Rule 43 Communications with the Court; Advice

Court staff are there to help keep cases moving, but they can't act as your lawyer. This rule says you should only contact the court about things that really need the court's attention and can't be figured out another way. Before reaching out, try to solve the issue yourself or check with an attorney.

The rule also makes clear that court staff cannot give legal or procedural advice. This means they won't tell you what forms to file, how to word a document, or what steps to take next in your case. They can answer basic questions about court processes, like where to file paperwork or what the filing deadlines are, but they cannot guide you on legal strategy or explain what the law means for your situation.

If you need advice on how to handle your case, you should talk to an attorney. Court staff have to stay neutral and cannot take sides or help one party more than another, so they keep their role limited to administrative support rather than legal guidance.