Judicial Conference Proposes Rule Amendments and Schedules Hearings

Regs.gov: Judicial Conference of the United States

Published July 10th, 2025

Detected March 15th, 2026

Summary

The Judicial Conference of the United States, through its Advisory Committees, has proposed amendments to rules governing Appellate, Bankruptcy, Civil, Criminal, and Evidence procedures. Public comment is open from August 15, 2025, to February 16, 2026, with virtual hearings scheduled in January and February 2026.

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What changed

The Judicial Conference of the United States has initiated a public comment period for proposed amendments to several key procedural rules across Appellate, Bankruptcy, Civil, Criminal, and Evidence law. The proposed changes affect specific rules within each area, including Appellate Rule 15, Bankruptcy Rule 2002 and Official Forms B101 and 106C, Civil Rules 7.1, 26, 41, 45, and 81, Criminal Rule 17, and Evidence Rules 609 and a new Rule 707. The full text of these proposals will be available on the Judiciary's website starting August 15, 2025.

Regulated entities and legal professionals are advised to review the proposed amendments and submit written comments by February 16, 2026. Virtual public hearings will be held in January and February 2026 for each respective rule set, with specific dates provided. Those wishing to testify must contact the Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure at least 30 days prior to the hearing date. This consultation process is a critical step before any final rule adoption, allowing for input on significant procedural changes within the federal court system.

What to do next

Review proposed amendments to Appellate, Bankruptcy, Civil, Criminal, and Evidence Rules posted on August 15, 2025.
Submit written comments and suggestions by February 16, 2026.
Register to testify at virtual public hearings by contacting RulesCommittee_Secretary@ao.uscourts.gov at least 30 days before the scheduled hearing date.

Source document (simplified)

Content

ACTION:

Advisory Committees on Appellate, Bankruptcy, Civil, Criminal, and Evidence Rules; notice of proposed amendments and open
hearings.

DATES:

All written comments and suggestions with respect to the proposed amendments may be submitted on or after the opening of the
period for public comment on August 15, 2025, but no later than February 16, 2026.

ADDRESSES:

Written comments must be submitted electronically, following the instructions provided on the website. Comments will be available
to the public.

Virtual public hearings are scheduled on the proposed amendments as follows:

Appellate Rules on January 16, 2026, and February 6, 2026;
Bankruptcy Rules on January 23, 2026, and January 30, 2026;
Civil Rules on January 13, 2026, and January 27, 2026;
Criminal Rules on January 22, 2026 and February 5, 2026; and
Evidence Rules on January 15, 2026, and January 29, 2026. Those wishing to testify must contact the Secretary of the Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure by email at: RulesCommittee_Secretary@ao.uscourts.gov, at least 30 days before the hearing date.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Carolyn A. Dubay, Esq., Chief Counsel, Rules Committee Staff, Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, Thurgood Marshall
Federal Judiciary Building, One Columbus Circle NE, Suite 7-300, Washington, DC 20544, Phone (202) 502-1820, RulesCommittee_Secretary@ao.uscourts.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Advisory Committees on Appellate, Bankruptcy, Civil, Criminal, and Evidence Rules have proposed amendments to the following
rules:

Appellate Rule 15;
Bankruptcy Rule 2002;
Bankruptcy Official Forms B101 and 106C;
Civil Rules 7.1, 26, 41, 45, and 81;
Criminal Rule 17; and
Evidence Rule 609 and new Rule 707. The text of the proposals will be posted on August 15, 2025, on the Judiciary's website at: https://www.uscourts.gov/forms-rules/proposed-amendments-published-public-comment.

(Authority: 28 U.S.C. 2073.)

Dated: July 10, 2025. Shelly L. Cox, Management Analyst, Rules Committee Staff. [FR Doc. 2025-13104 Filed 7-11-25; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 2210-55-P