Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (FRCP)

The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (FRCP) are regulations that specify procedures for civil legal suits within United States federal courts. The Supreme Court establishes or modifies the Rules, usually on the recommendation of the Judicial Conference. Congressional approval is the final step.

The Rules were established in 1938 and are frequently revised, with substantial revisions in 1948, 1963, 1966, 1970, 1980, 1983, 1987, 1993, 2000, and 2006. The purpose of the 2006 revision was to make provisions for the handling of electronic records and accomodate electronic discovery. In 2007, the FRCP were rewritten (although not changed in substance) to simplify the language and make them easier to understand.