{"id":3901,"date":"2017-08-05T17:17:17","date_gmt":"2017-08-05T17:17:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/reunitethestates.org\/?page_id=3901"},"modified":"2023-04-21T23:06:39","modified_gmt":"2023-04-21T23:06:39","slug":"fed-rules-civil-proc","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/reunitethestates.org\/?page_id=3901","title":{"rendered":"Federal Rules of Civil Procedure:"},"content":{"rendered":"

Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
\nMerge Equity<\/a> and Common Law<\/a>:<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 September 16, 1938<\/span><\/strong>, pursuant to its authority under the Rules Enabling Act of 1934<\/em><\/a>, the Supreme Court<\/a> enacted uniform rules of procedure for the federal courts<\/a>.\u00a0 Among the changes wrought by the rules was the elimination the federal courts’ separate jurisdiction over suits in equity<\/a> (a centuries-old system of English jurisprudence in which judges based decisions on general principles of fairness in situations where rigid application of common-law rules would have brought about injustice).\u00a0 Under the new rules, suits in equity<\/a> and suits at common law<\/a> were\u00a0grouped together\u00a0under the term \u201ccivil action<\/a>.\u201d<\/strong> [1]<\/span><\/div>\n
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\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 Below, you will find an unabridged, simplified version of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (2017)<\/a>\u00a0in order to aid you in\u00a0filing a civil action<\/a>. \u00a0This is compiled for the purpose of helping you\u00a0proceed\u00a0in court without the aid of an attorney, which is called “Pro Se Litigation<\/a>” (“for yourself”- or “on your own behalf”)<\/em>.<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
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\u00a0\u00a0 Every Federal District Courthouse<\/a> has a Pro Se Litigation self-help section to help you file within that district. \u00a0This is not for County<\/a> or State Courts<\/a>– we are speaking of\u00a0Federal\u00a0<\/a>Courts<\/a>–\u00a0learn more<\/a>.\u00a0 To find your local Federal District Courthouse, use the<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n

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Federal Courthouse Locator<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 Once you’ve located your local District courthouse, find the pro se self-help section for your local district. \u00a0Here are just a few from various courthouses:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Northern District of California www.cand.uscourts.gov\/prosehandbook<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

District of North Dakota www.ndd.uscourts.gov\/lci\/pro_se.pdf<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Iowa Judicial Branch
\nwww.iowacourts.gov\/For_the_Public\/Representing_Yourself_in_Court\/How_to_Represent_Yourself\/<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

U.S. Court of Federal Claims<\/a>:<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0www.uscfc.uscourts.gov\/pro-se-information<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 What you will find within most pro se self-help sections is that the courts recommend\u00a0Black\u2019s Law Dictionary<\/a>\u00a0or Ballantine’s Law Dictionary<\/a>.\u00a0 Therefore, those are the dictionaries we used to build this website<\/a> \u2014 definitions are found linked throughout the rules<\/em>.\u00a0 The links also include\u00a0blank court forms from UScourts.gov<\/a> embedded into their corresponding rules in order to make navigating “how to file a civil action<\/a>” simpler. \u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 Below, each section of the \u00a0of The Rules contains a short summary beneath them. \u00a0Rules which state “Nothing Functional<\/span>”\u00a0do not have any forms associated with them. \u00a0Rules which have “Step One Filing<\/span>”\u00a0are filed\u00a0first (so be sure not to miss any “step one” rules when filing your first set of paperwork!). \u00a0Rules which have “Step Two Filing<\/span>” are filed next\u00a0\u2014 and so on<\/em>. \u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 Click on any of the below rules to find a concise summary of the rule, related legal term definitions, & corresponding court forms, followed by the rule in its entirety. \u00a0The rest should be self-explanatory. \u00a0This work is being brought to you by\u00a0Wild Willpower<\/a>.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Title I- Scope of Rules; Form of Action:<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Rule 1\u00a0– Scope & Purpose<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Nothing Functional<\/span>– explains that Fed. Rules Civil Procedure<\/a> govern all Civil Cases<\/a> in all U.S. Federal District Courts<\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Rule 2\u00a0– One Form of Action<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Nothing Functional<\/span><\/strong>– explains that the 11 Forms of Action<\/a> that were historically used for\u00a0Common Law<\/a> have been condensed & simplified into the modern “Civil Action”.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Title II\u2013 Commencing an Action; Service of Process; Pleadings, Motions, & Orders:<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

“In Forma Pauperis”\u00a0<\/em>– Court Fee Waivers for Impoverished Persons\u00a0including Inmates<\/em><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Step One Filing<\/span>\u00a0–\u00a0for low income or impoverished persons, including inmates, who need to have court fees waived.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Rule 3 – Commencing An Action<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Step One Filing<\/span>\u00a0– this section includes the Civil Complaint form<\/a>\u00a0used to commence a civil action<\/a>.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Rule 4\u00a0– Summons & Other Process<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Step Two and Three\u00a0Filings\u00a0–<\/span> Send the Defendant(s) one\u00a0signed Notice of Lawsuit & Request to Waive Service Form<\/a> and two\u00a0\u00a0Waiver of the Service\u00a0Forms<\/a> along with one copy of the\u00a0Complaint<\/a>\u00a0& a\u00a0stamped, self-addressed envelope. \u00a0Each Defendant who fails to Waive the Service & Promise to Appear (explained in previous forms) must be sent a\u00a0Summons form<\/a> that is signed & sealed by the Court. \u00a0Read full rule<\/a>.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Next steps to be simplified soon.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Rule 5\u00a0– Serving and Filing Pleadings and Other Papers<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 5.1\u00a0\u2013 Constitutional Challenge to a Statute<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 5.2\u00a0\u2013 Privacy Protection for Filings Made with the Court<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 6 \u2013 Computing and Extending Time; Time for Motion Papers<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Title III- Pleadings & Motions:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Rule 7<\/a>\u2013 Pleadings Allowed; Form of Motions and Other Papers<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Rule 7.1\u2013 Disclosure Statement<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 8 \u2013 General Rules of Pleading<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 9 \u2013 Pleading Special Matters<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 10 \u2013 Form of Pleadings<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 11 \u2013 Signing Pleadings, Motions, and Other Papers; Representations to the Court; Sanctions<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 12 \u2013 Defenses and Objections: When and How Presented; Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings; Consolidating Motions; Waiving Defenses; Pretrial Hearing<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 13 \u2013 Counterclaim and Crossclaim<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 14 \u2013 Third-Party Practice<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 15 \u2013 Amended and Supplemental Pleadings<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 16 \u2013 Pretrial Conferences; Scheduling; Management<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Title IV – Parties:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Rule 17<\/a> \u2013 Plaintiff and Defendant; Capacity; Public Officers<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Rule 18 \u2013 Joinder of Claims<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 19 \u2013 Required Joinder of Parties<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 20 \u2013 Permissive Joinder of Parties<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 21 \u2013 Misjoinder and Nonjoinder of Parties<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 22 \u2013 Interpleader<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 23\u00a0– Class Actions<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 23.1 \u2013 Derivative Actions<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 23.2 \u2013 Actions Relating to Unincorporated Associations<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 24 \u2013 Intervention<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 25 \u2013 Substitution of Parties<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Title V – Disclosures & Discovery:<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Rule 26<\/a> \u2013 Duty to Disclose; General Provisions Governing Discovery<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 27 \u2013 Depositions to Perpetuate Testimony<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 28 \u2013 Persons Before Whom Depositions May Be Taken<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 29 \u2013 Stipulations About Discovery Procedure<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 30 \u2013 Depositions by Oral Examination<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 31 \u2013 Depositions by Written Questions<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 32 \u2013 Using Depositions in Court Proceedings<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 33 \u2013 Interrogatories to Parties<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 34 \u2013 Producing Documents, Electronically Stored Information, and Tangible Things, or Entering onto Land, for Inspection and Other Purposes<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 35 \u2013 Physical and Mental Examinations<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 36 \u2013 Requests for Admission<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 37 \u2013 Failure to Make Disclosures or to Cooperate in Discovery; Sanctions<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Title VI – Trials:<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Rule 38 \u2013 Right to a Jury Trial; Demand<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 39 \u2013 Trial by Jury or by the Court<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 40 \u2013 Scheduling Cases for Trial<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 41 \u2013 Dismissal of Actions<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 42 \u2013 Consolidation; Separate Trials<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 43 \u2013 Taking Testimony<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 44 \u2013 Proving an Official Record<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 44.1 \u2013 Determining Foreign Law<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 45 \u2013 Subpoena<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 46 \u2013 Objecting to a Ruling or Order<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 47 \u2013 Selecting Jurors<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 48 \u2013 Number of Jurors; Verdict; Polling<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 49 \u2013 Special Verdict; General Verdict and Questions<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 50 \u2013 Judgment as a Matter of Law in a Jury Trial; Related Motion for a New Trial; Conditional Ruling<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 51 \u2013 <\/a><\/span>Instructions to the Jury; Objections; Preserving a Claim of Error<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 52 \u2013 Findings and Conclusions by the Court; Judgment on Partial Findings<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 53 \u2013 Masters<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Title VII – Judgment:<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Rule 54 \u2013 Judgment; Costs<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 55 \u2013 Default; Default Judgment<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 56 \u2013 Summary Judgment<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 57 \u2013 Declaratory Judgment<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 58 \u2013 Entering Judgment<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 59 \u2013 New Trial; Altering or Amending a Judgment<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 60<\/a> \u2013 Relief from a Judgment or Order<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 61 \u2013 Harmless Error<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 62 \u2013 Stay of Proceedings to Enforce a Judgment<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 62.1 \u2013 Indicative Ruling on a Motion for Relief That is Barred by a Pending Appeal<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 63 \u2013 Judge\u2019s Inability to Proceed<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Title VIII- Provisional & Final Remedies:<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Rule 64 \u2013 Seizing a Person or Property<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 65 \u2013 Injunctions and Restraining Orders<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 65.1 \u2013 Proceedings Against a Surety<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 66 \u2013 Receivers<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 67 \u2013 Deposit into Court<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 68 \u2013 Offer of Judgment<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 69 \u2013 Execution<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 70 \u2013 Enforcing a Judgment for a Specific Act<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 71 \u2013 Enforcing Relief For or Against a Nonparty<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Title IX – Special Proceedings:<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Rule 71.1 \u2013 Condemning Real or Personal Property<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 72 \u2013 Magistrate Judges: Pretrial Order<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 73 \u2013 Magistrate Judges: Trial by Consent; Appeal<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Title X- District Courts & Clerks: Conducting Business; Issuing Orders:<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Rule 77 \u2013 Conducting Business; Clerk\u2019s Authority; Notice of an Order or Judgment<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 78 \u2013 Hearing Motions; Submission on Briefs<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 79 \u2013 Records Kept by the Clerk<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 80 \u2013 Stenographic Transcript as Evidence<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Title XI – General Provisions:<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Rule 81\u2013 Applicability of the Rules in General; Removed Actions<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 82 \u2013 Jurisdiction and Venue Unaffected<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 83 \u2013 Rules by District Courts; Judge\u2019s Directives<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 84 \u2013 Forms –\u00a0This rule was abrogated on December 1, 2015.<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 85 \u2013 Title<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule 86 \u2013 Effective Dates<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

XII – Appendix of Forms<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0(U.S. Courts site<\/strong><\/a>)\u00a0–\u00a0This rule was abrogated on December 1, 2015.<\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

XIII – Supplemental Rules for<\/span> Admiralty or Maritime<\/a> Claims & Asset Forfeiture Actions:<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule A \u2013 Scope of Rules<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule B \u2013 In Personam Actions: Attachment and Garnishment<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule C \u2013 In Rem Actions: Special Provisions<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule D \u2013 Possessory, Petitory, and Partition Actions<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule E \u2013 Actions in Rem and Quasi in Rem: General Provisions<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule F\u00a0<\/a>\u2013 Limitation of Liability<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rule G \u2013 Forfeiture Actions in Rem<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

*************************<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Federal Rules of Evidence<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Civil Rights Self-Help Tools<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Intro to Law<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Home Page<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Please Support Our Fundraiser on CrowdPAC<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Quote Source:<\/span> “Abraham Lincoln, [September 16-17, 1859] (Notes for Speech in Kansas and Ohio)<\/a>,”\u00a0Page 2<\/a>.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Source<\/a>[1]: Federal Judicial Center, “Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Merge Equity and Common Law”:\u00a0 https:\/\/www.fjc.gov\/history\/timeline\/federal-rules-civil-procedure-merge-equity-and-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n

Federal Rules of Civil Procedure: \u00a0https:\/\/www.law.cornell.edu\/rules\/frcp\/rule_1<\/a><\/h5>\n
Federal District Courthouse\u00a0locator: \u00a0http:\/\/www.uscourts.gov\/court-locator<\/a><\/em><\/h5>\n
Black’s Law, definition of “Jurisdiction”: \u00a0http:\/\/thelawdictionary.org\/jurisdiction\/<\/a><\/h5>\n
Sample of a “Case Caption”: \u00a0http:\/\/www.theconnectedlawyer.com\/archives\/189<\/a><\/h5>\n
Article 7 section 4 “Unfair Exemptions” in the California State Constitution: \u00a0http:\/\/www.leginfo.ca.gov\/.const\/.article_7<\/a><\/h5>\n
“Civil Cases” & “Criminal Cases” explained by the Federal Judicial Center: \u00a0http:\/\/www.fjc.gov\/federal\/courts.nsf\/autoframe!openform&nav=menu1&page=\/federal\/courts.nsf\/page\/154<\/a><\/h5>\n
California State BAR, a “public corporation in the judicial branch”: \u00a0http:\/\/www.calbar.ca.gov\/AboutUs.aspx<\/a><\/h5>\n
California State Constitution Article VII “exemptions from civil service: \u00a0http:\/\/www.leginfo.ca.gov\/.const\/.article_7<\/a><\/h5>\n
Nevada County Superior Courthouses, “public corporation in the judicial branch”: \u00a0http:\/\/www.nevadacountycourts.com\/<\/a><\/h5>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Merge Equity and Common Law: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 September 16, 1938, pursuant to its authority under the Rules Enabling Act of 1934, the Supreme Court enacted uniform rules of procedure for the federal courts.\u00a0 Among the changes wrought by the rules was the elimination the federal courts’ separate jurisdiction over suits in … Continue reading Federal Rules of Civil Procedure:<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":7155,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3901","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/reunitethestates.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3901","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/reunitethestates.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/reunitethestates.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reunitethestates.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reunitethestates.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3901"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/reunitethestates.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3901\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18640,"href":"https:\/\/reunitethestates.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3901\/revisions\/18640"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reunitethestates.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7155"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/reunitethestates.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3901"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}