Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
Rule 87 — Civil Rules Emergency
Fed. R. Civ. P. 87
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Fed. R. Civ. P. 87.
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(a)CONDITIONS FOR AN EMERGENCY. The Judicial Conference of
the United States may declare a Civil Rules emergency if it deter-
mines that extraordinary circumstances relating to public health
or safety, or affecting physical or electronic access to a court,
substantially impair the court’s ability to perform its functions in
compliance with these rules.
(b)DECLARINGANEMERGENCY.
(1)Content. The declaration:
(A)must designate the court or courts affected;
(B)adopts all the emergency rules in Rule 87(c) unless it
excepts one or more of them; and
(C)must be limited to a stated period of no more than
90 days.
(2)Early Termination. The Judicial Conference may termi-
nate a declaration for one or more courts before the termi-
nation date.
(3)Additional Declarations. The Judicial Conferenc
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(a) CONDITIONS FOR AN EMERGENCY. The Judicial Conference of
the United States may declare a Civil Rules emergency if it deter-
mines that extraordinary circumstances relating to public health
or safety, or affecting physical or electronic access to a court,
substantially impair the court’s ability to perform its functions in
compliance with these rules.
(b) DECLARINGANEMERGENCY.
(1) Content. The declaration:
(A) must designate the court or courts affected;
(B) adopts all the emergency rules in Rule 87(c) unless it
excepts one or more of them; and
(C) must be limited to a stated period of no more than
90 days.
(2) Early Termination. The Judicial Conference may termi-
nate a declaration for one or more courts before the termi-
nation date.
(3) Additional Declarations. The Judicial Conference may
issue additional declarations under this rule.
(c) EMERGENCYRULES.
(1) Emergency Rules 4(e), (h)(1), (i), and (j)(2), and for serving
a minor or incompetent person. The court may by order author-
ize service on a defendant described in Rule 4(e), (h)(1), (i), or
(j)(2)—or on a minor or incompetent person in a judicial dis-
trict of the United States—by a method that is reasonably cal-
culated to give notice. A method of service may be completed
under the order after the declaration ends unless the court,
after notice and an opportunity to be heard, modifies or re-
scinds the order.
(2) Emergency Rule 6(b)(2).
(A) Extension of Time to File Certain Motions. A court may,
by order, apply Rule 6(b)(1)(A) to extend for a period of no
more than 30 days after entry of the order the time to act
under Rules 50(b) and (d), 52(b), 59(b), (d), and (e), and 60(b).
(B) Effect on Time to Appeal. Unless the time to appeal
would otherwise be longer:
(i) if the court denies an extension, the time to file
an appeal runs for all parties from the date the order
denying the motion to extend is entered;
(ii) if the court grants an extension, a motion au-
thorized by the court and filed within the extended pe-
riod is, for purposes of Appellate Rule 4(a)(4)(A), filed
‘‘within the time allowed by’’ the Federal Rules of
Civil Procedure; and
(iii) if the court grants an extension and no motion
authorized by the court is made within the extended
period, the time to file an appeal runs for all parties
from the expiration of the extended period.
(C) Declaration Ends. An act authorized by an order under
this emergency rule may be completed under the order
after the emergency declaration ends.
(As added Apr. 24, 2023, eff. Dec. 1, 2023.)
APPENDIX OF FORMS
[Abrogated (Apr. 29, 2015, eff. Dec. 1, 2015).]
Rule A FEDERAL RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE 104
SUPPLEMENTAL RULES FOR ADMIRALTY OR MARITIME
CLAIMS AND ASSET FORFEITURE ACTIONS1
Rule A. Scope of Rules
(1) These Supplemental Rules apply to:
(A) the procedure in admiralty and maritime claims within
the meaning of Rule 9(h) with respect to the following rem-
edies:
(i) maritime attachment and garnishment,
(ii) actions in rem,
(iii) possessory, petitory, and partition actions, and
(iv) actions for exoneration from or limitation of liabil-
ity;
(B) forfeiture actions in rem arising from a federal statute;
and
(C) the procedure in statutory condemnation proceedings
analogous to maritime actions in rem, whether within the ad-
miralty and maritime jurisdiction or not. Except as otherwise
provided, references in these Supplemental Rules to actions in
rem include such analogous statutory condemnation proceed-
ings.
(2) The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure also apply to the fore-
going proceedings except to the extent that they are inconsistent
with these Supplemental Rules.
(As added Feb. 28, 1966, eff. July 1, 1966; amended Apr. 12, 2006, eff.
Dec. 1, 2006.)
Rule B. In Personam Actions: Attachment and Garnishment
(1) WHEN AVAILABLE; COMPLAINT, AFFIDAVIT, JUDICIAL AUTHOR-
IZATION, ANDPROCESS. In an in personam action:
(a) If a defendant is not found within the district when a
verified complaint praying for attachment and the affidavit
required by Rule B(1)(b) are filed, a verified complaint may
contain a prayer for process to attach the defendant’s tangible
or intangible personal property—up to the amount sued for—
in the hands of garnishees named in the process.
(b) The plaintiff or the plaintiff’s attorney must sign and file
with the complaint an affidavit stating that, to the affiant’s
knowledge, or on information and belief, the defendant cannot
be found within the district. The court must review the com-
plaint and affidavit and, if the conditions of this Rule B ap-
pear to exist, enter an order so stating and authorizing process
of attachment and garnishment. The clerk may issue supple-
mental process enforcing the court’s order upon application
without further court order.
(c) If the plaintiff or the plaintiff’s attorney certifies that
exigent circumstances make court review impracticable, the
clerk must issue the summons and process of attachment and
garnishment. The plaintiff has the burden in any post-attach-
ment hearing under Rule E(4)(f) to show that exigent circum-
stances existed.
1Title amended April 12, 2006, effective December 1, 2006.
105 FEDERAL RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE Rule C
(d)(i) If the property is a vessel or tangible property on board
a vessel, the summons, process, and any supplemental process
must be delivered to the marshal for service.
(ii) If the property is other tangible or intangible property,
the summons, process, and any supplemental process must be
delivered to a person or organization authorized to serve it,
who may be (A) a marshal; (B) someone under contract with
the United States; (C) someone specially appointed by the
court for that purpose; or, (D) in an action brought by the
United States, any officer or employee of the United States.
(e) The plaintiff may invoke state-law remedies under Rule
64 for seizure of person or property for the purpose of securing
satisfaction of the judgment.
(2) NOTICE TO DEFENDANT. No default judgment may be entered
except upon proof—which may be by affidavit—that:
(a) the complaint, summons, and process of attachment or
garnishment have been served on the defendant in a manner
authorized by Rule 4;
(b) the plaintiff or the garnishee has mailed to the defendant
the complaint, summons, and process of attachment or gar-
nishment, using any form of mail requiring a return receipt;
or
(c) the plaintiff or the garnishee has tried diligently to give
notice of the action to the defendant but could not do so.
(3) ANSWER.
(a) By Garnishee. The garnishee shall serve an answer, to-
gether with answers to any interrogatories served with the
complaint, within 21 days after service of process upon the
garnishee. Interrogatories to the garnishee may be served with
the complaint without leave of court. If the garnishee refuses
or neglects to answer on oath as to the debts, credits, or ef-
fects of the defendant in the garnishee’s hands, or any inter-
rogatories concerning such debts, credits, and effects that may
be propounded by the plaintiff, the court may award compul-
sory process against the garnishee. If the garnishee admits
any debts, credits, or effects, they shall be held in the garnish-
ee’s hands or paid into the registry of the court, and shall be
held in either case subject to the further order of the court.
(b) By Defendant. The defendant shall serve an answer within
30 days after process has been executed, whether by attach-
ment of property or service on the garnishee.
(As added Feb. 28, 1966, eff. July 1, 1966; amended Apr. 29, 1985, eff.
Aug. 1, 1985; Mar. 2, 1987, eff. Aug. 1, 1987; Apr. 17, 2000, eff. Dec.
1, 2000; Apr. 25, 2005, eff. Dec. 1, 2005; Mar. 26, 2009, eff. Dec. 1, 2009.)
Rule C. In Rem Actions: Special Provisions
(1) WHENAVAILABLE. An action in rem may be brought:
(a) To enforce any maritime lien;
(b) Whenever a statute of the United States provides for a
maritime action in rem or a proceeding analogous thereto.
Except as otherwise provided by law a party who may proceed
in rem may also, or in the alternative, proceed in personam
against any person who may be liable.
Statutory provisions exempting vessels or other property owned
or possessed by or operated by or for the United States from arrest
Rule C FEDERAL RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE 106
or seizure are not affected by this rule. When a statute so pro-
vides, an action against the United States or an instrumentality
thereof may proceed on in rem principles.
(2) COMPLAINT. In an action in rem the complaint must:
(a) be verified;
(b) describe with reasonable particularity the property that
is the subject of the action; and
(c) state that the property is within the district or will be
within the district while the action is pending.
(3) JUDICIALAUTHORIZATIONANDPROCESS.
(a) Arrest Warrant.
(i) The court must review the complaint and any sup-
porting papers. If the conditions for an in rem action ap-
pear to exist, the court must issue an order directing the
clerk to issue a warrant for the arrest of the vessel or
other property that is the subject of the action.
(ii) If the plaintiff or the plaintiff’s attorney certifies
that exigent circumstances make court review impractica-
ble, the clerk must promptly issue a summons and a war-
rant for the arrest of the vessel or other property that is
the subject of the action. The plaintiff has the burden in
any post-arrest hearing under Rule E(4)(f) to show that ex-
igent circumstances existed.
(b) Service.
(i) If the property that is the subject of the action is a
vessel or tangible property on board a vessel, the warrant
and any supplemental process must be delivered to the
marshal for service.
(ii) If the property that is the subject of the action is
other property, tangible or intangible, the warrant and
any supplemental process must be delivered to a person or
organization authorized to enforce it, who may be: (A) a
marshal; (B) someone under contract with the United
States; (C) someone specially appointed by the court for
that purpose; or, (D) in an action brought by the United
States, any officer or employee of the United States.
(c) Deposit in Court. If the property that is the subject of the
action consists in whole or in part of freight, the proceeds of
property sold, or other intangible property, the clerk must
issue—in addition to the warrant—a summons directing any
person controlling the property to show cause why it should
not be deposited in court to abide the judgment.
(d) Supplemental Process. The clerk may upon application
issue supplemental process to enforce the court’s order with-
out further court order.
(4) NOTICE. No notice other than execution of process is required
when the property that is the subject of the action has been re-
leased under Rule E(5). If the property is not released within 14
days after execution, the plaintiff must promptly—or within the
time that the court allows—give public notice of the action and
arrest in a newspaper designated by court order and having gen-
eral circulation in the district, but publication may be terminated
if the property is released before publication is completed. The no-
tice must specify the time under Rule C(6) to file a statement of
interest in or right against the seized property and to answer.
107 FEDERAL RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE Rule D
This rule does not affect the notice requirements in an action to
foreclose a preferred ship mortgage under 46 U.S.C. §§31301 et seq.,
as amended.
(5) ANCILLARY PROCESS. In any action in rem in which process
has been served as provided by this rule, if any part of the prop-
erty that is the subject of the action has not been brought within
the control of the court because it has been removed or sold, or
because it is intangible property in the hands of a person who has
not been served with process, the court may, on motion, order any
person having possession or control of such property or its pro-
ceeds to show cause why it should not be delivered into the cus-
tody of the marshal or other person or organization having a war-
rant for the arrest of the property, or paid into court to abide the
judgment; and, after hearing, the court may enter such judgment
as law and justice may require.
(6) RESPONSIVEPLEADING; INTERROGATORIES.
(a) Statement of Interest; Answer. In an action in rem:
(i) a person who asserts a right of possession or any own-
ership interest in the property that is the subject of the
action must file a verified statement of right or interest:
(A) within 14 days after the execution of process, or
(B) within the time that the court allows;
(ii) the statement of right or interest must describe the
interest in the property that supports the person’s demand
for its restitution or right to defend the action;
(iii) an agent, bailee, or attorney must state the author-
ity to file a statement of right or interest on behalf of an-
other; and
(iv) a person who asserts a right of possession or any
ownership interest must serve an answer within 21 days
after filing the statement of interest or right.
(b) Interrogatories. Interrogatories may be served with the
complaint in an in rem action without leave of court. Answers
to the interrogatories must be served with the answer to the
complaint.
(As added Feb. 28, 1966, eff. July 1, 1966; amended Apr. 29, 1985, eff.
Aug. 1, 1985; Mar. 2, 1987, eff. Aug. 1, 1987; Apr. 30, 1991, eff. Dec.
1, 1991; Apr. 17, 2000, eff. Dec. 1, 2000; Apr. 29, 2002, eff. Dec. 1, 2002;
Apr. 25, 2005, eff. Dec. 1, 2005; Apr. 12, 2006, eff. Dec. 1, 2006; Apr.
23, 2008, eff. Dec. 1, 2008; Mar. 26, 2009, eff. Dec. 1, 2009.)
Rule D. Possessory, Petitory, and Partition Actions
In all actions for possession, partition, and to try title main-
tainable according to the course of the admiralty practice with re-
spect to a vessel, in all actions so maintainable with respect to
the possession of cargo or other maritime property, and in all ac-
tions by one or more part owners against the others to obtain se-
curity for the return of the vessel from any voyage undertaken
without their consent, or by one or more part owners against the
others to obtain possession of the vessel for any voyage on giving
security for its safe return, the process shall be by a warrant of
arrest of the vessel, cargo, or other property, and by notice in the
manner provided by Rule B(2) to the adverse party or parties.
(As added Feb. 28, 1966, eff. July 1, 1966.)
Rule E FEDERAL RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE 108
Rule E. Actions in Rem and Quasi in Rem: General Provisions
(1) APPLICABILITY. Except as otherwise provided, this rule ap-
plies to actions in personam with process of maritime attachment
and garnishment, actions in rem, and petitory, possessory, and
partition actions, supplementing Rules B, C, and D.
(2) COMPLAINT; SECURITY.
(a) Complaint. In actions to which this rule is applicable the
complaint shall state the circumstances from which the claim
arises with such particularity that the defendant or claimant
will be able, without moving for a more definite statement, to
commence an investigation of the facts and to frame a respon-
sive pleading.
(b) Security for Costs. Subject to the provisions of Rule 54(d)
and of relevant statutes, the court may, on the filing of the
complaint or on the appearance of any defendant, claimant, or
any other party, or at any later time, require the plaintiff, de-
fendant, claimant, or other party to give security, or addi-
tional security, in such sum as the court shall direct to pay
all costs and expenses that shall be awarded against the party
by any interlocutory order or by the final judgment, or on ap-
peal by any appellate court.
(3) PROCESS.
(a) In admiralty and maritime proceedings process in rem or
of maritime attachment and garnishment may be served only
within the district.
(b) Issuance and Delivery. Issuance and delivery of process in
rem, or of maritime attachment and garnishment, shall be
held in abeyance if the plaintiff so requests.
(4) EXECUTION OF PROCESS; MARSHAL’S RETURN; CUSTODY OF
PROPERTY; PROCEDURESFORRELEASE.
(a) In General. Upon issuance and delivery of the process, or,
in the case of summons with process of attachment and gar-
nishment, when it appears that the defendant cannot be found
within the district, the marshal or other person or organiza-
tion having a warrant shall forthwith execute the process in
accordance with this subdivision (4), making due and prompt
return.
(b) Tangible Property. If tangible property is to be attached
or arrested, the marshal or other person or organization hav-
ing the warrant shall take it into the marshal’s possession for
safe custody. If the character or situation of the property is
such that the taking of actual possession is impracticable, the
marshal or other person executing the process shall affix a
copy thereof to the property in a conspicuous place and leave
a copy of the complaint and process with the person having
possession or the person’s agent. In furtherance of the mar-
shal’s custody of any vessel the marshal is authorized to make
a written request to the collector of customs not to grant
clearance to such vessel until notified by the marshal or dep-
uty marshal or by the clerk that the vessel has been released
in accordance with these rules.
(c) Intangible Property. If intangible property is to be at-
tached or arrested the marshal or other person or organization
having the warrant shall execute the process by leaving with
109 FEDERAL RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE Rule E
the garnishee or other obligor a copy of the complaint and
process requiring the garnishee or other obligor to answer as
provided in Rules B(3)(a) and C(6); or the marshal may accept
for payment into the registry of the court the amount owed to
the extent of the amount claimed by the plaintiff with inter-
est and costs, in which event the garnishee or other obligor
shall not be required to answer unless alias process shall be
served.
(d) Directions With Respect to Property in Custody. The mar-
shal or other person or organization having the warrant may
at any time apply to the court for directions with respect to
property that has been attached or arrested, and shall give no-
tice of such application to any or all of the parties as the
court may direct.
(e) Expenses of Seizing and Keeping Property; Deposit. These
rules do not alter the provisions of Title 28, U.S.C., §1921, as
amended, relative to the expenses of seizing and keeping prop-
erty attached or arrested and to the requirement of deposits
to cover such expenses.
(f) Procedure for Release From Arrest or Attachment. Whenever
property is arrested or attached, any person claiming an inter-
est in it shall be entitled to a prompt hearing at which the
plaintiff shall be required to show why the arrest or attach-
ment should not be vacated or other relief granted consistent
with these rules. This subdivision shall have no application to
suits for seamen’s wages when process is issued upon a certifi-
cation of sufficient cause filed pursuant to Title 46, U.S.C.
§§603 and 6042or to actions by the United States for forfeitures
for violation of any statute of the United States.
(5) RELEASEOFPROPERTY.
(a) Special Bond. Whenever process of maritime attachment
and garnishment or process in rem is issued the execution of
such process shall be stayed, or the property released, on the
giving of security, to be approved by the court or clerk, or by
stipulation of the parties, conditioned to answer the judgment
of the court or of any appellate court. The parties may stipu-
late the amount and nature of such security. In the event of
the inability or refusal of the parties so to stipulate the court
shall fix the principal sum of the bond or stipulation at an
amount sufficient to cover the amount of the plaintiff’s claim
fairly stated with accrued interest and costs; but the principal
sum shall in no event exceed (i) twice the amount of the plain-
tiff’s claim or (ii) the value of the property on due appraise-
ment, whichever is smaller. The bond or stipulation shall be
conditioned for the payment of the principal sum and interest
thereon at 6 per cent per annum.
(b) General Bond. The owner of any vessel may file a general
bond or stipulation, with sufficient surety, to be approved by
the court, conditioned to answer the judgment of such court
in all or any actions that may be brought thereafter in such
court in which the vessel is attached or arrested. Thereupon
the execution of all such process against such vessel shall be
2Repealed by Pub. L. 98–89, §4(b), Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 600, section 1 of which enacted Title 46,
Shipping.
Rule E FEDERAL RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE 110
stayed so long as the amount secured by such bond or stipula-
tion is at least double the aggregate amount claimed by plain-
tiffs in all actions begun and pending in which such vessel has
been attached or arrested. Judgments and remedies may be
had on such bond or stipulation as if a special bond or stipula-
tion had been filed in each of such actions. The district court
may make necessary orders to carry this rule into effect, par-
ticularly as to the giving of proper notice of any action
against or attachment of a vessel for which a general bond has
been filed. Such bond or stipulation shall be indorsed by the
clerk with a minute of the actions wherein process is so
stayed. Further security may be required by the court at any
time.
If a special bond or stipulation is given in a particular case,
the liability on the general bond or stipulation shall cease as
to that case.
(c) Release by Consent or Stipulation; Order of Court or Clerk;
Costs. Any vessel, cargo, or other property in the custody of
the marshal or other person or organization having the war-
rant may be released forthwith upon the marshal’s acceptance
and approval of a stipulation, bond, or other security, signed
by the party on whose behalf the property is detained or the
party’s attorney and expressly authorizing such release, if all
costs and charges of the court and its officers shall have first
been paid. Otherwise no property in the custody of the mar-
shal, other person or organization having the warrant, or
other officer of the court shall be released without an order of
the court; but such order may be entered as of course by the
clerk, upon the giving of approved security as provided by law
and these rules, or upon the dismissal or discontinuance of the
action; but the marshal or other person or organization having
the warrant shall not deliver any property so released until
the costs and charges of the officers of the court shall first
have been paid.
(d) Possessory, Petitory, and Partition Actions. The foregoing
provisions of this subdivision (5) do not apply to petitory, pos-
sessory, and partition actions. In such cases the property ar-
rested shall be released only by order of the court, on such
terms and conditions and on the giving of such security as the
court may require.
(6) REDUCTION OR IMPAIRMENT OF SECURITY. Whenever security is
taken the court may, on motion and hearing, for good cause
shown, reduce the amount of security given; and if the surety
shall be or become insufficient, new or additional sureties may be
required on motion and hearing.
(7) SECURITYONCOUNTERCLAIM.
(a) When a person who has given security for damages in the
original action asserts a counterclaim that arises from the
transaction or occurrence that is the subject of the original
action, a plaintiff for whose benefit the security has been
given must give security for damages demanded in the coun-
terclaim unless the court, for cause shown, directs otherwise.
Proceedings on the original claim must be stayed until this se-
curity is given, unless the court directs otherwise.
111 FEDERAL RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE Rule F
(b) The plaintiff is required to give security under Rule
E(7)(a) when the United States or its corporate instrumental-
ity counterclaims and would have been required to give secu-
rity to respond in damages if a private party but is relieved by
law from giving security.
(8) RESTRICTED APPEARANCE. An appearance to defend against an
admiralty and maritime claim with respect to which there has is-
sued process in rem, or process of attachment and garnishment,
may be expressly restricted to the defense of such claim, and in
that event is not an appearance for the purposes of any other
claim with respect to which such process is not available or has
not been served.
(9) DISPOSITIONOFPROPERTY; SALES.
(a) Interlocutory Sales; Delivery.
(i) On application of a party, the marshal, or other per-
son having custody of the property, the court may order
all or part of the property sold—with the sales proceeds, or
as much of them as will satisfy the judgment, paid into
court to await further orders of the court—if:
(A) the attached or arrested property is perishable,
or liable to deterioration, decay, or injury by being de-
tained in custody pending the action;
(B) the expense of keeping the property is excessive
or disproportionate; or
(C) there is an unreasonable delay in securing release
of the property.
(ii) In the circumstances described in Rule E(9)(a)(i), the
court, on motion by a defendant or a person filing a state-
ment of interest or right under Rule C(6), may order that
the property, rather than being sold, be delivered to the
movant upon giving security under these rules.
(b) Sales, Proceeds. All sales of property shall be made by the
marshal or a deputy marshal, or by other person or organiza-
tion having the warrant, or by any other person assigned by
the court where the marshal or other person or organization
having the warrant is a party in interest; and the proceeds of
sale shall be forthwith paid into the registry of the court to
be disposed of according to law.
(10) PRESERVATIONOFPROPERTY. When the owner or another per-
son remains in possession of property attached or arrested under
the provisions of Rule E(4)(b) that permit execution of process
without taking actual possession, the court, on a party’s motion
or on its own, may enter any order necessary to preserve the prop-
erty and to prevent its removal.
(As added Feb. 28, 1966, eff. July 1, 1966; amended Apr. 29, 1985, eff.
Aug. 1, 1985; Mar. 2, 1987, eff. Aug. 1, 1987; Apr. 30, 1991, eff. Dec.
1, 1991; Apr. 17, 2000, eff. Dec. 1, 2000; Apr. 12, 2006, eff. Dec. 1, 2006.)
Rule F. Limitation of Liability
(1) TIME FOR FILING COMPLAINT; SECURITY. Not later than six
months after receipt of a claim in writing, any vessel owner may
file a complaint in the appropriate district court, as provided in
subdivision (9) of this rule, for limitation of liability pursuant to
statute. The owner (a) shall deposit with the court, for the benefit
Rule F FEDERAL RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE 112
of claimants, a sum equal to the amount or value of the owner’s
interest in the vessel and pending freight, or approved security
therefor, and in addition such sums, or approved security therefor,
as the court may from time to time fix as necessary to carry out
the provisions of the statutes as amended; or (b) at the owner’s op-
tion shall transfer to a trustee to be appointed by the court, for
the benefit of claimants, the owner’s interest in the vessel and
pending freight, together with such sums, or approved security
therefor, as the court may from time to time fix as necessary to
carry out the provisions of the statutes as amended. The plaintiff
shall also give security for costs and, if the plaintiff elects to give
security, for interest at the rate of 6 percent per annum from the
date of the security.
(2) COMPLAINT. The complaint shall set forth the facts on the
basis of which the right to limit liability is asserted and all facts
necessary to enable the court to determine the amount to which
the owner’s liability shall be limited. The complaint may demand
exoneration from as well as limitation of liability. It shall state
the voyage if any, on which the demands sought to be limited
arose, with the date and place of its termination; the amount of
all demands including all unsatisfied liens or claims of lien, in
contract or in tort or otherwise, arising on that voyage, so far as
known to the plaintiff, and what actions and proceedings, if any,
are pending thereon; whether the vessel was damaged, lost, or
abandoned, and, if so, when and where; the value of the vessel at
the close of the voyage or, in case of wreck, the value of her
wreckage, strippings, or proceeds, if any, and where and in whose
possession they are; and the amount of any pending freight recov-
ered or recoverable. If the plaintiff elects to transfer the plain-
tiff’s interest in the vessel to a trustee, the complaint must fur-
ther show any prior paramount liens thereon, and what voyages or
trips, if any, she has made since the voyage or trip on which the
claims sought to be limited arose, and any existing liens arising
upon any such subsequent voyage or trip, with the amounts and
causes thereof, and the names and addresses of the lienors, so far
as known; and whether the vessel sustained any injury upon or by
reason of such subsequent voyage or trip.
(3) CLAIMS AGAINST OWNER; INJUNCTION. Upon compliance by the
owner with the requirements of subdivision (1) of this rule all
claims and proceedings against the owner or the owner’s property
with respect to the matter in question shall cease. On application
of the plaintiff the court shall enjoin the further prosecution of
any action or proceeding against the plaintiff or the plaintiff’s
property with respect to any claim subject to limitation in the ac-
tion.
(4) NOTICE TO CLAIMANTS. Upon the owner’s compliance with sub-
division (1) of this rule the court shall issue a notice to all persons
asserting claims with respect to which the complaint seeks limi-
tation, admonishing them to file their respective claims with the
clerk of the court and to serve on the attorneys for the plaintiff
a copy thereof on or before a date to be named in the notice. The
date so fixed shall not be less than 30 days after issuance of the
notice. For cause shown, the court may enlarge the time within
which claims may be filed. The notice shall be published in such
newspaper or newspapers as the court may direct once a week for
113 FEDERAL RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE Rule F
four successive weeks prior to the date fixed for the filing of
claims. The plaintiff not later than the day of second publication
shall also mail a copy of the notice to every person known to have
made any claim against the vessel or the plaintiff arising out of
the voyage or trip on which the claims sought to be limited arose.
In cases involving death a copy of such notice shall be mailed to
the decedent at the decedent’s last known address, and also to any
person who shall be known to have made any claim on account of
such death.
(5) CLAIMS AND ANSWER. Claims shall be filed and served on or
before the date specified in the notice provided for in subdivision
(4) of this rule. Each claim shall specify the facts upon which the
claimant relies in support of the claim, the items thereof, and the
dates on which the same accrued. If a claimant desires to contest
either the right to exoneration from or the right to limitation of
liability the claimant shall file and serve an answer to the com-
plaint unless the claim has included an answer.
(6) INFORMATION TO BE GIVEN CLAIMANTS. Within 30 days after
the date specified in the notice for filing claims, or within such
time as the court thereafter may allow, the plaintiff shall mail to
the attorney for each claimant (or if the claimant has no attorney
to the claimant) a list setting forth (a) the name of each claimant,
(b) the name and address of the claimant’s attorney (if the claim-
ant is known to have one), (c) the nature of the claim, i.e., wheth-
er property loss, property damage, death, personal injury etc., and
(d) the amount thereof.
(7) INSUFFICIENCY OF FUND OR SECURITY. Any claimant may by
motion demand that the funds deposited in court or the security
given by the plaintiff be increased on the ground that they are
less than the value of the plaintiff’s interest in the vessel and
pending freight. Thereupon the court shall cause due appraise-
ment to be made of the value of the plaintiff’s interest in the ves-
sel and pending freight; and if the court finds that the deposit or
security is either insufficient or excessive it shall order its in-
crease or reduction. In like manner any claimant may demand
that the deposit or security be increased on the ground that it is
insufficient to carry out the provisions of the statutes relating to
claims in respect of loss of life or bodily injury; and, after notice
and hearing, the court may similarly order that the deposit or se-
curity be increased or reduced.
(8) OBJECTIONS TO CLAIMS: DISTRIBUTION OF FUND. Any interested
party may question or controvert any claim without filing an ob-
jection thereto. Upon determination of liability the fund depos-
ited or secured, or the proceeds of the vessel and pending freight,
shall be divided pro rata, subject to all relevant provisions of law,
among the several claimants in proportion to the amounts of their
respective claims, duly proved, saving, however, to all parties any
priority to which they may be legally entitled.
(9) VENUE; TRANSFER. The complaint shall be filed in any dis-
trict in which the vessel has been attached or arrested to answer
for any claim with respect to which the plaintiff seeks to limit li-
ability; or, if the vessel has not been attached or arrested, then in
any district in which the owner has been sued with respect to any
such claim. When the vessel has not been attached or arrested to
answer the matters aforesaid, and suit has not been commenced
Rule G FEDERAL RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE 114
against the owner, the proceedings may be had in the district in
which the vessel may be, but if the vessel is not within any dis-
trict and no suit has been commenced in any district, then the
complaint may be filed in any district. For the convenience of
parties and witnesses, in the interest of justice, the court may
transfer the action to any district; if venue is wrongly laid the
court shall dismiss or, if it be in the interest of justice, transfer
the action to any district in which it could have been brought. If
the vessel shall have been sold, the proceeds shall represent the
vessel for the purposes of these rules.
(As added Feb. 28, 1966, eff. July 1, 1966; amended Mar. 2, 1987, eff.
Aug. 1, 1987.)
Rule G. Forfeiture Actions In Rem
(1) SCOPE. This rule governs a forfeiture action in rem arising
from a federal statute. To the extent that this rule does not ad-
dress an issue, Supplemental Rules C and E and the Federal Rules
of Civil Procedure also apply.
(2) COMPLAINT. The complaint must:
(a) be verified;
(b) state the grounds for subject-matter jurisdiction, in rem
jurisdiction over the defendant property, and venue;
(c) describe the property with reasonable particularity;
(d) if the property is tangible, state its location when any
seizure occurred and—if different—its location when the ac-
tion is filed;
(e) identify the statute under which the forfeiture action is
brought; and
(f) state sufficiently detailed facts to support a reasonable
belief that the government will be able to meet its burden of
proof at trial.
(3) JUDICIALAUTHORIZATIONANDPROCESS.
(a) Real Property. If the defendant is real property, the gov-
ernment must proceed under 18 U.S.C. §985.
(b) Other Property; Arrest Warrant. If the defendant is not real
property:
(i) the clerk must issue a warrant to arrest the property
if it is in the government’s possession, custody, or control;
(ii) the court—on finding probable cause—must issue a
warrant to arrest the property if it is not in the govern-
ment’s possession, custody, or control and is not subject to
a judicial restraining order; and
(iii) a warrant is not necessary if the property is subject
to a judicial restraining order.
(c) Execution of Process.
(i) The warrant and any supplemental process must be
delivered to a person or organization authorized to execute
it, who may be: (A) a marshal or any other United States
officer or employee; (B) someone under contact with the
United States; or (C) someone specially appointed by the
court for that purpose.
(ii) The authorized person or organization must execute
the warrant and any supplemental process on property in
the United States as soon as practicable unless:
115 FEDERAL RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE Rule G
(A) the property is in the government’s possession,
custody, or control; or
(B) the court orders a different time when the com-
plaint is under seal, the action is stayed before the
warrant and supplemental process are executed, or the
court finds other good cause.
(iii) The warrant and any supplemental process may be
executed within the district or, when authorized by stat-
ute, outside the district.
(iv) If executing a warrant on property outside the
United States is required, the warrant may be transmitted
to an appropriate authority for serving process where the
property is located.
(4) NOTICE.
(a) Notice by Publication.
(i) When Publication Is Required. A judgment of forfeit-
ure may be entered only if the government has published
notice of the action within a reasonable time after filing
the complaint or at a time the court orders. But notice
need not be published if:
(A) the defendant property is worth less than $1,000
and direct notice is sent under Rule G(4)(b) to every
person the government can reasonably identify as a po-
tential claimant; or
(B) the court finds that the cost of publication ex-
ceeds the property’s value and that other means of no-
tice would satisfy due process.
(ii) Content of the Notice. Unless the court orders other-
wise, the notice must:
(A) describe the property with reasonable particular-
ity;
(B) state the times under Rule G(5) to file a claim
and to answer; and
(C) name the government attorney to be served with
the claim and answer.
(iii) Frequency of Publication. Published notice must ap-
pear:
(A) once a week for three consecutive weeks; or
(B) only once if, before the action was filed, notice of
nonjudicial forfeiture of the same property was pub-
lished on an official internet government forfeiture
site for at least 30 consecutive days, or in a newspaper
of general circulation for three consecutive weeks in a
district where publication is authorized under Rule
G(4)(a)(iv).
(iv) Means of Publication. The government should select
from the following options a means of publication reason-
ably calculated to notify potential claimants of the action:
(A) if the property is in the United States, publica-
tion in a newspaper generally circulated in the district
where the action is filed, where the property was
seized, or where property that was not seized is lo-
cated;
Rule G FEDERAL RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE 116
(B) if the property is outside the United States, pub-
lication in a newspaper generally circulated in a dis-
trict where the action is filed, in a newspaper gener-
ally circulated in the country where the property is lo-
cated, or in legal notices published and generally cir-
culated in the country where the property is located;
or
(C) instead of (A) or (B), posting a notice on an offi-
cial internet government forfeiture site for at least 30
consecutive days.
(b) Notice to Known Potential Claimants.
(i) Direct Notice Required. The government must send
notice of the action and a copy of the complaint to any
person who reasonably appears to be a potential claimant
on the facts known to the government before the end of
the time for filing a claim under Rule G(5)(a)(ii)(B).
(ii) Content of the Notice. The notice must state:
(A) the date when the notice is sent;
(B) a deadline for filing a claim, at least 35 days after
the notice is sent;
(C) that an answer or a motion under Rule 12 must
be filed no later than 21 days after filing the claim; and
(D) the name of the government attorney to be
served with the claim and answer.
(iii) Sending Notice.
(A) The notice must be sent by means reasonably cal-
culated to reach the potential claimant.
(B) Notice may be sent to the potential claimant or
to the attorney representing the potential claimant
with respect to the seizure of the property or in a re-
lated investigation, administrative forfeiture proceed-
ing, or criminal case.
(C) Notice sent to a potential claimant who is incar-
cerated must be sent to the place of incarceration.
(D) Notice to a person arrested in connection with an
offense giving rise to the forfeiture who is not incar-
cerated when notice is sent may be sent to the address
that person last gave to the agency that arrested or re-
leased the person.
(E) Notice to a person from whom the property was
seized who is not incarcerated when notice is sent may
be sent to the last address that person gave to the
agency that seized the property.
(iv) When Notice Is Sent. Notice by the following means
is sent on the date when it is placed in the mail, delivered
to a commercial carrier, or sent by electronic mail.
(v) Actual Notice. A potential claimant who had actual
notice of a forfeiture action may not oppose or seek relief
from forfeiture because of the government’s failure to send
the required notice.
(5) RESPONSIVEPLEADINGS.
(a) Filing a Claim.
(i) A person who asserts an interest in the defendant
property may contest the forfeiture by filing a claim in
the court where the action is pending. The claim must:
117 FEDERAL RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE Rule G
(A) identify the specific property claimed;
(B) identify the claimant and state the claimant’s in-
terest in the property;
(C) be signed by the claimant under penalty of per-
jury; and
(D) be served on the government attorney designated
under Rule G(4)(a)(ii)(C) or (b)(ii)(D).
(ii) Unless the court for good cause sets a different time,
the claim must be filed:
(A) by the time stated in a direct notice sent under
Rule G(4)(b);
(B) if notice was published but direct notice was not
sent to the claimant or the claimant’s attorney, no
later than 30 days after final publication of newspaper
notice or legal notice under Rule G(4)(a) or no later
than 60 days after the first day of publication on an of-
ficial internet government forfeiture site; or
(C) if notice was not published and direct notice was
not sent to the claimant or the claimant’s attorney:
(1) if the property was in the government’s pos-
session, custody, or control when the complaint
was filed, no later than 60 days after the filing, not
counting any time when the complaint was under
seal or when the action was stayed before execu-
tion of a warrant issued under Rule G(3)(b); or
(2) if the property was not in the government’s
possession, custody, or control when the complaint
was filed, no later than 60 days after the govern-
ment complied with 18 U.S.C. §985(c) as to real
property, or 60 days after process was executed on
the property under Rule G(3).
(iii) A claim filed by a person asserting an interest as a
bailee must identify the bailor, and if filed on the bailor’s
behalf must state the authority to do so.
(b) Answer. A claimant must serve and file an answer to the
complaint or a motion under Rule 12 within 21 days after filing
the claim. A claimant waives an objection to in rem jurisdic-
tion or to venue if the objection is not made by motion or
stated in the answer.
(6) SPECIALINTERROGATORIES.
(a) Time and Scope. The government may serve special inter-
rogatories limited to the claimant’s identity and relationship
to the defendant property without the court’s leave at any
time after the claim is filed and before discovery is closed. But
if the claimant serves a motion to dismiss the action, the gov-
ernment must serve the interrogatories within 21 days after
the motion is served.
(b) Answers or Objections. Answers or objections to these in-
terrogatories must be served within 21 days after the interrog-
atories are served.
(c) Government’s Response Deferred. The government need not
respond to a claimant’s motion to dismiss the action under
Rule G(8)(b) until 21 days after the claimant has answered
these interrogatories.
Rule G FEDERAL RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE 118
(7) PRESERVING, PREVENTING CRIMINAL USE, AND DISPOSING OF
PROPERTY; SALES.
(a) Preserving and Preventing Criminal Use of Property. When
the government does not have actual possession of the defend-
ant property the court, on motion or on its own, may enter
any order necessary to preserve the property, to prevent its re-
moval or encumbrance, or to prevent its use in a criminal of-
fense.
(b) Interlocutory Sale or Delivery.
(i) Order to Sell. On motion by a party or a person hav-
ing custody of the property, the court may order all or
part of the property sold if:
(A) the property is perishable or at risk of deteriora-
tion, decay, or injury by being detained in custody
pending the action;
(B) the expense of keeping the property is excessive
or is disproportionate to its fair market value;
(C) the property is subject to a mortgage or to taxes
on which the owner is in default; or
(D) the court finds other good cause.
(ii) Who Makes the Sale. A sale must be made by a
United States agency that has authority to sell the prop-
erty, by the agency’s contractor, or by any person the
court designates.
(iii) Sale Procedures. The sale is governed by 28 U.S.C.
§§2001, 2002, and 2004, unless all parties, with the court’s
approval, agree to the sale, aspects of the sale, or different
procedures.
(iv) Sale Proceeds. Sale proceeds are a substitute res
subject to forfeiture in place of the property that was sold.
The proceeds must be held in an interest-bearing account
maintained by the United States pending the conclusion of
the forfeiture action.
(v) Delivery on a Claimant’s Motion. The court may
order that the property be delivered to the claimant pend-
ing the conclusion of the action if the claimant shows cir-
cumstances that would permit sale under Rule G(7)(b)(i)
and gives security under these rules.
(c) Disposing of Forfeited Property. Upon entry of a forfeiture
judgment, the property or proceeds from selling the property
must be disposed of as provided by law.
(8) MOTIONS.
(a) Motion To Suppress Use of the Property as Evidence. If the
defendant property was seized, a party with standing to con-
test the lawfulness of the seizure may move to suppress use of
the property as evidence. Suppression does not affect forfeit-
ure of the property based on independently derived evidence.
(b) Motion To Dismiss the Action.
(i) A claimant who establishes standing to contest for-
feiture may move to dismiss the action under Rule 12(b).
(ii) In an action governed by 18 U.S.C. §983(a)(3)(D) the
complaint may not be dismissed on the ground that the
government did not have adequate evidence at the time
the complaint was filed to establish the forfeitability of
the property. The sufficiency of the complaint is governed
by Rule G(2).
(c) Motion To Strike a Claim or Answer.
(i) At any time before trial, the government may move
to strike a claim or answer:
(A) for failing to comply with Rule G(5) or (6), or
(B) because the claimant lacks standing.
(ii) The motion:
(A) must be decided before any motion by the claim-
ant to dismiss the action; and
(B) may be presented as a motion for judgment on
the pleadings or as a motion to determine after a hear-
ing or by summary judgment whether the claimant can
carry the burden of establishing standing by a prepon-
derance of the evidence.
(d) Petition To Release Property.
(i) If a United States agency or an agency’s contractor
holds property for judicial or nonjudicial forfeiture under
a statute governed by 18 U.S.C. §983(f), a person who has
filed a claim to the property may petition for its release
under §983(f).
(ii) If a petition for release is filed before a judicial for-
feiture action is filed against the property, the petition
may be filed either in the district where the property was
seized or in the district where a warrant to seize the prop-
erty issued. If a judicial forfeiture action against the prop-
erty is later filed in another district—or if the government
shows that the action will be filed in another district—the
petition may be transferred to that district under 28 U.S.C.
§1404.
(e) Excessive Fines. A claimant may seek to mitigate a for-
feiture under the Excessive Fines Clause of the Eighth Amend-
ment by motion for summary judgment or by motion made
after entry of a forfeiture judgment if:
(i) the claimant has pleaded the defense under Rule 8;
and
(ii) the parties have had the opportunity to conduct civil
discovery on the defense.
(9) TRIAL. Trial is to the court unless any party demands trial
by jury under Rule 38.
the United States may declare a Civil Rules emergency if it deter-
mines that extraordinary circumstances relating to public health
or safety, or affecting physical or electronic access to a court,
substantially impair the court’s ability to perform its functions in
compliance with these rules.
(b) DECLARINGANEMERGENCY.
(1) Content. The declaration:
(A) must designate the court or courts affected;
(B) adopts all the emergency rules in Rule 87(c) unless it
excepts one or more of them; and
(C) must be limited to a stated period of no more than
90 days.
(2) Early Termination. The Judicial Conference may termi-
nate a declaration for one or more courts before the termi-
nation date.
(3) Additional Declarations. The Judicial Conference may
issue additional declarations under this rule.
(c) EMERGENCYRULES.
(1) Emergency Rules 4(e), (h)(1), (i), and (j)(2), and for serving
a minor or incompetent person. The court may by order author-
ize service on a defendant described in Rule 4(e), (h)(1), (i), or
(j)(2)—or on a minor or incompetent person in a judicial dis-
trict of the United States—by a method that is reasonably cal-
culated to give notice. A method of service may be completed
under the order after the declaration ends unless the court,
after notice and an opportunity to be heard, modifies or re-
scinds the order.
(2) Emergency Rule 6(b)(2).
(A) Extension of Time to File Certain Motions. A court may,
by order, apply Rule 6(b)(1)(A) to extend for a period of no
more than 30 days after entry of the order the time to act
under Rules 50(b) and (d), 52(b), 59(b), (d), and (e), and 60(b).
(B) Effect on Time to Appeal. Unless the time to appeal
would otherwise be longer:
(i) if the court denies an extension, the time to file
an appeal runs for all parties from the date the order
denying the motion to extend is entered;
(ii) if the court grants an extension, a motion au-
thorized by the court and filed within the extended pe-
riod is, for purposes of Appellate Rule 4(a)(4)(A), filed
‘‘within the time allowed by’’ the Federal Rules of
Civil Procedure; and
(iii) if the court grants an extension and no motion
authorized by the court is made within the extended
period, the time to file an appeal runs for all parties
from the expiration of the extended period.
(C) Declaration Ends. An act authorized by an order under
this emergency rule may be completed under the order
after the emergency declaration ends.
(As added Apr. 24, 2023, eff. Dec. 1, 2023.)
APPENDIX OF FORMS
[Abrogated (Apr. 29, 2015, eff. Dec. 1, 2015).]
Rule A FEDERAL RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE 104
SUPPLEMENTAL RULES FOR ADMIRALTY OR MARITIME
CLAIMS AND ASSET FORFEITURE ACTIONS1
Rule A. Scope of Rules
(1) These Supplemental Rules apply to:
(A) the procedure in admiralty and maritime claims within
the meaning of Rule 9(h) with respect to the following rem-
edies:
(i) maritime attachment and garnishment,
(ii) actions in rem,
(iii) possessory, petitory, and partition actions, and
(iv) actions for exoneration from or limitation of liabil-
ity;
(B) forfeiture actions in rem arising from a federal statute;
and
(C) the procedure in statutory condemnation proceedings
analogous to maritime actions in rem, whether within the ad-
miralty and maritime jurisdiction or not. Except as otherwise
provided, references in these Supplemental Rules to actions in
rem include such analogous statutory condemnation proceed-
ings.
(2) The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure also apply to the fore-
going proceedings except to the extent that they are inconsistent
with these Supplemental Rules.
(As added Feb. 28, 1966, eff. July 1, 1966; amended Apr. 12, 2006, eff.
Dec. 1, 2006.)
Rule B. In Personam Actions: Attachment and Garnishment
(1) WHEN AVAILABLE; COMPLAINT, AFFIDAVIT, JUDICIAL AUTHOR-
IZATION, ANDPROCESS. In an in personam action:
(a) If a defendant is not found within the district when a
verified complaint praying for attachment and the affidavit
required by Rule B(1)(b) are filed, a verified complaint may
contain a prayer for process to attach the defendant’s tangible
or intangible personal property—up to the amount sued for—
in the hands of garnishees named in the process.
(b) The plaintiff or the plaintiff’s attorney must sign and file
with the complaint an affidavit stating that, to the affiant’s
knowledge, or on information and belief, the defendant cannot
be found within the district. The court must review the com-
plaint and affidavit and, if the conditions of this Rule B ap-
pear to exist, enter an order so stating and authorizing process
of attachment and garnishment. The clerk may issue supple-
mental process enforcing the court’s order upon application
without further court order.
(c) If the plaintiff or the plaintiff’s attorney certifies that
exigent circumstances make court review impracticable, the
clerk must issue the summons and process of attachment and
garnishment. The plaintiff has the burden in any post-attach-
ment hearing under Rule E(4)(f) to show that exigent circum-
stances existed.
1Title amended April 12, 2006, effective December 1, 2006.
105 FEDERAL RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE Rule C
(d)(i) If the property is a vessel or tangible property on board
a vessel, the summons, process, and any supplemental process
must be delivered to the marshal for service.
(ii) If the property is other tangible or intangible property,
the summons, process, and any supplemental process must be
delivered to a person or organization authorized to serve it,
who may be (A) a marshal; (B) someone under contract with
the United States; (C) someone specially appointed by the
court for that purpose; or, (D) in an action brought by the
United States, any officer or employee of the United States.
(e) The plaintiff may invoke state-law remedies under Rule
64 for seizure of person or property for the purpose of securing
satisfaction of the judgment.
(2) NOTICE TO DEFENDANT. No default judgment may be entered
except upon proof—which may be by affidavit—that:
(a) the complaint, summons, and process of attachment or
garnishment have been served on the defendant in a manner
authorized by Rule 4;
(b) the plaintiff or the garnishee has mailed to the defendant
the complaint, summons, and process of attachment or gar-
nishment, using any form of mail requiring a return receipt;
or
(c) the plaintiff or the garnishee has tried diligently to give
notice of the action to the defendant but could not do so.
(3) ANSWER.
(a) By Garnishee. The garnishee shall serve an answer, to-
gether with answers to any interrogatories served with the
complaint, within 21 days after service of process upon the
garnishee. Interrogatories to the garnishee may be served with
the complaint without leave of court. If the garnishee refuses
or neglects to answer on oath as to the debts, credits, or ef-
fects of the defendant in the garnishee’s hands, or any inter-
rogatories concerning such debts, credits, and effects that may
be propounded by the plaintiff, the court may award compul-
sory process against the garnishee. If the garnishee admits
any debts, credits, or effects, they shall be held in the garnish-
ee’s hands or paid into the registry of the court, and shall be
held in either case subject to the further order of the court.
(b) By Defendant. The defendant shall serve an answer within
30 days after process has been executed, whether by attach-
ment of property or service on the garnishee.
(As added Feb. 28, 1966, eff. July 1, 1966; amended Apr. 29, 1985, eff.
Aug. 1, 1985; Mar. 2, 1987, eff. Aug. 1, 1987; Apr. 17, 2000, eff. Dec.
1, 2000; Apr. 25, 2005, eff. Dec. 1, 2005; Mar. 26, 2009, eff. Dec. 1, 2009.)
Rule C. In Rem Actions: Special Provisions
(1) WHENAVAILABLE. An action in rem may be brought:
(a) To enforce any maritime lien;
(b) Whenever a statute of the United States provides for a
maritime action in rem or a proceeding analogous thereto.
Except as otherwise provided by law a party who may proceed
in rem may also, or in the alternative, proceed in personam
against any person who may be liable.
Statutory provisions exempting vessels or other property owned
or possessed by or operated by or for the United States from arrest
Rule C FEDERAL RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE 106
or seizure are not affected by this rule. When a statute so pro-
vides, an action against the United States or an instrumentality
thereof may proceed on in rem principles.
(2) COMPLAINT. In an action in rem the complaint must:
(a) be verified;
(b) describe with reasonable particularity the property that
is the subject of the action; and
(c) state that the property is within the district or will be
within the district while the action is pending.
(3) JUDICIALAUTHORIZATIONANDPROCESS.
(a) Arrest Warrant.
(i) The court must review the complaint and any sup-
porting papers. If the conditions for an in rem action ap-
pear to exist, the court must issue an order directing the
clerk to issue a warrant for the arrest of the vessel or
other property that is the subject of the action.
(ii) If the plaintiff or the plaintiff’s attorney certifies
that exigent circumstances make court review impractica-
ble, the clerk must promptly issue a summons and a war-
rant for the arrest of the vessel or other property that is
the subject of the action. The plaintiff has the burden in
any post-arrest hearing under Rule E(4)(f) to show that ex-
igent circumstances existed.
(b) Service.
(i) If the property that is the subject of the action is a
vessel or tangible property on board a vessel, the warrant
and any supplemental process must be delivered to the
marshal for service.
(ii) If the property that is the subject of the action is
other property, tangible or intangible, the warrant and
any supplemental process must be delivered to a person or
organization authorized to enforce it, who may be: (A) a
marshal; (B) someone under contract with the United
States; (C) someone specially appointed by the court for
that purpose; or, (D) in an action brought by the United
States, any officer or employee of the United States.
(c) Deposit in Court. If the property that is the subject of the
action consists in whole or in part of freight, the proceeds of
property sold, or other intangible property, the clerk must
issue—in addition to the warrant—a summons directing any
person controlling the property to show cause why it should
not be deposited in court to abide the judgment.
(d) Supplemental Process. The clerk may upon application
issue supplemental process to enforce the court’s order with-
out further court order.
(4) NOTICE. No notice other than execution of process is required
when the property that is the subject of the action has been re-
leased under Rule E(5). If the property is not released within 14
days after execution, the plaintiff must promptly—or within the
time that the court allows—give public notice of the action and
arrest in a newspaper designated by court order and having gen-
eral circulation in the district, but publication may be terminated
if the property is released before publication is completed. The no-
tice must specify the time under Rule C(6) to file a statement of
interest in or right against the seized property and to answer.
107 FEDERAL RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE Rule D
This rule does not affect the notice requirements in an action to
foreclose a preferred ship mortgage under 46 U.S.C. §§31301 et seq.,
as amended.
(5) ANCILLARY PROCESS. In any action in rem in which process
has been served as provided by this rule, if any part of the prop-
erty that is the subject of the action has not been brought within
the control of the court because it has been removed or sold, or
because it is intangible property in the hands of a person who has
not been served with process, the court may, on motion, order any
person having possession or control of such property or its pro-
ceeds to show cause why it should not be delivered into the cus-
tody of the marshal or other person or organization having a war-
rant for the arrest of the property, or paid into court to abide the
judgment; and, after hearing, the court may enter such judgment
as law and justice may require.
(6) RESPONSIVEPLEADING; INTERROGATORIES.
(a) Statement of Interest; Answer. In an action in rem:
(i) a person who asserts a right of possession or any own-
ership interest in the property that is the subject of the
action must file a verified statement of right or interest:
(A) within 14 days after the execution of process, or
(B) within the time that the court allows;
(ii) the statement of right or interest must describe the
interest in the property that supports the person’s demand
for its restitution or right to defend the action;
(iii) an agent, bailee, or attorney must state the author-
ity to file a statement of right or interest on behalf of an-
other; and
(iv) a person who asserts a right of possession or any
ownership interest must serve an answer within 21 days
after filing the statement of interest or right.
(b) Interrogatories. Interrogatories may be served with the
complaint in an in rem action without leave of court. Answers
to the interrogatories must be served with the answer to the
complaint.
(As added Feb. 28, 1966, eff. July 1, 1966; amended Apr. 29, 1985, eff.
Aug. 1, 1985; Mar. 2, 1987, eff. Aug. 1, 1987; Apr. 30, 1991, eff. Dec.
1, 1991; Apr. 17, 2000, eff. Dec. 1, 2000; Apr. 29, 2002, eff. Dec. 1, 2002;
Apr. 25, 2005, eff. Dec. 1, 2005; Apr. 12, 2006, eff. Dec. 1, 2006; Apr.
23, 2008, eff. Dec. 1, 2008; Mar. 26, 2009, eff. Dec. 1, 2009.)
Rule D. Possessory, Petitory, and Partition Actions
In all actions for possession, partition, and to try title main-
tainable according to the course of the admiralty practice with re-
spect to a vessel, in all actions so maintainable with respect to
the possession of cargo or other maritime property, and in all ac-
tions by one or more part owners against the others to obtain se-
curity for the return of the vessel from any voyage undertaken
without their consent, or by one or more part owners against the
others to obtain possession of the vessel for any voyage on giving
security for its safe return, the process shall be by a warrant of
arrest of the vessel, cargo, or other property, and by notice in the
manner provided by Rule B(2) to the adverse party or parties.
(As added Feb. 28, 1966, eff. July 1, 1966.)
Rule E FEDERAL RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE 108
Rule E. Actions in Rem and Quasi in Rem: General Provisions
(1) APPLICABILITY. Except as otherwise provided, this rule ap-
plies to actions in personam with process of maritime attachment
and garnishment, actions in rem, and petitory, possessory, and
partition actions, supplementing Rules B, C, and D.
(2) COMPLAINT; SECURITY.
(a) Complaint. In actions to which this rule is applicable the
complaint shall state the circumstances from which the claim
arises with such particularity that the defendant or claimant
will be able, without moving for a more definite statement, to
commence an investigation of the facts and to frame a respon-
sive pleading.
(b) Security for Costs. Subject to the provisions of Rule 54(d)
and of relevant statutes, the court may, on the filing of the
complaint or on the appearance of any defendant, claimant, or
any other party, or at any later time, require the plaintiff, de-
fendant, claimant, or other party to give security, or addi-
tional security, in such sum as the court shall direct to pay
all costs and expenses that shall be awarded against the party
by any interlocutory order or by the final judgment, or on ap-
peal by any appellate court.
(3) PROCESS.
(a) In admiralty and maritime proceedings process in rem or
of maritime attachment and garnishment may be served only
within the district.
(b) Issuance and Delivery. Issuance and delivery of process in
rem, or of maritime attachment and garnishment, shall be
held in abeyance if the plaintiff so requests.
(4) EXECUTION OF PROCESS; MARSHAL’S RETURN; CUSTODY OF
PROPERTY; PROCEDURESFORRELEASE.
(a) In General. Upon issuance and delivery of the process, or,
in the case of summons with process of attachment and gar-
nishment, when it appears that the defendant cannot be found
within the district, the marshal or other person or organiza-
tion having a warrant shall forthwith execute the process in
accordance with this subdivision (4), making due and prompt
return.
(b) Tangible Property. If tangible property is to be attached
or arrested, the marshal or other person or organization hav-
ing the warrant shall take it into the marshal’s possession for
safe custody. If the character or situation of the property is
such that the taking of actual possession is impracticable, the
marshal or other person executing the process shall affix a
copy thereof to the property in a conspicuous place and leave
a copy of the complaint and process with the person having
possession or the person’s agent. In furtherance of the mar-
shal’s custody of any vessel the marshal is authorized to make
a written request to the collector of customs not to grant
clearance to such vessel until notified by the marshal or dep-
uty marshal or by the clerk that the vessel has been released
in accordance with these rules.
(c) Intangible Property. If intangible property is to be at-
tached or arrested the marshal or other person or organization
having the warrant shall execute the process by leaving with
109 FEDERAL RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE Rule E
the garnishee or other obligor a copy of the complaint and
process requiring the garnishee or other obligor to answer as
provided in Rules B(3)(a) and C(6); or the marshal may accept
for payment into the registry of the court the amount owed to
the extent of the amount claimed by the plaintiff with inter-
est and costs, in which event the garnishee or other obligor
shall not be required to answer unless alias process shall be
served.
(d) Directions With Respect to Property in Custody. The mar-
shal or other person or organization having the warrant may
at any time apply to the court for directions with respect to
property that has been attached or arrested, and shall give no-
tice of such application to any or all of the parties as the
court may direct.
(e) Expenses of Seizing and Keeping Property; Deposit. These
rules do not alter the provisions of Title 28, U.S.C., §1921, as
amended, relative to the expenses of seizing and keeping prop-
erty attached or arrested and to the requirement of deposits
to cover such expenses.
(f) Procedure for Release From Arrest or Attachment. Whenever
property is arrested or attached, any person claiming an inter-
est in it shall be entitled to a prompt hearing at which the
plaintiff shall be required to show why the arrest or attach-
ment should not be vacated or other relief granted consistent
with these rules. This subdivision shall have no application to
suits for seamen’s wages when process is issued upon a certifi-
cation of sufficient cause filed pursuant to Title 46, U.S.C.
§§603 and 6042or to actions by the United States for forfeitures
for violation of any statute of the United States.
(5) RELEASEOFPROPERTY.
(a) Special Bond. Whenever process of maritime attachment
and garnishment or process in rem is issued the execution of
such process shall be stayed, or the property released, on the
giving of security, to be approved by the court or clerk, or by
stipulation of the parties, conditioned to answer the judgment
of the court or of any appellate court. The parties may stipu-
late the amount and nature of such security. In the event of
the inability or refusal of the parties so to stipulate the court
shall fix the principal sum of the bond or stipulation at an
amount sufficient to cover the amount of the plaintiff’s claim
fairly stated with accrued interest and costs; but the principal
sum shall in no event exceed (i) twice the amount of the plain-
tiff’s claim or (ii) the value of the property on due appraise-
ment, whichever is smaller. The bond or stipulation shall be
conditioned for the payment of the principal sum and interest
thereon at 6 per cent per annum.
(b) General Bond. The owner of any vessel may file a general
bond or stipulation, with sufficient surety, to be approved by
the court, conditioned to answer the judgment of such court
in all or any actions that may be brought thereafter in such
court in which the vessel is attached or arrested. Thereupon
the execution of all such process against such vessel shall be
2Repealed by Pub. L. 98–89, §4(b), Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 600, section 1 of which enacted Title 46,
Shipping.
Rule E FEDERAL RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE 110
stayed so long as the amount secured by such bond or stipula-
tion is at least double the aggregate amount claimed by plain-
tiffs in all actions begun and pending in which such vessel has
been attached or arrested. Judgments and remedies may be
had on such bond or stipulation as if a special bond or stipula-
tion had been filed in each of such actions. The district court
may make necessary orders to carry this rule into effect, par-
ticularly as to the giving of proper notice of any action
against or attachment of a vessel for which a general bond has
been filed. Such bond or stipulation shall be indorsed by the
clerk with a minute of the actions wherein process is so
stayed. Further security may be required by the court at any
time.
If a special bond or stipulation is given in a particular case,
the liability on the general bond or stipulation shall cease as
to that case.
(c) Release by Consent or Stipulation; Order of Court or Clerk;
Costs. Any vessel, cargo, or other property in the custody of
the marshal or other person or organization having the war-
rant may be released forthwith upon the marshal’s acceptance
and approval of a stipulation, bond, or other security, signed
by the party on whose behalf the property is detained or the
party’s attorney and expressly authorizing such release, if all
costs and charges of the court and its officers shall have first
been paid. Otherwise no property in the custody of the mar-
shal, other person or organization having the warrant, or
other officer of the court shall be released without an order of
the court; but such order may be entered as of course by the
clerk, upon the giving of approved security as provided by law
and these rules, or upon the dismissal or discontinuance of the
action; but the marshal or other person or organization having
the warrant shall not deliver any property so released until
the costs and charges of the officers of the court shall first
have been paid.
(d) Possessory, Petitory, and Partition Actions. The foregoing
provisions of this subdivision (5) do not apply to petitory, pos-
sessory, and partition actions. In such cases the property ar-
rested shall be released only by order of the court, on such
terms and conditions and on the giving of such security as the
court may require.
(6) REDUCTION OR IMPAIRMENT OF SECURITY. Whenever security is
taken the court may, on motion and hearing, for good cause
shown, reduce the amount of security given; and if the surety
shall be or become insufficient, new or additional sureties may be
required on motion and hearing.
(7) SECURITYONCOUNTERCLAIM.
(a) When a person who has given security for damages in the
original action asserts a counterclaim that arises from the
transaction or occurrence that is the subject of the original
action, a plaintiff for whose benefit the security has been
given must give security for damages demanded in the coun-
terclaim unless the court, for cause shown, directs otherwise.
Proceedings on the original claim must be stayed until this se-
curity is given, unless the court directs otherwise.
111 FEDERAL RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE Rule F
(b) The plaintiff is required to give security under Rule
E(7)(a) when the United States or its corporate instrumental-
ity counterclaims and would have been required to give secu-
rity to respond in damages if a private party but is relieved by
law from giving security.
(8) RESTRICTED APPEARANCE. An appearance to defend against an
admiralty and maritime claim with respect to which there has is-
sued process in rem, or process of attachment and garnishment,
may be expressly restricted to the defense of such claim, and in
that event is not an appearance for the purposes of any other
claim with respect to which such process is not available or has
not been served.
(9) DISPOSITIONOFPROPERTY; SALES.
(a) Interlocutory Sales; Delivery.
(i) On application of a party, the marshal, or other per-
son having custody of the property, the court may order
all or part of the property sold—with the sales proceeds, or
as much of them as will satisfy the judgment, paid into
court to await further orders of the court—if:
(A) the attached or arrested property is perishable,
or liable to deterioration, decay, or injury by being de-
tained in custody pending the action;
(B) the expense of keeping the property is excessive
or disproportionate; or
(C) there is an unreasonable delay in securing release
of the property.
(ii) In the circumstances described in Rule E(9)(a)(i), the
court, on motion by a defendant or a person filing a state-
ment of interest or right under Rule C(6), may order that
the property, rather than being sold, be delivered to the
movant upon giving security under these rules.
(b) Sales, Proceeds. All sales of property shall be made by the
marshal or a deputy marshal, or by other person or organiza-
tion having the warrant, or by any other person assigned by
the court where the marshal or other person or organization
having the warrant is a party in interest; and the proceeds of
sale shall be forthwith paid into the registry of the court to
be disposed of according to law.
(10) PRESERVATIONOFPROPERTY. When the owner or another per-
son remains in possession of property attached or arrested under
the provisions of Rule E(4)(b) that permit execution of process
without taking actual possession, the court, on a party’s motion
or on its own, may enter any order necessary to preserve the prop-
erty and to prevent its removal.
(As added Feb. 28, 1966, eff. July 1, 1966; amended Apr. 29, 1985, eff.
Aug. 1, 1985; Mar. 2, 1987, eff. Aug. 1, 1987; Apr. 30, 1991, eff. Dec.
1, 1991; Apr. 17, 2000, eff. Dec. 1, 2000; Apr. 12, 2006, eff. Dec. 1, 2006.)
Rule F. Limitation of Liability
(1) TIME FOR FILING COMPLAINT; SECURITY. Not later than six
months after receipt of a claim in writing, any vessel owner may
file a complaint in the appropriate district court, as provided in
subdivision (9) of this rule, for limitation of liability pursuant to
statute. The owner (a) shall deposit with the court, for the benefit
Rule F FEDERAL RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE 112
of claimants, a sum equal to the amount or value of the owner’s
interest in the vessel and pending freight, or approved security
therefor, and in addition such sums, or approved security therefor,
as the court may from time to time fix as necessary to carry out
the provisions of the statutes as amended; or (b) at the owner’s op-
tion shall transfer to a trustee to be appointed by the court, for
the benefit of claimants, the owner’s interest in the vessel and
pending freight, together with such sums, or approved security
therefor, as the court may from time to time fix as necessary to
carry out the provisions of the statutes as amended. The plaintiff
shall also give security for costs and, if the plaintiff elects to give
security, for interest at the rate of 6 percent per annum from the
date of the security.
(2) COMPLAINT. The complaint shall set forth the facts on the
basis of which the right to limit liability is asserted and all facts
necessary to enable the court to determine the amount to which
the owner’s liability shall be limited. The complaint may demand
exoneration from as well as limitation of liability. It shall state
the voyage if any, on which the demands sought to be limited
arose, with the date and place of its termination; the amount of
all demands including all unsatisfied liens or claims of lien, in
contract or in tort or otherwise, arising on that voyage, so far as
known to the plaintiff, and what actions and proceedings, if any,
are pending thereon; whether the vessel was damaged, lost, or
abandoned, and, if so, when and where; the value of the vessel at
the close of the voyage or, in case of wreck, the value of her
wreckage, strippings, or proceeds, if any, and where and in whose
possession they are; and the amount of any pending freight recov-
ered or recoverable. If the plaintiff elects to transfer the plain-
tiff’s interest in the vessel to a trustee, the complaint must fur-
ther show any prior paramount liens thereon, and what voyages or
trips, if any, she has made since the voyage or trip on which the
claims sought to be limited arose, and any existing liens arising
upon any such subsequent voyage or trip, with the amounts and
causes thereof, and the names and addresses of the lienors, so far
as known; and whether the vessel sustained any injury upon or by
reason of such subsequent voyage or trip.
(3) CLAIMS AGAINST OWNER; INJUNCTION. Upon compliance by the
owner with the requirements of subdivision (1) of this rule all
claims and proceedings against the owner or the owner’s property
with respect to the matter in question shall cease. On application
of the plaintiff the court shall enjoin the further prosecution of
any action or proceeding against the plaintiff or the plaintiff’s
property with respect to any claim subject to limitation in the ac-
tion.
(4) NOTICE TO CLAIMANTS. Upon the owner’s compliance with sub-
division (1) of this rule the court shall issue a notice to all persons
asserting claims with respect to which the complaint seeks limi-
tation, admonishing them to file their respective claims with the
clerk of the court and to serve on the attorneys for the plaintiff
a copy thereof on or before a date to be named in the notice. The
date so fixed shall not be less than 30 days after issuance of the
notice. For cause shown, the court may enlarge the time within
which claims may be filed. The notice shall be published in such
newspaper or newspapers as the court may direct once a week for
113 FEDERAL RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE Rule F
four successive weeks prior to the date fixed for the filing of
claims. The plaintiff not later than the day of second publication
shall also mail a copy of the notice to every person known to have
made any claim against the vessel or the plaintiff arising out of
the voyage or trip on which the claims sought to be limited arose.
In cases involving death a copy of such notice shall be mailed to
the decedent at the decedent’s last known address, and also to any
person who shall be known to have made any claim on account of
such death.
(5) CLAIMS AND ANSWER. Claims shall be filed and served on or
before the date specified in the notice provided for in subdivision
(4) of this rule. Each claim shall specify the facts upon which the
claimant relies in support of the claim, the items thereof, and the
dates on which the same accrued. If a claimant desires to contest
either the right to exoneration from or the right to limitation of
liability the claimant shall file and serve an answer to the com-
plaint unless the claim has included an answer.
(6) INFORMATION TO BE GIVEN CLAIMANTS. Within 30 days after
the date specified in the notice for filing claims, or within such
time as the court thereafter may allow, the plaintiff shall mail to
the attorney for each claimant (or if the claimant has no attorney
to the claimant) a list setting forth (a) the name of each claimant,
(b) the name and address of the claimant’s attorney (if the claim-
ant is known to have one), (c) the nature of the claim, i.e., wheth-
er property loss, property damage, death, personal injury etc., and
(d) the amount thereof.
(7) INSUFFICIENCY OF FUND OR SECURITY. Any claimant may by
motion demand that the funds deposited in court or the security
given by the plaintiff be increased on the ground that they are
less than the value of the plaintiff’s interest in the vessel and
pending freight. Thereupon the court shall cause due appraise-
ment to be made of the value of the plaintiff’s interest in the ves-
sel and pending freight; and if the court finds that the deposit or
security is either insufficient or excessive it shall order its in-
crease or reduction. In like manner any claimant may demand
that the deposit or security be increased on the ground that it is
insufficient to carry out the provisions of the statutes relating to
claims in respect of loss of life or bodily injury; and, after notice
and hearing, the court may similarly order that the deposit or se-
curity be increased or reduced.
(8) OBJECTIONS TO CLAIMS: DISTRIBUTION OF FUND. Any interested
party may question or controvert any claim without filing an ob-
jection thereto. Upon determination of liability the fund depos-
ited or secured, or the proceeds of the vessel and pending freight,
shall be divided pro rata, subject to all relevant provisions of law,
among the several claimants in proportion to the amounts of their
respective claims, duly proved, saving, however, to all parties any
priority to which they may be legally entitled.
(9) VENUE; TRANSFER. The complaint shall be filed in any dis-
trict in which the vessel has been attached or arrested to answer
for any claim with respect to which the plaintiff seeks to limit li-
ability; or, if the vessel has not been attached or arrested, then in
any district in which the owner has been sued with respect to any
such claim. When the vessel has not been attached or arrested to
answer the matters aforesaid, and suit has not been commenced
Rule G FEDERAL RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE 114
against the owner, the proceedings may be had in the district in
which the vessel may be, but if the vessel is not within any dis-
trict and no suit has been commenced in any district, then the
complaint may be filed in any district. For the convenience of
parties and witnesses, in the interest of justice, the court may
transfer the action to any district; if venue is wrongly laid the
court shall dismiss or, if it be in the interest of justice, transfer
the action to any district in which it could have been brought. If
the vessel shall have been sold, the proceeds shall represent the
vessel for the purposes of these rules.
(As added Feb. 28, 1966, eff. July 1, 1966; amended Mar. 2, 1987, eff.
Aug. 1, 1987.)
Rule G. Forfeiture Actions In Rem
(1) SCOPE. This rule governs a forfeiture action in rem arising
from a federal statute. To the extent that this rule does not ad-
dress an issue, Supplemental Rules C and E and the Federal Rules
of Civil Procedure also apply.
(2) COMPLAINT. The complaint must:
(a) be verified;
(b) state the grounds for subject-matter jurisdiction, in rem
jurisdiction over the defendant property, and venue;
(c) describe the property with reasonable particularity;
(d) if the property is tangible, state its location when any
seizure occurred and—if different—its location when the ac-
tion is filed;
(e) identify the statute under which the forfeiture action is
brought; and
(f) state sufficiently detailed facts to support a reasonable
belief that the government will be able to meet its burden of
proof at trial.
(3) JUDICIALAUTHORIZATIONANDPROCESS.
(a) Real Property. If the defendant is real property, the gov-
ernment must proceed under 18 U.S.C. §985.
(b) Other Property; Arrest Warrant. If the defendant is not real
property:
(i) the clerk must issue a warrant to arrest the property
if it is in the government’s possession, custody, or control;
(ii) the court—on finding probable cause—must issue a
warrant to arrest the property if it is not in the govern-
ment’s possession, custody, or control and is not subject to
a judicial restraining order; and
(iii) a warrant is not necessary if the property is subject
to a judicial restraining order.
(c) Execution of Process.
(i) The warrant and any supplemental process must be
delivered to a person or organization authorized to execute
it, who may be: (A) a marshal or any other United States
officer or employee; (B) someone under contact with the
United States; or (C) someone specially appointed by the
court for that purpose.
(ii) The authorized person or organization must execute
the warrant and any supplemental process on property in
the United States as soon as practicable unless:
115 FEDERAL RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE Rule G
(A) the property is in the government’s possession,
custody, or control; or
(B) the court orders a different time when the com-
plaint is under seal, the action is stayed before the
warrant and supplemental process are executed, or the
court finds other good cause.
(iii) The warrant and any supplemental process may be
executed within the district or, when authorized by stat-
ute, outside the district.
(iv) If executing a warrant on property outside the
United States is required, the warrant may be transmitted
to an appropriate authority for serving process where the
property is located.
(4) NOTICE.
(a) Notice by Publication.
(i) When Publication Is Required. A judgment of forfeit-
ure may be entered only if the government has published
notice of the action within a reasonable time after filing
the complaint or at a time the court orders. But notice
need not be published if:
(A) the defendant property is worth less than $1,000
and direct notice is sent under Rule G(4)(b) to every
person the government can reasonably identify as a po-
tential claimant; or
(B) the court finds that the cost of publication ex-
ceeds the property’s value and that other means of no-
tice would satisfy due process.
(ii) Content of the Notice. Unless the court orders other-
wise, the notice must:
(A) describe the property with reasonable particular-
ity;
(B) state the times under Rule G(5) to file a claim
and to answer; and
(C) name the government attorney to be served with
the claim and answer.
(iii) Frequency of Publication. Published notice must ap-
pear:
(A) once a week for three consecutive weeks; or
(B) only once if, before the action was filed, notice of
nonjudicial forfeiture of the same property was pub-
lished on an official internet government forfeiture
site for at least 30 consecutive days, or in a newspaper
of general circulation for three consecutive weeks in a
district where publication is authorized under Rule
G(4)(a)(iv).
(iv) Means of Publication. The government should select
from the following options a means of publication reason-
ably calculated to notify potential claimants of the action:
(A) if the property is in the United States, publica-
tion in a newspaper generally circulated in the district
where the action is filed, where the property was
seized, or where property that was not seized is lo-
cated;
Rule G FEDERAL RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE 116
(B) if the property is outside the United States, pub-
lication in a newspaper generally circulated in a dis-
trict where the action is filed, in a newspaper gener-
ally circulated in the country where the property is lo-
cated, or in legal notices published and generally cir-
culated in the country where the property is located;
or
(C) instead of (A) or (B), posting a notice on an offi-
cial internet government forfeiture site for at least 30
consecutive days.
(b) Notice to Known Potential Claimants.
(i) Direct Notice Required. The government must send
notice of the action and a copy of the complaint to any
person who reasonably appears to be a potential claimant
on the facts known to the government before the end of
the time for filing a claim under Rule G(5)(a)(ii)(B).
(ii) Content of the Notice. The notice must state:
(A) the date when the notice is sent;
(B) a deadline for filing a claim, at least 35 days after
the notice is sent;
(C) that an answer or a motion under Rule 12 must
be filed no later than 21 days after filing the claim; and
(D) the name of the government attorney to be
served with the claim and answer.
(iii) Sending Notice.
(A) The notice must be sent by means reasonably cal-
culated to reach the potential claimant.
(B) Notice may be sent to the potential claimant or
to the attorney representing the potential claimant
with respect to the seizure of the property or in a re-
lated investigation, administrative forfeiture proceed-
ing, or criminal case.
(C) Notice sent to a potential claimant who is incar-
cerated must be sent to the place of incarceration.
(D) Notice to a person arrested in connection with an
offense giving rise to the forfeiture who is not incar-
cerated when notice is sent may be sent to the address
that person last gave to the agency that arrested or re-
leased the person.
(E) Notice to a person from whom the property was
seized who is not incarcerated when notice is sent may
be sent to the last address that person gave to the
agency that seized the property.
(iv) When Notice Is Sent. Notice by the following means
is sent on the date when it is placed in the mail, delivered
to a commercial carrier, or sent by electronic mail.
(v) Actual Notice. A potential claimant who had actual
notice of a forfeiture action may not oppose or seek relief
from forfeiture because of the government’s failure to send
the required notice.
(5) RESPONSIVEPLEADINGS.
(a) Filing a Claim.
(i) A person who asserts an interest in the defendant
property may contest the forfeiture by filing a claim in
the court where the action is pending. The claim must:
117 FEDERAL RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE Rule G
(A) identify the specific property claimed;
(B) identify the claimant and state the claimant’s in-
terest in the property;
(C) be signed by the claimant under penalty of per-
jury; and
(D) be served on the government attorney designated
under Rule G(4)(a)(ii)(C) or (b)(ii)(D).
(ii) Unless the court for good cause sets a different time,
the claim must be filed:
(A) by the time stated in a direct notice sent under
Rule G(4)(b);
(B) if notice was published but direct notice was not
sent to the claimant or the claimant’s attorney, no
later than 30 days after final publication of newspaper
notice or legal notice under Rule G(4)(a) or no later
than 60 days after the first day of publication on an of-
ficial internet government forfeiture site; or
(C) if notice was not published and direct notice was
not sent to the claimant or the claimant’s attorney:
(1) if the property was in the government’s pos-
session, custody, or control when the complaint
was filed, no later than 60 days after the filing, not
counting any time when the complaint was under
seal or when the action was stayed before execu-
tion of a warrant issued under Rule G(3)(b); or
(2) if the property was not in the government’s
possession, custody, or control when the complaint
was filed, no later than 60 days after the govern-
ment complied with 18 U.S.C. §985(c) as to real
property, or 60 days after process was executed on
the property under Rule G(3).
(iii) A claim filed by a person asserting an interest as a
bailee must identify the bailor, and if filed on the bailor’s
behalf must state the authority to do so.
(b) Answer. A claimant must serve and file an answer to the
complaint or a motion under Rule 12 within 21 days after filing
the claim. A claimant waives an objection to in rem jurisdic-
tion or to venue if the objection is not made by motion or
stated in the answer.
(6) SPECIALINTERROGATORIES.
(a) Time and Scope. The government may serve special inter-
rogatories limited to the claimant’s identity and relationship
to the defendant property without the court’s leave at any
time after the claim is filed and before discovery is closed. But
if the claimant serves a motion to dismiss the action, the gov-
ernment must serve the interrogatories within 21 days after
the motion is served.
(b) Answers or Objections. Answers or objections to these in-
terrogatories must be served within 21 days after the interrog-
atories are served.
(c) Government’s Response Deferred. The government need not
respond to a claimant’s motion to dismiss the action under
Rule G(8)(b) until 21 days after the claimant has answered
these interrogatories.
Rule G FEDERAL RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE 118
(7) PRESERVING, PREVENTING CRIMINAL USE, AND DISPOSING OF
PROPERTY; SALES.
(a) Preserving and Preventing Criminal Use of Property. When
the government does not have actual possession of the defend-
ant property the court, on motion or on its own, may enter
any order necessary to preserve the property, to prevent its re-
moval or encumbrance, or to prevent its use in a criminal of-
fense.
(b) Interlocutory Sale or Delivery.
(i) Order to Sell. On motion by a party or a person hav-
ing custody of the property, the court may order all or
part of the property sold if:
(A) the property is perishable or at risk of deteriora-
tion, decay, or injury by being detained in custody
pending the action;
(B) the expense of keeping the property is excessive
or is disproportionate to its fair market value;
(C) the property is subject to a mortgage or to taxes
on which the owner is in default; or
(D) the court finds other good cause.
(ii) Who Makes the Sale. A sale must be made by a
United States agency that has authority to sell the prop-
erty, by the agency’s contractor, or by any person the
court designates.
(iii) Sale Procedures. The sale is governed by 28 U.S.C.
§§2001, 2002, and 2004, unless all parties, with the court’s
approval, agree to the sale, aspects of the sale, or different
procedures.
(iv) Sale Proceeds. Sale proceeds are a substitute res
subject to forfeiture in place of the property that was sold.
The proceeds must be held in an interest-bearing account
maintained by the United States pending the conclusion of
the forfeiture action.
(v) Delivery on a Claimant’s Motion. The court may
order that the property be delivered to the claimant pend-
ing the conclusion of the action if the claimant shows cir-
cumstances that would permit sale under Rule G(7)(b)(i)
and gives security under these rules.
(c) Disposing of Forfeited Property. Upon entry of a forfeiture
judgment, the property or proceeds from selling the property
must be disposed of as provided by law.
(8) MOTIONS.
(a) Motion To Suppress Use of the Property as Evidence. If the
defendant property was seized, a party with standing to con-
test the lawfulness of the seizure may move to suppress use of
the property as evidence. Suppression does not affect forfeit-
ure of the property based on independently derived evidence.
(b) Motion To Dismiss the Action.
(i) A claimant who establishes standing to contest for-
feiture may move to dismiss the action under Rule 12(b).
(ii) In an action governed by 18 U.S.C. §983(a)(3)(D) the
complaint may not be dismissed on the ground that the
government did not have adequate evidence at the time
the complaint was filed to establish the forfeitability of
the property. The sufficiency of the complaint is governed
by Rule G(2).
(c) Motion To Strike a Claim or Answer.
(i) At any time before trial, the government may move
to strike a claim or answer:
(A) for failing to comply with Rule G(5) or (6), or
(B) because the claimant lacks standing.
(ii) The motion:
(A) must be decided before any motion by the claim-
ant to dismiss the action; and
(B) may be presented as a motion for judgment on
the pleadings or as a motion to determine after a hear-
ing or by summary judgment whether the claimant can
carry the burden of establishing standing by a prepon-
derance of the evidence.
(d) Petition To Release Property.
(i) If a United States agency or an agency’s contractor
holds property for judicial or nonjudicial forfeiture under
a statute governed by 18 U.S.C. §983(f), a person who has
filed a claim to the property may petition for its release
under §983(f).
(ii) If a petition for release is filed before a judicial for-
feiture action is filed against the property, the petition
may be filed either in the district where the property was
seized or in the district where a warrant to seize the prop-
erty issued. If a judicial forfeiture action against the prop-
erty is later filed in another district—or if the government
shows that the action will be filed in another district—the
petition may be transferred to that district under 28 U.S.C.
§1404.
(e) Excessive Fines. A claimant may seek to mitigate a for-
feiture under the Excessive Fines Clause of the Eighth Amend-
ment by motion for summary judgment or by motion made
after entry of a forfeiture judgment if:
(i) the claimant has pleaded the defense under Rule 8;
and
(ii) the parties have had the opportunity to conduct civil
discovery on the defense.
(9) TRIAL. Trial is to the court unless any party demands trial
by jury under Rule 38.
Related
Advisory Committee Notes
(As added Apr. 12, 2006, eff. Dec. 1, 2006; amended Mar. 26, 2009, eff. Dec. 1, 2009.)