2019 Amendments to Federal Rules

(Effective December 1, 2019)

Appellate Rules: 3, 5, 13, 21, 25, 26, 26.1, 28, 32, and 39.

Bankruptcy Rules:  4001, 6007, 9036, and 9037.

Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure: 16.1 and proposed amendments to Rule 5 of the Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases in the United States District Courts and Rule 5 of the Rules Governing Section 2255 Proceedings for the United States District Courts.

Evidence Rule 807

Under 28 U.S.C. §§ 2074(a) and 2075, and the Supreme Court orders dated April 25, 2019, the amendments govern all proceedings commenced on or after December 1, 2019, and all proceedings then pending “insofar as just and practicable.” The text of the new and amended rules, and the accompanying committee notes—along with extensive supporting documentation related to their adoption—are posted on the “Current Rules” page of the Judiciary’s website at: http://www.uscourts.gov/rules-policies/current-rules-practice-procedure.

In addition, one amended official bankruptcy form and one new Director’s form became effective on December 1, 2019. As approved by the Judicial Conference, amendments to the official bankruptcy forms govern all proceedings in bankruptcy cases thereafter commenced and, insofar as just and practicable, all proceedings then pending. The forms are posted on the website at: http://www.uscourts.gov/forms/bankruptcy-forms.