Trial Court Rules of Civil Procedure – 2026

American Samoa's civil rules, modeled on the Federal Rules and cited locally NUMBER FIRST as "34 TCRCP". They govern civil suits in the High Court and the District Court, with the answer due 20 days after service under TCRCP 12(a) and FRCP-pattern discovery at Rules 26-37. The striking omission is the jury: TCRCP 38 and 39 are both marked "(Omitted)", so there is NO CIVIL JURY under the rules as published — a civil case in the Trial Division is decided by the justice sitting with associate judges, the justice's opinion prevailing. Forum depends on amount: over $15,000 goes to the Trial Division, $15,000 or less to the District Court, under $3,000 to small claims.

Last updated September 08, 2026

Browse all 92 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.

Rule 1 Scope of Rules and Title Rule 2 One Form of Action Rule 3 Commencement of Action Rule 4 Process Rule 5 Service and Filing of Pleadings and Other Papers Rule 6 Time Rule 7 Pleadings Allowed; Form of Motions Rule 8 General Rules of Pleading Rule 9 Pleading Special Matters Rule 10 Form of Pleading Rule 11 Signing of Pleadings, Motions, and Other Papers; Representations to Court; Sanctions Rule 12 Defense and Objections — When and How Presented–By Pleading or Motion–Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings Rule 13 Counterclaim and Cross-claim Rule 14 Third-party Practice Rule 15 Amended and Supplemental Pleadings Rule 16 Pre-trial Procedure; Formulating Issues Rule 17 Parties Plaintiff and Defendant: Capacity Rule 18 Joinder of Claims and Remedies Rule 19 Joinder of Persons Needed for Just Adjudication Rule 20 Permissive Joinder of Parties Rule 21 Misjoinder and Non-joinder of Parties Rule 22 Interpleader Rule 23 Class Actions Rule 23.2 Actions Relating to Unincorporated Associations Rule 24 Intervention Rule 25 Substitution of Parties Rule 26 General Provisions Governing Discovery Rule 27 Depositions Before Action or Pending Appeal Rule 28 Persons Before Whom Depositions May Be Taken Rule 29 Stipulations Regarding Discovery Procedure Rule 30 Depositions Upon Oral Examination Rule 31 Depositions Upon Written Questions Rule 32 Use of Depositions in Court Proceedings Rule 33 Interrogatories to Parties Rule 34 Production of Documents and Things and Entry Upon Land for Inspection and Other Purposes Rule 35 Physical and Mental Examination of Persons Rule 36 Requests for Admission of Documents Rule 37 Failure to Make or Cooperate in Discovery: Sanctions Rule 40 Assignment of Cases for Trial Rule 41 Dismissal of Actions Rule 42 Consolidation; Separate Trials Rule 43 Taking of Testimony Rule 44 Proof of Official Record Rule 44.1 Determination of Foreign Law Rule 45 Subpoena Rule 46 Exceptions Unnecessary Rule 52 Findings Rule 54 Judgments: Costs Rule 55 Default Rule 56 Summary Judgment Rule 57 Declaratory Judgment Rule 58 Entry of Judgment Rule 59 New Trials; Amendment of Judgments Rule 60 Relief from Judgment or Order Rule 61 Harmless Error Rule 62 Stay of Proceedings to Enforce a Judgment Rule 63 Disability of a Judge Rule 64 Seizure of Property Rule 65 Injunctions Rule 65.1 Security: Proceedings Against Sureties Rule 67 Deposit in Court Rule 68 Offer of Judgment Rule 69 Execution Rule 70 Judgment for Specific Acts : Vesting Title Rule 71 Process in Behalf of and Against Persons Not Parties Rule 71A Condemnation of Property Rule 80 Stenographic Report or Transcript as Evidence Rule 81 Applicability in General Rule 84 Forms Rule 87 Extraordinary Writs: Purpose Rule 88 Rules of Civil Procedure Applicable Rule 89 Preparation of Papers Rule 90 Contents of Petition Rule 91 Service; Submission Rule 92 Action on Petition Rule 93 Response Rule 94 Issuance of Alternative Writ; Service Rule 95 Service of Answer and Reply Rule 96 Hearing Rule 97 Priority Rule 98 Judgment Rule 99 Opposing to Proposed Judgment Rule 100 Determination of Proposed Judgment Rule 101 Issuance of Judgment Rule 102 Notice of Appeal Rule 103 Administrative Review Rule A Scope of Rules Rule B Attachment and Garnishment: Special Provisions Rule C Action in Rem: Special Provisions Rule D Possessory, Petitory, and Partition Actions Rule E Actions in Rem and Quasi in Rem: General Provisions Rule F Limitation of Liability