Rule 83 — Rules by District Courts; Judge’s Directives

Fed. R. Civ. P. 83

• Source: Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
• Rule: 83
• TITLE XI: GENERAL PROVISIONS
• Citation: Fed. R. Civ. P. 83

Text

(a) LOCALRULES.
(1) In General. After giving public notice and an opportunity
for comment, a district court, acting by a majority of its dis-
trict judges, may adopt and amend rules governing its prac-
tice. A local rule must be consistent with—but not duplicate—
federal statutes and rules adopted under 28 U.S.C. §§2072 and
2075, and must conform to any uniform numbering system pre-
scribed by the Judicial Conference of the United States. A
local rule takes effect on the date specified by the district
court and remains in effect unless amended by the court or ab-
rogated by the judicial council of the circuit. Copies of rules

and amendments must, on their adoption, be furnished to the
judicial council and the Administrative Office of the United
States Courts and be made available to the public.
(2) Requirement of Form. A local rule imposing a requirement
of form must not be enforced in a way that causes a party to
lose any right because of a nonwillful failure to comply.
(b) PROCEDURE WHEN THERE IS NO CONTROLLING LAW. A judge
may regulate practice in any manner consistent with federal law,
rules adopted under 28 U.S.C. §§2072 and 2075, and the district’s
local rules. No sanction or other disadvantage may be imposed for
noncompliance with any requirement not in federal law, federal
rules, or the local rules unless the alleged violator has been fur-
nished in the particular case with actual notice of the require-
ment.

Advisory Committee Notes

(As amended Apr. 29, 1985, eff. Aug. 1, 1985; Apr. 27, 1995, eff. Dec. 1, 1995; Apr. 30, 2007, eff. Dec. 1, 2007.)