Congress has taken no action on the proposed amendments to the Federal Rules of Appellate, Bankruptcy, and Civil Procedure, and the Federal Rules of Evidence, adopted by the Supreme Court and transmitted to Congress on April 27, 2020. Under the Rules Enabling Act, 28 U.S.C. §§ 2071-75, the following take effect today, December 1, 2020:
Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure
Rule 35 - En Banc Determination
Rule 40 - Petition for Panel Rehearing
Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure
Rule 2002 - Notices to Creditors, Equity Security Holders, Administrators in Foreign Proceedings, Persons Against Whom Provisional Relief is Sought in Ancillary and Other Cross-Border Cases, United States, and United States Trustee
Rule 2004 - Examination
Rule 8013 - Motions; Intervention
Rule 8015 - Form and Length of Briefs; Form of Appendices and Other Papers
Rule 8021 - Costs
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
Rule 30 - Depositions by Oral Examination
Federal Rules of Evidence
Rule 404 - Character Evidence; Other Crimes, Wrongs, or Acts
Under 28 U.S.C. §§ 2074(a) and 2075, and the Supreme Court orders dated April 27, 2020, the amendments govern all proceedings commenced on or after December 1, 2020, and all proceedings then pending “insofar as just and practicable.” The text of the new and amended rules, and the accompanying committee notes—along with extensive supporting documentation related to their adoption—are posted on the “Current Rules” page of the Judiciary’s website at: http://www.uscourts.gov/rules-policies/current-rules-practice-procedure.