Superior Court Amends Civil Procedure Rule 54-II and Domestic Relations Rule 54-II

June 20, 2023

On June 20 the Superior Court of the District of Columbia issued Promulgation Order 23-03 amending Rule of Civil Procedure 54-II and Promulgation Order 23-04 amending Rule 54-II of the Rules Governing Domestic Relations Proceedings. The rules have been substantially amended and reorganized to implement the Expanding Fee Waivers for Low-Income Litigants Amendment Act of 2022. Among major changes, the amendments significantly expand the circumstances under which litigants may qualify for an automatic fee waiver under D.C. Code § 15-712(a)(1). Also, revised section (h) includes new statutory deadlines for deciding fee waiver applications. The amendments take effect immediately.