# Super. Ct. Civ. R. 1: Rule 1. Scope and Purpose

> District of Columbia · Court rules · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DC_SUPCIV_R1

## Section

- **Citation:** Super. Ct. Civ. R. 1
- **Heading:** Rule 1. Scope and Purpose
- **Jurisdiction:** District of Columbia
- **Kind:** Court rules
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** District of Columbia Court Rules / Civil Division / Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure / Super. Ct. Civ. R. 1

## Text

These rules govern the procedure in all civil actions and proceedings in the Civil
Division of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, with the exception of cases in
the Landlord and Tenant Branch and the Small Claims and Conciliation Branch of the
court and other exceptions stated in Rule 81. They should be construed, administered,
and employed by the court and the parties to secure the just, speedy, and inexpensive
determination of every action and proceeding.
COMMENT TO 2017 AMENDMENTS
This rule was amended consistent with the 2007 and 2015 amendments to Federal
Rule of Civil Procedure 1. The addition of the phrase “employed by the court and the
parties” is intended to emphasize that the court, parties, and attorneys are all
responsible for using these rules to achieve the stated goals.
COMMENT
This Rule parallels Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 1 but has been modified to
reflect applicability to appropriate cases in the Superior Court. Note that these Rules do
not, by their own terms, extend to cases in the Landlord and Tenant Branch or the Small
Claims and Conciliation Branch; however, the separate Rules for those respective
branches do designate certain of these Rules for incorporation by reference therein.
Further, the scope of these rules will necessarily be expanded in the future as new rules
are promulgated to govern procedure in areas (such as probate) over which the court
receives jurisdiction in subsequent increments. See D.C. Code (1967 Edition,
Supplement IV) § 11-921.
The phrase "these Rules" refers to the entire body of Superior Court Rules of Civil
Procedure, those derived from the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and those purely
local Rules bearing numbers above 100. Any reference herein to a particular Rule, as,
for example, "Rule 69" comprehends both the original Rule and any addenda thereto,
e.g., "69-I" and "69-II".

## Nearby sections

- [Super. Ct. Civ. R. 1 Rule 1. Scope and Purpose](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DC_SUPCIV_R1.md)
- [Super. Ct. Civ. R. 2 Rule 2. One Form of Action](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DC_SUPCIV_R2.md)
- [Super. Ct. Civ. R. 3 Rule 3. Commencing an Action](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DC_SUPCIV_R3.md)
- [Super. Ct. Civ. R. 3-I Rule 3-I. Actions Involving Real Property](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DC_SUPCIV_R3_I.md)
- [Super. Ct. Civ. R. 4 Rule 4. Summons](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DC_SUPCIV_R4.md)
- [Super. Ct. Civ. R. 4-I Rule 4-I. Service by Publication](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DC_SUPCIV_R4_I.md)
- [Super. Ct. Civ. R. 4.1 Rule 4.1. Serving Other Process](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DC_SUPCIV_R4_1.md)
- [Super. Ct. Civ. R. 5 Rule 5. Serving and Filing Pleadings and Other Papers](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DC_SUPCIV_R5.md)
- [Super. Ct. Civ. R. 5-I Rule 5-I. Proof of Service](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DC_SUPCIV_R5_I.md)
- [Super. Ct. Civ. R. 5-II Rule 5-II. Pleadings and Orders Affecting Estates of Veterans](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DC_SUPCIV_R5_II.md)
- [Super. Ct. Civ. R. 5-III Rule 5-III. Sealed or Confidential Documents](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DC_SUPCIV_R5_III.md)
- [Super. Ct. Civ. R. 5.1 Rule 5.1. Challenge to Validity or Constitutionality of a District of Columbia Statute, Order, Regulation, or Enactment—Constitutional Challenge to a Federal or State Statute—Notice, Certification, and Intervention](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DC_SUPCIV_R5_1.md)
- [Super. Ct. Civ. R. 5.1-I Rule 5.1-I. Intervention by the United States or the District of Columbia](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DC_SUPCIV_R5_1_I.md)
- [Super. Ct. Civ. R. 5.2 Rule 5.2. Privacy Protection for Filings Made with the Court](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DC_SUPCIV_R5_2.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DC_SUPCIV_R1. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.