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Learn about upcoming dates, agendas, and registration requirements for the publicly open meetings and hearings of the Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure and its Advisory Committees on Appellate, Bankruptcy, Civil, Criminal, and Evidence Rules.
The meetings of the Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure and its Advisory Committees on Appellate, Bankruptcy, Civil, Criminal, and Evidence Rules are open to the public to observe except when a committee determines the meeting should be closed under the Rules Committees Procedures.
The Rules Committees meet twice per year to conduct regular committee business. The appropriate agenda book contains meeting materials and an agenda of topics to be considered at each meeting. When proposed amendments are published for public comment every August, hearings are scheduled to receive testimony from witnesses to supplement written comments. Detailed information on meetings and hearings follows.
Public Registration
Rules Committee meetings and hearings are held in person, virtually, or in a hybrid format. In person events will have virtual attendance options whenever possible. The applicable Federal Register notice contains dates, locations, registration deadlines, and other event information.
You may register to observe a committee meeting or hearing by emailing RulesCommittee_Secretary@ao.uscourts.gov. Please note the registration requirements and deadlines for each event.
Please include your contact information, the committee name, the date of the event, and whether you wish to observe in person or virtually. You will receive an email response with information to facilitate your attendance.
Meetings Dates and Materials
Meeting materials are published at least two weeks prior to each meeting date on the agenda books page. Virtual registration is available at any time, provided it is completed before the meeting ends.
Due to required security measures, venue capacity limits, and coordination with facility management, requests to observe meetings in person must be received at least seven (7) days prior to the event as outlined in the Federal Register notice. After the registration deadline, only virtual attendance is permitted.
| Date | Committee | Location | Registration Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9/23/26 | Advisory Committee on Bankruptcy Rules Meeting | Washington, DC | 9/16/26 |
| 10/6/26 | Advisory Committee on Appellate Rules Committee Meeting | Washington, DC | 9/29/26 |
| 10/14/26 | Advisory Committee on Criminal Rules Committee Meeting | Boston, MA | 10/7/26 |
| 10/15/26 | Advisory Committee on Evidence Rules Committee Meeting | Boston, MA | 10/8/26 |
| 10/21/26 | Advisory Committee on Civil Rules Committee Meeting | Washington, DC | 10/14/26 |
| 1/5/27 | Committee on Rules of Practice & Procedure Meeting | Washington, DC | 12/29/26 |
| 4/6/27 | Advisory Committee on Civil Rules Meeting | New Orleans, LA | 3/30/27 |
| 4/7/27 | Advisory Committee on Bankruptcy Rules Meeting | New Orleans, LA | 3/31/27 |
| 4/8/27 | Advisory Committee on Appellate Rules Meeting | New Orleans, LA | 4/1/27 |
| 4/13/27 | Advisory Committee on Criminal Meeting | Washington, DC | 4/6/27 |
| 4/14/27 | Advisory Committee on Evidence Rules Meeting | Washington, DC | 4/7/27 |
| 6/8/27 - 6/9/27 | Committee on Rules of Practice & Procedure Meeting | Dallas, TX | 6/1/27 |
| 10/6/27 | Advisory Committee on Civil Rules Meeting | Washington, DC | 9/29/27 |
| 10/7/27 | Advisory Committee on Bankruptcy Rules Meeting | Washington, DC | 9/30/27 |
| 10/8/27 | Advisory Committee on Appellate Rules Meeting | Washington, DC | 10/1/27 |
| 11/2/27 | Advisory Committee on Criminal Rules Meeting | TBD | 10/26/27 |
| 11/3/27 | Advisory Committee on Evidence Rules Meeting | TBD | 10/27/27 |
Hearing Dates and Materials
Each August, proposed amendments to federal rules and forms are published for public comment. The public is encouraged to submit written comments and may also request to testify at public hearings on the proposals. Testimony and comments will be accepted only on the rules and forms that are presented for public comment. To recommend a change to a rule or form that is not published for comment, please visit suggesting a change.
Requests to testify at hearings must be received by December 8, 2026, regardless of the hearing date as noted in the Federal Register notice. Public hearings may be canceled or consolidated based on public interest.
Learn more information about all upcoming hearings in the Federal Register.
See Transcripts and Testimony for materials for upcoming or past hearings. Hearing materials—including schedules and witness information—are published approximately two weeks prior to each hearing date.
| Date | Committee | Location | Registration Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/25/27 (additional day on 2/1/27, if needed) | Advisory Committee on Appellate Rules | Virtual | 12/8/26 |
| 1/8/27 (additional day on 2/9/27, if needed) | Advisory Committee on Bankruptcy Rules | Virtual | 12/8/26 |
| 1/13/27 (additional day on 1/26/27, if needed) | Advisory Committee on Civil Rules | Virtual | 12/8/26 |
| 1/20/27 (additional day on 1/27/27, if needed) | Advisory Committee on Criminal Rules | Virtual | 12/8/26 |
| 1/11/27 (additional day on 1/28/27, if needed) | Advisory Committee on Evidence Rules | Virtual | 12/8/26 |
Please email RulesCommittee_Secretary@ao.uscourts.gov or call 202-502-1820 with questions.