District of Columbia procedural guides
Last verified August 17, 2026
Plain-English guides to the District of Columbia Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure, each one tied to the rules it relies on. Every rule named in a guide has its own page with the official text.
- Responding to a D.C. complaint: 21 days, and a 14-day grace on defaultsD.C. Superior Court Rule 12(a) gives 21 days after service to answer, 60 days for government defendants — and a default entered on the court's own initiative does not take effect for 14 days.
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Looking for a specific rule? Browse the full District of Columbia Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure — every rule with its official text, a plain-English summary and FAQs. Guides for other jurisdictions are on the guides index.