenses, FRE 409 Intervention, FRCP 24
Memory, FRE 612 Minor or Incompetent, FRCP 17(d), 25
Mental Examination, FRCP 35 Name, FRCP 10
Merchant Marine Act, Complaint under, Form 14 Omitting, Statement of Reasons for, Form 8
Minor or Incompetent Public Officer, FRCP 17(d), 25
As Party, FRCP 17(d), 25 Real Party in Interest, FRCP 17
As Witness, FRE 601 Statement Noting Party’s Death, FRCP 25, Form 9
Mistakes, FRCP 9, 60 Substitution, FRCP 25
More Definite Statement, FRCP 12 Patent Infringement, Complaint for, Form 18
Motion Day, FRCP 78 Payment, FRCP 8(c)
Motions Payment of Medical Expenses, FRE 409
Alter or Amend Judgment, FRCP 59 Permissive Counterclaims, FRCP 13
Bring in a Third Party Defendant, Form 41 Peremptory Challenges, FRCP 47
Dismiss, FRCP 12, Form 40 Personal Knowledge, FRE 602
Evidence, FRCP 43 Photographs, FRE 1001
Form, FRCP 7 Physical Examination, FRCP 35
Hearing for, FRCP 12(i), 78 Place, Pleading of, FRCP 9(f)
Intervene, FRCP 24, Form 42 Plain Error, FRE 103
Judgment on the Pleadings, FRCP 12 Planning Meeting, Report of, Form 52
More Definite Statement, FRCP 12 Pleadings, FRCP 7-15
New Trial, FRCP 50, 59 Allowed, FRCP 7
Pending Appeal FRCP 62.1 Amendments, FRCP 15
Strike, FRCP 12 Caption, FRCP 10
Submission on Briefs, FRCP 78 Claims, FRCP 8
Summary Judgment, FRCP 56 Construction of, FRCP 8
Time, FRCP 6 Defenses, FRCP 8
Negligence, Complaint for, Forms 11-13 Exhibits, FRCP 10
Newspapers, Authentication, FRE 902 Filing of, FRCP 5
Newly Discovered Evidence, FRCP 60 Form of, FRCP 10
New Trials, FRCP 59 Rules of, FRCP 8
Oath or Affirmation, FRE 603 Signing of, FRCP 11
Objections to Rulings, FRCP 46, FRE 103 Special Matters, FRCP 9
Offer of Judgment, FRCP 68 Supplemental, FRCP 15
Offer of Proof, FRE 103 Pleadings, Defenses, FRCP 8
Offer to Compromise, Admissibility, FRE 408 Pleas and Plea Discussions, FRE 410
Officer, FRCP 28(a) Preliminary Hearings, FRCP 12
Official Document or Act Preliminary Questions, FRE 104
Authentication, FRE 902 Present Sense Impression, FRE 803
Pleading, FRCP 9 Presumptions, FRE 301
Official Record, FRCP 44 State Law, FRE 302
Opinion Testimony, FRE 701-706 Pretrial Conferences, FRCP 16
Court Appointed Expert, FRE 706 Pretrial Orders, FRCP 16
Experts, FRE 702-6 Prior Statement, FRE 613
Lay Witness, FRE 701 Privileges, FRCP 26, FRE 501, 502, 1101
Ultimate Issue, FRE 704 Congressional approval, 28 USC §2074

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 Index
Privileges & Immunities, Const. Art. IV, § 2 Rules Applicable, FRCP 81
Process Against Non-Parties, FRCP 71 Sequestration, 28 USC §1450
Process or System, Authentication of, FRE 901 State Court Record, 28 USC §1449
Production of Documents & Things, FRCP 34, Form 50 Reply, FRCP 7
Proof of Service, FRCP 4 Reputation
Protective Orders, FRCP 26 Character, FRE 803
Public Documents, FRE 902, 1005 Personal or Family History, FRE 803
Public Officer as Party, FRCP 17(d), 25 Boundaries or General History, FRE 803
Receivers, FRCP 66 Request for Admissions, FRCP 36, Form 51
Recollection Refreshed, FRE 612 Residual Exception, Hearsay, FRE 807
Recorded Recollection, FRE 803 Res judicata, FRCP 8(c)
Records Responsive Pleading, FRCP 7(a), 8(b), 12
Absence of, FRE 803 Time for Service of, FRCP 12(a)
Absence of Entry in, FRE 803 Restraining Orders, FRCP 65
Acknowledged, FRE 902 Routine Practice, FRE 406
Affecting an Interest in Property, FRE 803 Rules of Decision, State Law as, 28 USC § 1652
Ancient Documents, FRE 803 Rules Enabling Act, 28 USC § 2072
Authentication, FRE 901-2 Rules of Evidence
Baptismal, FRE 803 Power to Prescribe, 28 USC § 2072
Certified, FRE 902 Purpose and Construction, FRE 102
Clerk, FRCP 79 Scope, FRE 101
Duplicate, FRE 1001, 1003 Rules of Procedure, Power to Prescribe, 28 USC § 2072
Family, FRE 803 Rulings
Foreign Documents, FRE 902 Objecting to, FRCP 46
Learned Treatises, FRE 803 On Evidence, FRE 103
Marriage, FRE 803 Sanctions, FRCP 11, 37
Market Reports, FRE 803 Satisfaction of Judgment, FRCP 64
Original, FRE 1001, 1002 Scope of Rules, FRCP 1
Proof Of, FRCP 44 Seal, Authentication, FRE 901
Public, FRE 803, 901-902, 1005 Searches & Seizures, 4th Amend. US Const.
Regularly Conducted Activity, FRE 803 Seizure of Person or Property, FRCP 64
Religious Organizations, FRE 803 Self Authentication, FRE 902
Summaries, FRE 1006 Separate Trials, FRCP 42
Vital Statistics, FRE 803 Service of Pleadings, FRCP 4, 5
Related Writings or Statements, FRE 106 Service of Process, FRCP 4
Release, FRCP 8(c) Dismissal for Insufficient, FRCP 12, Form 40
Relevant Evidence Other than a Summons, FRCP 4.1
Admissibility, FRE 402 Waiver of, Form 6
Definition, FRE 401 Sex Offense Cases, FRE 412-15
Exclusion of, FRE 403 Shareholders’ Derivative, FRCP 23.1
Relief From Judgment, FRCP 60 Signing, FRCP 11, Form 2
Religious Beliefs, FRE 610 Similar Crimes, FRE 413-415
Establishment Clause, 1st Amend US Const Special Damage, FRCP 9
Free Exercise Clause, 1st Amend US Const Special Defenses, FRCP 9
Remedial Measures, FRE 407 Special Matters, FRCP 9
Removal, 28 USC §§ 1441-1452 Special Verdicts, FRCP 49
Actions Removable, 28 USC §1441 Specific Performance, Complaint for, Form 17
Attachment, 28 USC §1450 State Law as Rules of Decision, 28 USC § 1652
Bankruptcy Cases, 28 USC §1452 Statement
Civil Rights Cases, 28 USC §1443 Against Interest, FRE 804
Definitions, 28 USC §1451 Defined, FRE 801(a)
Federal Officers Sued, 28 USC §1442 Noting Party’s Death, FRCP 25, Form 9
Foreclosure Action, 28 USC §1444 Personal or Family History, FRE 804
Nonremovable Actions, 28 USC §1445 Under Belief of Impending Death, FRE 804
Procedure After, 28 USC §1447, FRCP 81 Statute of frauds, FRCP 8(c)
Procedure for, 28 USC §1446 Statute of limitations, FRCP 8(c)
Process After, 28 USC §1448 Stay of Proceedings, FRCP 62

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 Index
Stenographer, FRCP 30, 80 Interpleader, 28 USC § 1397
Stenographic Transcript as Evidence, FRCP 80 Interstate Commerce Comm., 28 USC § 1398
Stipulations, FRCP 29 Jury Trials, 28 USC § 1411
Subpoena, FRCP 45 Multidistrict Litigation, 28 USC § 1407
Subscribing Witness, FRE 903 Partition Action involving U.S., 28 USC § 1399
Subsequent Remedial Measures, FRE 407 Patents, Copyrights, 28 USC § 1400
Substitution of Parties, FRCP 25 Stockholder’s Derivative Action, 28 USC § 1401
Sum Certain, Complaint to Recover, Form 10 U.S. as Defendant, 28 USC § 1402
Summaries, FRE 1006 Verdicts, Special, FRCP 49
Summary Judgment, FRCP 56 Voice Identification, FRE 901
Summons, FRCP 4, Forms 3, 4 Vote, Removal of Restrictions on
Supplemental Pleadings, FRCP 15 Age, 26th Amend US Const
Supremacy Clause, US Const. Art. VI, Cl. 2 Race, 15th Amend US Const
Sureties, FRCP 65.1 Sex, 19th Amend US Const
System or Process, Authentication of, FRE 901 Tax, 24th Amend US Const
Taxing Power, 16th Amend Waiver
Telephone Conversations, Authentication, FRE 901 Claims & Defenses, FRCP 8(c), 12(h)
Temporary Restraining Order, FRCP 65 Privileges, FRE 502
Testimony of Subscribing Witness, FRE 903 Waiver of Service, FRCP 4, Form 6
Testimony, Taking of, FRCP 43 Weight & Credibility, FRE104
Third Party Complaint, FRCP 14, Form 16 Witnesses
Third Party Practice, FRCP 14 Calling by Court, FRE 614
Motion to Bring in a Third Party Defendant, Form 41 Character & Conduct, FRE 608
Third-Party Complaint, Form 16 Examining by Court, FRE 614
Time Exclusion of, FRE 615
Computation/Enlargement of, FRCP 6 Generally, FRE 601-615
Pleading, FRCP 9 Prior Statements, FRE 613
Service of Responsive Pleading, FRCP 12(a) Subscribing Witness, FRE 615
Trade Inscriptions, Authentication of, FRE 902 Written Questions, FRCP 31
Transfer of Interest, FRCP 25 Work-Product Protection FRE 502
Trial Writing to Refresh Memory, FRE 612
Assignment for, FRCP 40 Writings, Recordings and Photographs
Bench, FRCP 39 Definitions, FRE 1001
Consolidation, FRCP 42 Duplicates, FRE 1003
Jury, FRCP 38 Function of Fact Finder, FRE 1008
New Trial, FRCP 59 Original, FRE 1002
Scheduling, FRCP 40 Other Evidence of Contents, FRE 1004
Separate, FRCP 13(i), 20, 42 Remainder of, FRE 106
Unavailability, FRE 804(a) Summaries, FRE 1006
United States, Party Jurisdiction, 28 USC §1345-46 Written Admission of Party, FRE 1007
Unfair Competition, Complaint for, Form 19
Unincorporated Associations, FRCP 23.2
Venue, 28 USC §§ 1391-1413
Alteration of District, 28 USC § 1405
Cases Ancillary to Foreign Proceedings, 28 USC § 1410
Cases under Chapter 5 of Title 3, 28 USC § 1413
Cases under Title 11, 28 USC §§ 1408-09
Change of Venue, 28 USC § 1404
Change of, 28 USC § 1412
Comptroller of Currency, 28 USC § 1394
Defects in, 28 USC § 1406
Different Districts in Same State, 28 USC § 1392
Eminent Domain, 28 USC § 1403
Fine, Penalty or Forfeiture, 28 USC § 1395
Generally 28 USC § 1391
Improper, Motion to Dismiss, FRCP 12, Form 40
Internal Revenue, 28 USC § 1396

222