Skip to main content

Alabama Rules of Disciplinary Procedure – 2026

The whole of Alabama lawyer discipline, 42 rules. The Preamble states the basis: the Supreme Court of Alabama has inherent responsibility to supervise the conduct of lawyers who are its officers. Rule 1 sets the jurisdiction, Rule 2 the grounds for discipline and Rule 8 the types of discipline, with Rule 8.1 the Prediscipline Diversion Program. The bodies are Rule 4 the Disciplinary Board, Rule 4.2 the disciplinary hearing officer, Rule 5 the Disciplinary Commission, Rule 5.1 the Board of Disciplinary Appeals, Rule 6 the General Counsel and Rule 7 local grievance committees. Rules 9, 10 and 11 make noncompliance with the Client Security Fund rules, the MCLE rules and the IOLTA rules themselves disciplinable. Rule 12 is the procedure, Rule 16 formal charges, Rule 17 subpoena power and pre-trial proceedings, Rule 19 hearings, Rule 20 interim and summary suspension, Rule 22 mandatory suspension or disbarment, Rules 23 and 24 disbarment and discipline by consent, Rule 25 reciprocal discipline, Rule 27 transfer to disability inactive status and Rule 28 reinstatement. Rule 29 provides for a trustee or supervising lawyer to protect the interests of a disbarred or suspended lawyer's clients, and Rule 36 the unauthorized-practice-of-law proceeding.

Browse all 42 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.

Jump to

Rule Preamble Preamble Rule 1 Jurisdiction. Rule 2 Grounds for discipline. Rule 3 Nature of proceedings. Rule 4 The Disciplinary Board of the Alabama State Bar. Rule 4.1 The Disciplinary Board of the Alabama State Bar - Transitional provision. Rule 4.2 The disciplinary hearing officer of the Alabama State Bar. Rule 5 The Disciplinary Commission of the Alabama State Bar. Rule 5.1 The Board of Disciplinary Appeals of the Alabama State Bar. Rule 6 The General Counsel. Rule 7 Local grievance committees. Rule 8 Types of discipline. Rule 8.1 Prediscipline Diversion Program. Rule 9 Noncompliance with the Alabama state bar client security fund rules. Rule 10 Noncompliance with the Alabama state bar mandatory continuing legal education rules. Rule 11 Noncompliance with Alabama state bar interest on lawyer trust account rules. Rule 12 Procedures. Rule 12.1 Procedures - Transitional provision. Rule 13 Refusal of complainant to proceed, compromise, etc. Rule 14 Matters involving related pending civil or criminal litigation. Rule 15 Immunity. Rule 16 Filing and service of formal charges. Rule 17 Subpoena power, witnesses, and pre-trial proceedings. Rule 18 Conduct not subject to disciplinary action. Rule 19 Hearings. Rule 20 Interim suspension and summary suspension. Rule 21 Probation. Rule 22 Mandatory suspension or disbarment. Rule 23 Disbarment by consent. Rule 24 Discipline by consent. Rule 25 Reciprocal discipline. Rule 26 Disbarred or suspended lawyers or lawyers on disability inactive status. Rule 27 Transfer to disability inactive status. Rule 28 Reinstatement. Rule 29 Appointment of trustee or supervising lawyer to protect the interests of a lawyer and the lawyer's clients. Rule 30 Confidentiality. Rule 31 Time within which formal disciplinary proceedings must be instituted. Rule 32 Record keeping. Rule 33 Publication and costs. Rule 34 Effective date. Rule 35 Disqualification. Rule 36 Unauthorized practice of law proceeding.