Procedural Rules for Conducting Litigation in the United States

Procedural Rules for Conducting Litigation and the Federal Courts

In the words of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts: There are federal rules of evidence and procedural rules governing civil, criminal, bankruptcy, and appellate cases that must be followed in the federal courts. The rules are designed to promote simplicity, fairness, the just determination of litigation, and the elimination of unjustifiable expense and delay. Committees of judges, lawyers, and professors appointed by the Chief Justice draft the rules. The Administrative Office publishes the rules for public comment. Rules are approved by the Judicial Conference of the United States, and promulgated by the Supreme Court. The rules become law unless the Congress votes to reject or modify them.