Civil Rules Committee Approves Proposed Rules Amendments

At its April 7-8, 2008, meeting, the Advisory Committee on Civil Rules approved amendments to Civil Rules 6, 12, 14, 15, 23, 27, 32, 38, 50, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 59, 62, 65, 68, 71.1, 72, 81, Supplemental Rules B, C, and G, and Illustrative Civil Forms 3, 4, and 60 regarding the computation of time under the rules. The advisory committee also approved proposed amendments to Civil Rules 13, 15, 48, and 81, and new Rule 62.1, and approved in principle a proposed amendment to Civil Rule 8. The advisory committee will forward its recommendations to the Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure for consideration at its June 2008 meeting. If approved, the proposed amendments and new rule will be transmitted to the Judicial Conference for consideration at its September 2008 session.

The advisory committee also approved for publication proposed amendments to Civil Rule 26 on the discovery of expert witnesses and Civil Rule 56 on summary judgment. The advisory committee will forward its recommendations to publish to the Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure for consideration at its June 2008 meeting. If approved, the proposed amendments are expected to be published in August 2008 and will be posted at http://www.uscourts.gov/rules/newrules1.htm.