# Justice Manual § 8-2.160: Cooperation with Private Litigants

> Federal · Agency guidance · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S8-2.160

## Section

- **Citation:** Justice Manual § 8-2.160
- **Heading:** Cooperation with Private Litigants
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Agency guidance
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** DOJ Justice Manual / Title 8: Civil Rights / 8-2.000 - Enforcement Of Civil Rights Civil Statutes / Justice Manual § 8-2.160

## Text

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]

## Nearby sections

- [Justice Manual § 8-2.010 General Procedures](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S8-2.010.md)
- [Justice Manual § 8-2.100 Civil Rights Matters](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S8-2.100.md)
- [Justice Manual § 8-2.110 Pre-Investigation Review and Investigations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S8-2.110.md)
- [Justice Manual § 8-2.120 Institution of Civil Proceedings—Authorization](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S8-2.120.md)
- [Justice Manual § 8-2.130 Litigation and Trial](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S8-2.130.md)
- [Justice Manual § 8-2.140 Intervention](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S8-2.140.md)
- [Justice Manual § 8-2.150 Appeals](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S8-2.150.md)
- [Justice Manual § 8-2.160 Cooperation with Private Litigants](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S8-2.160.md)
- [Justice Manual § 8-2.170 Standards for Amicus Participation and Statements of Interest](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S8-2.170.md)
- [Justice Manual § 8-2.210 Employment Litigation Section](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S8-2.210.md)
- [Justice Manual § 8-2.211 Employment Litigation Section—Affirmative Suits Under Title VII](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S8-2.211.md)
- [Justice Manual § 8-2.212 Employment Litigation Section—Affirmative Suits Under Executive Orders 11246, as Amended](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S8-2.212.md)
- [Justice Manual § 8-2.213 Employment Litigation Section—Affirmative Suits under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S8-2.213.md)
- [Justice Manual § 8-2.214 Employment Litigation Section—Defensive Suits](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S8-2.214.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S8-2.160. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.