12/01/2009 Federal Rules Amendments

Information on 12/01/2009 Federal Rule Amendments

On December 1, 2009, significant changes to the federal rules took effect that have a major impact on the calculation of deadlines in all federal courts. Amendments to the time-computation rules of the FRCP, FRAP, FRCrP and FRBP were made pursuant to the Federal Time Computation Project, the goals of which are to:

  • Simplify time computations
  • Eliminate inconsistencies related to time computation between the Federal rules
  • Clarify the rules related to time computation

The most significant change is the elimination of calculations that count in court days and the replacement of these court day calculations with extended calendar day calculations.


Summary of Key Changes

  • Civil, appellate and criminal rule calculations <11 days no longer counted in court days
  • Bankruptcy rule calculations <8 day no longer counted in court days
  • Addition of provisions for counting periods stated in hours
  • Existing time calculations extended and counted in multiples of 7 in order to compensate for loss of weekend days and so that periods do not end on a weekend
  • Statutory time periods changed