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Current Rules of Practice & Procedure

Below are links to the national federal rules and forms in effect, as well as local rules (which are required to be consistent with the national rules) prescribed by district courts and courts of appeal.

The following amended and new rules and forms became effective December 1, 2024:

  • Appellate Rules 32, 35, and 40, and the Appendix of Length Limits;
  • Bankruptcy Restyled Rules Parts I through IX, Rules 1007, 4004, 5009, 7001, and 9006, and new Rule 8023.1;
    • Bankruptcy Official Form 410A;
  • Civil Rule 12; and
  • Evidence Rules 613, 801, 804, and 1006, and new Rule 107.

Bankruptcy Official Form 423 was abrogated.

Federal Rules of Procedure

Find information on the rules of procedure. 

Forms Accompanying the Federal Rules of Procedure

Other Court Rules

Rules of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court

The Rules of Procedure for the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court were promulgated pursuant to 50 U.S.C. § 1803(g). They govern all proceedings in the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court and were last amended in 2010.

Local Court Rules

United States district courts and courts of appeals often prescribe local rules governing practice and procedure. Such rules must be consistent with both Acts of Congress and the Federal Rules of Practice and Procedure, and may only be prescribed after notice and an opportunity for public comment. A court's authority to prescribe local rules is governed by both statute and the Federal Rules of Practice and Procedure. See 28 U.S.C. §§ 2071(a)-(b); Fed. R. App. P. 47; Fed. R. Bankr. P. 9029; Fed. R. Civ. P. 83; Fed. R. Crim. P. 57.

Section 205 of the E-Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, requires that federal courts post local rules on their websites. Visit the Federal Court Finder for a listing of all federal court websites.

Additional resources on local rules are linked below.