Alabama Judicial System

Quick Links

Rule Changes

The following is a series of Rules amendments promulgated by the Supreme Court of Alabama and displayed here in chronological order. A link to the complete set of each Rules is also provided.

Note: to review proposed rules and leave public comments thereto, please visit the Rules Comments page here.

Rules for Expedited Civil Action	Date
Rules for Expedited Civil Action	09/23/2016

Rules of Appellate Procedure View Complete Set of Rules	Date
Amendments to Rules 39 and 40	09/15/2008
Amendment to Rule 4 Effective February 1, 2009	12/10/2008
Amendment to Rule 26	12/18/2008
Amendment to Rule 35A Effective October 1, 2009	08/25/2009
Amendment to Interim Electronic Filing and Service Rule(J)	09/18/2009
Amendment to Rule 28(d)(8), 32(a) and 52. Effective June 1, 2010	03/01/2010
Adoption of Rule 56. Effective June 1, 2010
Amendment to Rules 11(a)(3), 25, 26(a), 31, 32(a)(7) and 11(a)(4) [Rescinded]. Effective October 1, 2010 Adoption of Rule 57. Effective October 1, 2010	09/29/2010
Amendment to Rule 21(a)(1)(E). Effective August 1, 2015	05/07/2015
Amendment to Rule 29	05/07/2015
Amendment to Rules 22, 28(a)5), 32(a)(7) and 40(f). Effective August 1, 2015	05/07/2015
Amendment to Rules 3(d)(1), 11(c), 39(d)(4) and 57(j)(1). Effective August 1, 2015	05/07/2015
Amendment to Rules 32 (b)(4), 5(b), 5(d), 39(e). Effective October 13, 2015	10/13/2015
Amendment to Rules 2(c), 3(c), and 28. Effective January 1, 2017	09/20/2016
Amendment to Rule 5(b), Adoption of Rule 21(f). Effective January 1, 2018	10/19/2017
Amendment to Rules 1 and 11(c). Effective June 15, 2018	06/15/2018
Amendment to Rule 3(a), Rule 3(d), Rule 3(e), Rule 12(a), Rule 35A(a)(1) and Rule 35A(b). Effective October 1, 2019	07/01/2019
Amendments to Rule 5(b)(2) and Rule 21(a)(1) and adoption on Committee Comments to amendments to Rule 5(b)(2) and Rule 21(a)(1). Effective April 1, 2020	01/30/2020
Amendment to Rules 5(e), 21(d), 27(d), 28(a), 28(j), 28A(c), 28B,, 32, 39(d), 40(f), and 40(g). Effective October 1, 2020.	07/27/2020
Amendments to Rule 31(b) and Rule 57(h)(2). Effective November 10, 2020	11/12/2020
Amendment to Rules 2(b), 5(b)(2), 21(a)(1)(F), and 28B. Effective January 1, 2021.	12/01/2020
Amendment to Rule 28(j). Effective May 3, 2021	05/03/2021
Amendment to Rule 28(d)(6), Rule 32(a)(3)(A), and Rule 32(a)(4). Effective July 9, 2021.	07/09/2021
Adoption of Rule 21(g) and Rule 27(e). Effective August 1, 2021	07/09/2021
Amendment to Rule 25(a)(2), Rule 57(d)(2), and Rule 57(h)(2), Ala. R. App. P. Effective April 1, 2022	03/28/2022
Amendment Rule 27(a), Rule 27(d), and Rule 32(b)(5), Alabama Rules of Appellate Procedures. Effective January 1, 2023.	12/02/2022
Amendment to Rule 34(f), Ala. R. App. P. Effective February 2, 2023	01/13/2023
Amendment to Rule Rule 8(d)(1), Alabama Rules of Appellate Procedures. Effective immediately.	01/13/2023
Amendment to Rule 45A, Alabama Rules of Appellate Procedures. Effective immediately.	01/13/2023
Amendment to Rule 39(d)(5), Rule 40(e), Rule 53, and Rule 54, Ala. R. App. P., effective October 1, 2023.	04/04/2023
Order amending Rule 5(e), Rule 21(d), Rule 27(d), Rule 31(b), Rule 39(e), and Rule 57 and adopting the Court Comment to the amendment of Rule 57, Alabama Rules of Appellate Procedure. The amendments of Rule 5(e), Rule 21(d), Rule 27(d), Rule 31(b), Rule 39(e), and Rule 57 and the adoption of the Court Comment to the amendment of Rule 57 are effective January 1, 2024	10/20/2023
Order amending Rule 10, Rule 11, Rule 21(a)(1)(F), and Rule 44, Alabama Rules of Appellate Procedure, and adopting the Committee Comments to the amendments of Rule 10, Rule 11, and Rule 44, effective immediately.	03/07/2024
Amendment to Rule 28(j)(1), Alabama Rules of Appellate Procedure, and adoption of the Committee Comment thereto, effective October 1, 2024	06/27/2024

Rules of Judicial Administration View Complete Set of Rules	Date
Amendment to Rule 5	12/18/2008
Amendment to Rule 29	05/29/2009
Amendment to Rule 3	07/27/2009
Amendments to rules 32(A)(4) and 32(B)(7) Effective March 1, 2009	02/25/2009
Amendment to Rule 19 Paragraph (E)	10/30/2009
Amendment to Rule 20 Appendix B	09/13/2010
Amendment to Rule 20	07/13/2012
Amendment to Rule 20 Appendix B	07/13/2012
Amendment to Rule 41 Dated 07/13/2012 [Rescinded], Amended with Appendix.	07/30/2012
Amendment to Rule 20(A)	11/26/2012
Amendment to Rule 32 and Form CS-41. Effective April 1, 2015	02/11/2015
Amendment to Rule 41(A)	05/06/2015
Amendment to Rules 4, I (C), Effective 10/01/2016	09/06/2016
Amendment to Rule 20 Appendix B	05/02/2017
Amendment to Rule 32(B)(9). Effective June 1, 2018	03/02/2018
Comment to Rule 32(B)(9). Effective June 1, 2018.	05/01/2018
Amendment to Rule 39. Effective September 20, 2018	09/20/2018
Amendment to Rule 32.1 and Adoption of Committee Comments to Rule 32.1. Effective October 5, 2018.	10/05/2018
Amendment to Rule 19, Attachment One. Effective November 30, 2018.	11/30/2018
Adoption of Rule 44. Effective December 3, 2018.	12/03/2018
Amendment to Rule 32(A)(1) and Adoption of Committee Comments to Rule 32(A)(1). Effective January 1, 2019.	01/01/2019
Amendment to Rule 32, associated forms, and Adoption of Committee Comments to the Amendment to Rule 32. Effective July 1, 2019.	01/03/2019
Amendment to Rule 13, and Adoption of Committee Comments to Rule 13. Effective November 8, 2019.	11/08/2019
Amendments to Rule 20(A) and Appendix B to Rule 20, effective January 30, 2020.	01/30/2020
Adoption of Rule 45, Commercial Mail Carriers. Effective February 26, 2020.	02/26/2020
Adoption of Rule 46, Juror Selection and Qualification, effective July 15, 2020.	07/15/2020
Amendments to Rule 20(A) and Appendix to Rule 32.1. Effective December 16, 2021.	12/16/2021
Adopting Rule 47, Alabama Rules of Judicial Administration. Effective December 30, 2021.	12/30/2021
Amendment to Rule 32. Effective May 1, 2022.	01/14/2022
Amendment to Rule 29. Effective May 1, 2022.	01/21/2022
Amendment to Rule 14. Effective April 1, 2022.	03/25/2022
Amendment to Rule 20(A). Effective July 11, 2022.	07/11/2022
Amendment to the preface relating to the scope of Rule 32, Alabama Rules of Judicial Administration, Rule 32(B)(7)(d), Rule 32(B)(7)(e), and Rule 32(E), the adoption of Rule 32(C)(7) and Form CS-42-S, and the adoption of the Committee Comments thereto. Effective June 1, 2023.	03/03/2023
Adoption of Rule 20(B), Alabama Rules of Judicial Administration. Effective April 11, 2024.	04/11/2024
Amendment to Rule 20(A), Alabama Rules of Judicial Administration, effective immediately.	06/18/2024
Amendment to Rule 20(A) and Rule 20B(f), effective October 1, 2024.	09/26/2024

Rules of Civil Procedure View Complete Set of Rules	Date
Amended Rules 3-6, 11, 55, 58-59, 77, and 79	10/24/2008
Amendment to Rule 71 Effective February 1. 2009	12/10/2008
Amendment to Rules 52, 55, 58, and 59	05/29/2009
Amendment to Rules 16, 26, 33(c), 34, 45 and Form 51A	11/04/2009
Amendment to Rule 34 Appendix G	11/18/2009
Amendment to Rule 27(a)(2)	04/16/2010
Amendment to Rule 5(d)	04/16/2010
Amendment to Rule 64A and Rule 64B Effective October 1, 2010	07/22/2010
Amendment to Rule 11. Adoption of Rule 87	03/26/2012
Adoption of Rule 5.1	03/26/2012
Amendment to Rules 6(dc), 12(dc), 52(dc), 55(dc), 59(dc) and 62(dc)	11/28/2012
Amendment to Rules 1(a), 45(b)(1) and 82(d)(3). Adoption of Rule 58(d)	12/06/2012
Amendment to Rules 47(b). Effective January 12, 2015	01/12/2015
Amendment to Rule 64B Appendix A and Appendix B	05/06/2015
Amendment to Rule 4 Appendix A and Appendix B. Effective July 1, 2016	02/19/2016
Amendment to Rule 45(b)(1) Appendix A and Appendix B. Effective July 1, 2016	02/19/2016
Amendment to Rule 64A and Form 92. Effective April 7, 2017	04/07/2017
Amendment to Rule 64A. Effective July 6, 2017	07/06/2017
Adoption of Committee Comments to Rule 83. Effective September 20, 2018	09/20/2018
Amendment to Rule 26(b)(1), 26(b)(2), 26(c), and Rule 37(g), and adoption of the Committee Comments. Effective December 21, 2018	12/21/2018
Amendment to Rule 59.1. Effective October 01, 2020	07/28/2020
Amendment to Rule Rule 30(b). Effective November 23, 2020	11/23/2020
Amendment to Rule 43. Effective November 23, 2020	11/23/2020
Amendment to Rule 43(dc). Effective March 25, 2021	03/25/2021
Amendment to Rule 23. Effective May 01, 2021	03/31/2021
Adoption of the Committee Comments to Rule 64A, Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure. Effective immediately	12/02/2022
Amendment to 55(b)(2), Ala. R. Civ. P. and adoption of the Committee Comments thereto effective May 1, 2023.	03/20/2023
Amendment to Rule 4(i)(2)(D), adoption of Rule 4(i)(3), and amendment to Rule 45(b)(1), adoption of the Committee Comments thereto, and adoption of Form 1C. and Form 1D, effective August 14, 2023.	08/15/2023

Rules of Professional Conduct View Complete Set of Rules	Date
Adoption of Rules 6.5 and 6.6	12/11/2008
Amendment to Rule 8.3 Effective August 1, 2011	07/13/2011
Amendment to Rules 1.1, 1.2(c),4.2 and 4.3	03/26/2012
Amendment to Rules 1.15 and 4.2	07/16/2012
Amendment to Rule 1.15(e). Effective January 12, 2015	01/12/2015
Amendment to Rule 1.15. Effective May 22, 2019	05/22/2019
Amendment to Rule 1.15, Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct, effective February 15, 2025.	12/23/2024

Rules of Juvenile Procedure View Complete Set of Rules	Date
Amendment to Rule 12, Rule 15 and Rule 25	11/02/2009
Adoption of Rule 5.1 and Court Comment	04/27/2011
Amendments to Rules 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 15.1, 17, 18, 20, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, and 31. Adoption of Rule 8.1. Rule 27 and 29 rescinded. Effective October 1, 2011.	07/14/2011
Amendments to Rules 1, 2, 3, 5, 5.1, 6, 8, 8.1, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 20, 24, 26, 28, and 31. Rule 2.1 rescinded. Effective July 1, 2014.	05/01/2014
Amendment to Rule 1(B), Rule 14, and Rule 28 and Adoption of the Comment to Rule 1(B), Rule 14, and Rule 28. Effective January 30, 2020.	01/30/2020
Amendment to Rule 13. Effective February 1, 2021.	10/23/2020
Adoption of Rule 33, Ala. R. Juv. P. and the Committee Comments. Effective October 6, 2021.	10/06/2021

Rules of Criminal Procedure View Complete Set of Rules	Date
Amendment to Rule 1.3(a)	10/30/2009
Amended Comments to Rule 26.3	04/16/2010
Amendment to Rule 18.4(g) and 32.6. Adoption of Rule 32.7(e)	11/28/2012
Amendment to Rules 21.1 and 26.1	05/07/2015
Amendment to Rule 7.2(b). Effective January 1, 2017	11/22/2016
Amendment to Rule 2.4. Effective June 10, 2019	06/10/2019
Amendment to Rule 2.3, 4.3, 4.4, and 7.4. Effective February 1, 2021	10/27/2020
Amendment to Rule 7.2(b). Effective January 14, 2022.	01/14/2022
Amendment to Rule 7.2(a) and Rule 7.2(b), Ala. R. Crim. P. and adoption of the Committee Comments thereto effective March 16, 2023.	03/16/2023
Amendment of Rule 3.8 and Rule 3.9, Ala. R. Crim. P., and the adoption of the Committee Comments thereto effective February 1, 2024.	12/12/2023
Amendment of Rule 26.11(i)(3), Ala. R. Crim. P., and the adoption of the Committee Comment thereto effective December 12, 2023	12/12/2023
Order amending Rule 3.4 and 32.1(f), Alabama Rules of Criminal Procedure, and adopting the Committee Comments to Rule 4.3, Alabama Rules of Criminal Procedure, effective immediately.	03/28/2024

Rules of Procedure of the Judicial Inquiry Commission View Complete Set of Rules	Date
Amendment to Rule 5.C., Rule 6, and Rule 19	04/01/2010
Special Writing by Smith, J.
Special Writing by Bolin, J.
Dissent by Cobb, C.J., with exhibit "Alabama: Report on the Judicial Discipline System" (by the American Bar Association's Standing Committee on Professional Discipline)
Alabama Report on the Judicial Discipline System	03/2009
Full Text of Rules of Procedure of the Judicial Inquiry Commission with changes noted by strikeout and highlighting	04/01/2010
Order amending Rule 1(h), Rule 6.G., and Rule 7.D., Rules of Procedure of Judicial Inquiry Commission, effective immediately.	04/30/2024

Rules of Procedure for the Alabama Court of the Judiciary View Complete Set of Rules	Date
Amendment to Rule 5, Rule 9, and Rule 16 Order Special Writings by Lyons, J. Amendments	04/01/2010
Full Text of Rules of Procedure for the Alabama Court of the Judiciary with changes noted by strikeout and highlighting	04/01/2010
Amendment to Rule 21 and Rule 26, effective immediately.	05/25/2023
Order amending Rule 1(d), Rules of Procedure for the Alabama Court of the Judiciary, and adopting the Court Note thereto, effective immediately.	03/28/2024

Rules for Mandatory Continuing Judicial Education View Complete Set of Rules	Date
Repeal of Rules for Mandatory Continuing Judicial Education and adoption of Rules for Mandatory Judicial Education for Municipal Court Judges, Municipal Magistrates/Clerk, and Probate Judges	11/18/2013
Amendment to Regulations 2.7 and 4.1. Adoption of Regulation 3.9. Effective September 20, 2018	09/20/2018
Adoption of Rules for Mandatory Continuing Judicial Education for Supreme Court Justices, Appellate Court Judges, Circuit Court Judges, and District Court Judges of Alabama. Effective January 1, 2022	12/16/2021
Order amending Regulation 5.5, Alabama Rules for Mandatory Continuing Legal Education, effective from October 3, 2024, through December 31, 2024	10/03/2024
Order amending Rule 2.C.2, Rules for Mandatory Continuing Legal Education, effective October 21, 2024	10/22/2024
Order amending Regulation 5.5, Rules for Mandatory Continuing Legal Education, effective January 1, 2025	12/23/2024

Rules of Evidence View Complete Set of Rules	Date
Amendment to Rule 702 Appendix A, B and C. Effective January 1, 2012	11/29/2011
Amendments to Rules 404(a), 405(a), 407, 408, 412, 510, 608(b), 703, 801(d), 803(6), 804(b) and 1103. Effective October 1, 2013	08/15/2013
Amendments to Advisory Committee Notes to Rule 503(A) (d)(3); Advisory Committee Notes to Rule 803, paragraphs (7) and (8); and Rule 803(16); Advisory Committee Notes to Rule 803(16); Rule 902(13) and Rule 902(14); and Advisory Committee Notes to Adoption of Rule 902(13) and Rule 902(14). Effective January 30, 2020	01/30/2020
Amendment to Rule 404(b), Alabama Rules of Evidence, and the adoption of the Advisory Committee's Notes thereto. Effective May 1, 2023.	03/03/2023
Amendment to Rule 803(10), Alabama Rules of Evidence, and the adoption of the Advisory Committee's Notes thereto. Effective May 1, 2023.	03/03/2023
Order amending Rule 106, Alabama Rules of Evidence, and adopting the Advisory Committee's Notes thereto, effective July 15, 2024.	07/15/2024

Rules Governing Admission to the Alabama State Bar View Complete Set of Rules	Date
Amendments to Rules Governing Admission to the Alabama State Bar	01/11/2013
Amendment to Rule VI(B)	08/15/2013
Amendment to Rule V. Effective January 12, 2015	01/12/2015
Amendments to Rules 1, 2, 3, 5, 6(B), and Appendix. Effective January 19, 2017	01/19/2017
Amendment to Rules II, III, IV, V, VI(B), & Appendix, Rules Governing Admission to the Bar. Effective October 5, 2018	10/05/2018
Rule III.A, effective January 30, 2020	01/30/2020
Amendments to Rule II.B, Rule IV.C, Rule V.B, Rule VI(A), and Rule VI(B)A(3), effective October 1, 2020	02/21/2020
Rule VII.G, Annual Certification, effective October 1, 2020	07/23/2020
Order amending Rule II.C.(2) and Rule VI(B), Rules Governing Admission to the Alabama State Bar, effective October 21, 2024	10/22/2024

Rules of Disciplinary Procedure View Complete Set of Rules	Date
Amendments to Rules 4(a)(1), 4.2(a)(1) and 4.2(a)(4). Effective October 29, 2014	10/29/2014
Amendments to Rules 9(a) and 9(b). Effective January 12, 2015	01/12/2015
Amendment to Rule 12(f). Effective January 12, 2015	01/12/2015
Amendment to Rule 8(a) and (b), 10(a) and (b), 17(f), 18, 26(h)(2), 28(e), and Appendix A. Effective January 1, 2017	09/20/2016
Amendments to Rules 4.2(b) and 28(c). Effective August 16, 2017	08/16/2017
Amendment to Rules 33(a) and 33(d). Effective January 1, 2018	10/12/2017
Amendment to Rules 26(e), 27(j), and 30(b). Effective April 11, 2018	04/11/2018
Amendment to Rules Rule 3(c), Rule 9(c), Rule 10(c), Rule 11(c), Rule 12, Rule 20(d), Rule 27(d), Rule 28(j), and Rule 30(a)(1). Effective July 23, 2021	07/23/2021
Amendment to Rules 4, Rule 4.2, and Rule 5, and recission of Rule 4.1. Effective immediately.	01/05/2023

Rules of Privilege in Collaborative Law Practice View Complete Set of Rules	Date
Adoption of Alabama Rules of Privilege in Collaborative Law Practice	02/09/2015
Order Abolishing the Collaborative Law Committee (Only the Committee itself is abolished, not the Rules themselves.)	09/06/2018

Canons of Judicial Ethics View Complete Set of Canons	Date
Amendment to Commentary to Canon 1, Canon 2, Canon 3.A(6) and Commentary to 3.A(6)	07/01/2019
Amendment of Canon 3.A(7) and Canon 3.A(7B), Alabama Canons of Judicial Ethics, and of the Media Coverage Plan of the Supreme Court of Alabama, effective immediately.	04/04/2023
Amendments to Canon 3.A(5) and Canon 6.C., effective June 12, 2024	06/12/2024
Amendment to Canon 6.C., effective January 1, 2025	10/31/2024

Rules of Civil Court Mediation View Complete Set of Rules	Date
Amendment to Rule 4 and Adoption of the Comment to Rule 4, effective April 4, 2020.	01/30/2020

Alabama Small Claims Rules View Complete Set of Rules	Date
Amendment to Rule F, effective August 14, 2023".	08/15/2023

Alabama State Bar Client Security Fund Rules View Complete Set of Rules	Date
Order amending Rule IX, Alabama State Bar Client Security Fund Rules, effective immediately.	03/01/2024

Alabama Rules of Court-Record Privacy and Confidentiality	Date
Order adopting the Alabama Rules of Court-Record Privacy and Confidentiality and the Task Force's Notes thereto, effective January 1, 2025.	12/23/2024

Alabama Appellate Courts

Quick Links

Rule Changes

Rules for Expedited Civil Action

Rules of Appellate Procedure

Rules of Judicial Administration

Rules of Civil Procedure

Rules of Professional Conduct

Rules of Juvenile Procedure

Rules of Criminal Procedure

Rules of Procedure of the Judicial Inquiry Commission

Rules of Procedure for the Alabama Court of the Judiciary

Rules for Mandatory Continuing Judicial Education

Rules of Evidence

Rules Governing Admission to the Alabama State Bar

Rules of Disciplinary Procedure

Rules of Privilege in Collaborative Law Practice

Canons of Judicial Ethics

Rules of Civil Court Mediation

Alabama Small Claims Rules

Alabama State Bar Client Security Fund Rules

Alabama Rules of Court-Record Privacy and Confidentiality

Court Information

Contact Information

About OurJudicial System