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Alabama Rules of Procedure of the Court of the Judiciary – 2026

The trial court for judges, 27 rules adopted March 11, 1974 under the Judicial Article — Amendment No. 328 to the Constitution of Alabama, proclaimed December 27, 1973. Rule 3 governs the complaint, its filing and contents and the right to notice and responsive pleadings; Rules 4 and 5 service and the time to plead. Rule 6 says when a court member may not participate and Rule 7 that dilatory actions are disfavored. Rules 8 through 11 cover the date and place of hearing, the nature of hearings, the rules of procedure and evidence that govern, and how the court proceeds where no pleading is filed and no appearance made. Rule 12 provides for appointed counsel, Rule 13 for designation as an interested party, Rule 16 the court's decisions and orders, Rule 21 the transcript and Rule 26 the selection and appointment of alternate judges. Rule 23 entitles every interested party of record to a copy of these rules.

Browse all 27 rules of the 2026 edition below. Each rule includes the full text, a plain-English summary, committee notes, amendment history, and cross-references to related rules. Use the search box to find rules by keyword or number.

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Rule 1 Definitions. Rule 2 Secretary. Rule 3 Complaint; filing, contents, etc.; right to notice, responsive pleadings, etc. Rule 4 Service of notice of complaint. Rule 5 Filing responsive pleadings. Rule 6 When court members not to participate. Rule 7 Dilatory actions disfavored. Rule 8 Date and place of hearing. Rule 9 Nature of hearings. Rule 10 Rules of procedure and evidence to govern. Rule 11 Court to proceed where no pleadings filed or appearance made. Rule 12 Appointment of counsel. Rule 13 Persons designated as interested party. Rule 14 Witnesses. Rule 15 Obligation to assist, aid, etc., court. Rule 16 Decisions, orders, etc., of court. Rule 17 Designation of bailiff; punishment for contempt. Rule 18 Judicial notice. Rule 19 Place of hearing. Rule 20 Court orders. Rule 21 Transcript of proceedings. Rule 22 Subpoenas; witness fees. Rule 23 Copies of rules. Rule 24 Presiding judge. Rule 25 Effective date. Rule 26 Selection and appointment of alternate judges. Rule 27 Publication.