Cooperation with Private Litigants

It is the longstanding policy of the Department of Justice to avoid providing legal advice or information to private litigants developed through our investigations. It is appropriate, however, to advise private citizens who are not litigants of their rights under the federal laws that the Attorney General is authorized to enforce, including the citizens’ right to be represented by private attorneys. In addition, in cases in which the United States is a co-litigant with a private plaintiff, it is appropriate to consult with the co-litigant about evidence the United States expects to submit to the court and otherwise to cooperate and share information with the co-litigant where doing so advances the interest of the United States and is consistent with applicable law and the rules of the court.

[updated March 2018]