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Federal Rules of Practice and Procedure - Annual Report 2012

The Federal Rules of Practice and Procedure govern litigation in the federal courts.

The Federal Rules of Practice and Procedure govern litigation in the federal courts. Throughout fiscal year 2012, amendments to the Federal Rules moved through various stages in the rule-making process.

Amendments to the Rules

The website of the Federal Rules of Practice and Procedure

The website of the Federal Rules of Practice and Procedure was completely revamped in fiscal year 2012 to give the bench, practicing bar, and public a simpler, more logical starting point to access the federal rules and forms. The rulemaking process is described in plain language and the website provides direct access to the rules, the work of the Judicial Conference’s Rules Committees, and other historical and archival material.

Rules Advisory Committee Activities

The Standing Committee and each of the Advisory Rules Committees typically meet twice each year. Committee meetings are open to the public, except when a committee—in open session and with a majority present—determines that it is in the public interest to have all or part of the meeting closed and states the reason. Meeting minutes are archived online. In addition to these meetings, Advisory Rules Committees may participate in various rules-related programs: