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Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure – 2026

The Civil Division's rules, deliberately mirrored on the Federal Rules under the conformity mandate of D.C. Code § 11-946 — a rule that modifies a Federal Rule takes effect only if the Court of Appeals approves it, so federal practice instincts mostly carry over. The answer is due 21 days after service under Rule 12(a)(1)(A), but 60 days for the United States, the District, and their agencies and officers sued in an official capacity. The notable divergence is discovery: Rule 26(a)(1) initial disclosures and 26(a)(3) pretrial disclosures are both [Omitted], leaving only expert disclosures under 26(a)(2), timed by the Rule 16(b) scheduling order. Local additions carry Roman suffixes — Rule 40-I random assignment, Rule 40-II designation to the complex Civil I calendar.

Browse all 150 rules of the 2026 edition organized by section 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.

Sections

TITLE I. SCOPE OF RULES; FORM OF ACTION TITLE II. COMMENCING AN ACTION; SERVICE OF PROCESS, PLEADINGS, TITLE III. PLEADINGS AND MOTIONS TITLE IV. PARTIES TITLE V. DISCLOSURES AND DISCOVERY TITLE VI. TRIALS TITLE VII. JUDGMENT TITLE VIII. PROVISIONAL AND FINAL REMEDIES TITLE IX. SPECIAL PROCEEDINGS TITLE X. SUPERIOR COURT AND CLERK TITLE XI. GENERAL PROVISIONS
TITLE I. SCOPE OF RULES; FORM OF ACTION Rules 1–2 TITLE II. COMMENCING AN ACTION; SERVICE OF PROCESS, PLEADINGS, Rules 3–6-I TITLE III. PLEADINGS AND MOTIONS Rules 7–16-II TITLE IV. PARTIES Rules 17–25 TITLE V. DISCLOSURES AND DISCOVERY Rules 26–37 TITLE VI. TRIALS Rules 38–53-II TITLE VII. JUDGMENT Rules 54–63-I TITLE VIII. PROVISIONAL AND FINAL REMEDIES Rules 64–71 TITLE IX. SPECIAL PROCEEDINGS Rules 71.1–73 TITLE X. SUPERIOR COURT AND CLERK Rules 77–80 TITLE XI. GENERAL PROVISIONS Rules 81–310