The purpose of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure is "to secure the just, speedy, and inexpensive determination of every action and proceeding." Fed. R. Civ. P. 1. The rules were first adopted by order of the Supreme Court on December 20, 1937, transmitted to Congress on January 3, 1938, and effective September 16, 1938. The Civil Rules were last amended in 2024. 

• Read the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (PDF)

Please refer to House Document 118-125 for the text of the amended rules and accompanying committee notes effective December 1, 2024. An updated PDF pamphlet that includes the newly effective rules will be posted on this page when it becomes available from the U.S. Government Publishing Office.