Fed. R. Civ. P.
US Federal Civil Procedure Resources
Use these short guides to orient yourself to common federal civil case stages and prepare questions for a qualified professional.
Guides in this area
- How toFederal court summons: what it means and what to do nextWhat a federal summons is and must say, the 21-day deadline to respond (60 for the United States), waiver requests, and what happens if you don't respond.
- How toHow to answer a federal lawsuit: your deadline, Rule 8 and defensesYour deadline to answer a federal complaint (21 days, or 60 after a waiver), how to admit or deny each paragraph, Rule 12 motions, defenses and default.
- How toService of process in federal court: how to serve, waivers and the 90-day limitWho can serve, how to serve a person, a company or the United States, asking for a waiver, proving service, and the 90-day limit under Rule 4(m).
- How toFiling a complaint in federal court: jurisdiction, contents and feesCan a federal court hear your case (a federal question, or diversity over $75,000), what a complaint must say under Rule 8, the $405 cost and fee waivers.
- How toDepositions in federal civil cases: notice, oath, time limit and transcriptWhat a deposition is, the notice and subpoena, the oath, objections, the one-day 7-hour limit, and your 30 days to review the transcript under Rule 30.
- How toMediation in a federal civil case: court ADR programs and how to prepareHow court mediation and other ADR work in federal civil cases, who must attend, what stays confidential, settlement conferences, and how to prepare.
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This page explains the law in general terms. It is not legal advice about your situation. Justice is not a law firm and is not affiliated with any court or government agency.