RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE
FOR THE
TRIAL DIVISION OF THE SUPREME COURT
OF THE FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA

 TABLE OF CONTENTS
 

I.  SCOPE OF RULES ) ONE FORM OF ACTION
     Rule 1.  Scope of Rules
 
     Rule 2.  One form of Action

II.  COMMENCEMENT OF ACTION: SERVICE OF PROCESS PLEADINGS, MOTIONS AND ORDERS
     Rule 3.  Commencement of Action
 
     Rule 4.  Process
          Rule 4(a)  Summons - Issuance
          Rule 4(b)  Same; Form
          Rule 4(c)  By Whom Served
          Rule 4(d)  Summons and Complaint: Personal Service and Service by Mail
          Rule 4(e)  Same: Service Upon Party not Inhabitant or Found Within State
          Rule 4(f)   Territorial Limits of Effective Service
          Rule 4(g)  Return
          Rule 4(h)  Amendment
          Rule 4(i)   Alternative Provisions for Service in a Foreign Country
          Rule 4(j)   Summons: Time Limit for Service
 
     Rule 5.  Service and Filing of Pleadings and other Papers
          Rule 5(a)  Service:  When Required
          Rule 5(b)  Same:  How Made
          Rule 5(c)  Same:  Numerous Defendants
          Rule 5(d)  Filing
          Rule 5(e)  Filing with the Court Defined
 
     Rule 6.  Time
          Rule 6(a)  Computation
          Rule 6(b)  Enlargement
          Rule 6(c)  Vacant
          Rule 6(d)  For Motions - Affidavits
          Rule 6(e)  Additional Time After Service by Mail

III.  PLEADINGS AND MOTIONS
     Rule 7.  Pleadings Allowed; Form of Motions
          Rule 7(a)  Pleadings
          Rule 7(b)  Motions and Other Papers
 
     Rule 8.  General Rules of Pleading
          Rule 8(a)  Claims for Relief
          Rule 8(b)  Defenses; Form of Denials
          Rule 8(c)  Affirmative Defenses
          Rule 8(d)  Effect of Failure to Deny
          Rule 8(e)  Pleadings to be Concise and Direct Consistency
          Rule 8(f)   Construction of Pleadings
 
     Rule 9.  Pleading Special Matters
          Rule 9(a)  Capacity
          Rule 9(b)  Fraud, Mistake, Condition of the Mind
          Rule 9(c)  Conditions Precedent
          Rule 9(d)  Official Document or Act
          Rule 9(e)  Judgment
          Rule 9(f)   Time and Place
          Rule 9(g)  Special Damage
          Rule 9(h)  Admiralty and Maritime Claims
 
     Rule 10.  Form of Pleadings
          Rule 10(a)  Caption: Name of Parties
          Rule 10(b)  Paragraphs; Separate Statements
          Rule 10(c)  Adoption by Reference; Exhibits
 
     Rule 11.  Signing of Pleadings
 
     Rule 12.  Defenses and Objections Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings
          Rule 12(a)  When Presented
          Rule 12(b)  How Presented
          Rule 12(c)  Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings
          Rule 12(d)  Preliminary Hearings
          Rule 12(e)  Motion for More Definite Statement
          Rule 12(f)   Motion to Strike
          Rule 12(g)  Consolidation of Defenses in Motion
          Rule 12(h)  Waiver or Preservation of Certain Defenses
 
     Rule 13.  Counterclaim and Cross Claim
          Rule 13(a)  Compulsory Counterclaims
          Rule 13(b)  Permissive Counterclaims
          Rule 13(c)  Counterclaim Exceeding Opposing Claim
          Rule 13(d)  Counterclaim Against the FSM
          Rule 13(e)  Counterclaim Maturing or Acquired After Pleading
          Rule 13(f)   Omitted Counterclaim
          Rule 13(g)  Cross Claim Against Co-Party
          Rule 13(h)  Joinder of Additional Parties
          Rule 13(i)   Separate Trials; Separate Judgments
 
     Rule 14.  Third-Party Practice
          Rule 14(a)  When Defendant May Bring in Third Party
          Rule 14(b)  When Plaintiff May Bring in Third Party
          Rule 14(c)  Admiralty and Maritime Claims
 
     Rule 15.  Amended and Supplemental Pleadings
          Rule 15(a)  Amendments
          Rule 15(b)  Amendments to Conform to the Evidence
          Rule 15(c)  Relation Back of Amendments
          Rule 15(d)  Supplemental Pleadings
 
     Rule 16.  Pre-Trial Procedure; Formulating Issues
 
IV.  PARTIES
     Rule 17.  Parties Plaintiff and Defendant; Capacity
          Rule 17(a)  Real Party in Interest
          Rule 17(b)  Vacant
          Rule 17(c)  Infants or Incompetent Persons
 
     Rule 18.  Joinder of Claims and Remedies
          Rule 18(a)  Joinder of Claims
          Rule 18(b)  Joinder of Remedies; Fraudulent Conveyances
 
     Rule 19.  Joinder of Persons Needed for Just Adjudication
          Rule 19(a)  Persons to be Joined if Feasible
          Rule 19(b)  Determination by Court Whenever Joinder not Feasible
          Rule 19(c)  Pleading Reasons for Nonjoinder
          Rule 19(d)  Exception of Class Action
 
     Rule 20.  Permissive Joinder of Parties
          Rule 20(a)  Permissive Joinder
          Rule 20(b)  Separate Trials
 
     Rule 21.  Misjoinder and Non-Joinder of Parties
 
     Rule 22.  Interpleader
 
     Rule 23.  Class Actions
          Rule 23(a)  Prerequisites to a Class Action
          Rule 23(b)  Class Actions Maintainable
                Rule 23(c)  Determination by Order Whether Class Action to be Maintained; Notice; Judgment; Actions Conducted Partially as Class Actions
          Rule 23(d)  Orders in Conduct of Actions
          Rule 23(e)  Dismissal or Compromise
 
     Rule 23.1.  Derivative Actions by Shareholders
 
     Rule 23.2.  Actions Relating to Unincorporated Associations
 
     Rule 24.  Intervention
          Rule 24(a)  Intervention of Right
          Rule 24(b)  Permissive Intervention
          Rule 24(c)  Procedure
 
     Rule 25.  Substitution of Parties
          Rule 25(a)  Death
          Rule 25(b)  Incompetency
          Rule 25(c)  Transfer of Interest
          Rule 25(d)  Public Officers; Death or Separation From Office

V.  DEPOSITIONS AND DISCOVERY
     Rule 26.  General Provisions Governing Discovery
          Rule 26(a)  Discovery Methods     
          Rule 26(b)  Scope of Discovery     
          Rule 26(c)  Protective Orders     
          Rule 26(d)  Sequence and Timing of Discovery     
          Rule 26(e)  Supplementation of Responses    
          Rule 26(f)   Vacant    
          Rule 26(g)  Signing of Discovery Requests, Responses, and Objections     
 
     Rule 27.  Deposition Before Action or Pending Appeal
          Rule 27(a)  Before Action     
          Rule 27(b)  Pending Appeal    
          Rule 27(c)  Perpetuation by Action     
 
     Rule 28.  Persons Before Whom Depositions May Be Taken
          Rule 28(a)  Within the Federated States of Micronesia
          Rule 28(b)  In Foreign Countries
          Rule 28(c)  Disqualification for Interest
 
      Rule 29.  Stipulations Regarding Discovery Procedure
 
      Rule 30.  Depositions Upon Oral Examination    
          Rule 30(a)  When Depositions May Be Taken     
                Rule 30(b)  Notice of Examination; General Requirements; Special Notice; Non-Stenographic Recording; Production of Documents and Things; Deposition of Organization    
                Rule 30(c)  Examination and Cross Examination Record of Examination; Oath; Objections     
          Rule 30(d)  Motion to Terminate or Limit Examination     
          Rule 30(e)  Submission to Witness; Changes; Signing     
          Rule 30(f)   Certification and filing by officer; Exhibits; Copies; Notice of Filing    
          Rule 30(g)  Failure to Attend or to Serve Subpoena; Expenses     
 
      Rule 31.  Depositions Upon Written Questions
          Rule 31(a)  Serving Questions; Notice     
          Rule 31(b)  Officer to Take Responses and Prepare Record     
          Rule 31(c)  Notice of Filing     
 
     Rule 32.  Use of Depositions in Court Proceedings   
          Rule 32(a)  Use of Depositions     
          Rule 32(b)  Objections to Admissibility    
          Rule 32(c)  Vacant     
          Rule 32(d)  Effect of Errors and Irregularities in Depositions     
 
     Rule 33.  Interrogatories to Parties     
          Rule 33(a)  Availability; Procedures for Use     
          Rule 33(b)  Scope; Use at Trial     
          Rule 33(c)  Option to Produce Business Records   
 
     Rule 34.  Production of Documents and Things and Entry Upon Land for Inspection and Other Purposes
          Rule 34(a)  Scope
          Rule 34(b)  Procedure     
          Rule 34(c)  Persons not Parties     
 
     Rule 35.  Physical and Mental Examination of Persons
          Rule 35(a)  Order for Examination
          Rule 35(b)  Report for Examining Physician or Medical Officer     
 
     Rule 36.  Requests for Admission
          Rule 36(a)  Request for Admission     
          Rule 36(b)  Effect of Admission     
 
     Rule 37.  Failure to Make Discovery: Sanctions
          Rule 37(a)  Motion for Order Compelling Discovery     
          Rule 37(b)  Failure to Comply with Order     
          Rule 37(c)  Expenses on Failure to Admit     
                Rule 37(d)  Failure of Party to Attend at Own Deposition or Serve Answers to Interrogatories or Respond to Request for Inspection    
          Rule 37(e)  Vacant    
          Rule 37(f)   Expenses Against the Federated States of Micronesia     
          Rule 37(g)  Failure to Participate in the Framing of a Discovery Plan     
 
     Rule 41.  Dismissal of Actions     
          Rule 41(a)  Voluntary Dismissal: Effect thereof     
          Rule 41(b)  Involuntary Dismissal     
          Rule 41(c)  Dismissal of Counterclaim, Cross-claim, or Third Party Claim     
          Rule 41(d)  Costs of Previously-Dismissed Action      
 
     Rule 42.  Consolidation; Separate Trials    
          Rule 42(a)  Consolidation     
          Rule 42(b)  Separate Trials     
 
     Rule 43.  Taking of Testimony
          Rule 43(a)  Form     
          Rule 43(b)  Vacant     
          Rule 43(c)  Vacant     
          Rule 43(d)  Affirmation in Lieu of Oath     
          Rule 43(e)  Evidence on Motions     
          Rule 43(f)   Interpreters     
 
     Rule 44.  Proof Official Record
          Rule 44(a)  Authentication     
          Rule 44(b)  Lack of Record     
          Rule 44(c)  Other Proof     
 
     Rule 44.1  Determination of Foreign Law
 
     Rule 45.  Subpoena
          Rule 45(a)  For Attendance of Witnesses; Form Issuance     
          Rule 45(b)  For Production of Documentary Evidence     
          Rule 45(c)  Service     
          Rule 45(d)  Subpoena for Taking Depositions; Place of Examination     
          Rule 45(e)  Subpoena for a Hearing or Trial
 
     Rule 46.  Exceptions Unnecessary
 
     Rule 52.  Findings by the Court    
          Rule 52(a)  Effect     
          Rule 52(b)  Amendment     
 
     Rule 53.  Masters

VII.  JUDGMENTS
     Rule 54.  Judgments; Costs
          Rule 54(a)  Definition; Form
          Rule 54(b)  Judgment Upon Multiple Claims or Involving Multiple Parties
          Rule 54(c)  Demand for Judgment
          Rule 54(d)  Costs
 
      Rule 55.  Default    
          Rule 55(a)  Entry     
          Rule 55(b)  Judgment     
          Rule 55(c)  Setting Aside Default     
          Rule 55(d)  Plaintiffs, Counterclaimants, Cross-Claimants     
          Rule 55(e)  Judgment Against the Federated States of Micronesia     
 
     Rule 56.  Summary Judgment
          Rule 56(a)  For Claimant     
          Rule 56(b)  For Defending Party     
          Rule 56(c)  Motion and Proceedings Thereon     
          Rule 56(d)  Case Not Fully Adjudicated on Motion    
          Rule 56(e)  Form of Affidavits; Further Testimony; Defense Required     
          Rule 56(f)   When Affidavits are Unavailable     
          Rule 56(g)  Affidavits Made in Bad Faith     
 
      Rule 57.  Declaratory Judgment 
 
      Rule 58.  Entry of Judgment     
 
      Rule 59.  New Trials, Amendment of Judgment    
          Rule 59(a)  Grounds     
          Rule 59(b)  Time for Motion     
          Rule 59(c)  Time for Serving Affidavits     
          Rule 59(d)  On Initiative of Court     
          Rule 59(e)  Motion to Alter or Amend a Judgment     
 
      Rule 60.  Relief from Judgment or Order     
          Rule 60(a)  Clerical Mistakes     
                Rule 60(b)  Mistakes; Inadvertence; Excusable Neglect; Newly Discovered Evidence; Fraud, Etc.
 
     Rule 61.  Harmless Error     
 
     Rule 62.  Stay of Proceedings to Enforce a Judgment    
          Rule 62(a)  Automatic Stay; Exception - Injunctions; Receiverships, and Patent Accountings     
          Rule 62(b)  Stay on Motion for New Trial or for Judgment
          Rule 62(c)  Injunction Pending Appeal     
          Rule 62(d)  Stay Upon Appeal     
          Rule 62(e)  Stay in Favor of the Federated States of Micronesia or an Agency thereof     
          Rule 62(f)   Stay According to State Law     
          Rule 62(g)  Power of Appellate Court not Limited     
 
     Rule 63.  Disability of a Judge
 
     Rule 64.  Seizure of Person or Property
 
     Rule 65.  Injunctions    
          Rule 65(a)  Preliminary Injunction     
          Rule 65(b)  Temporary Restraining Order; Notice; Hearing; Duration
          Rule 65(c)  Security     
          Rule 65(d)  Form and Scope of Injunction or Restraining Order     
          Rule 65(e)  Vacant     
 
     Rule 65.1.  Security: Proceedings against Sureties     
 
     Rule 66.  Receivers Appointed by Federal Courts     
 
     Rule 67.  Deposit in Court
 
     Rule 68.  Offer of Judgment    
 
     Rule 69.  Execution    
 
     Rule 70.  Judgment for Specific Acts; Vesting Title     
 
     Rule 71.  Process in Behalf of and Against Persons not Parties    

X.  COURTS AND CLERKS
     Rule 77.  Courts and Clerks
          Rule 77(a)  Courts Always Open     
          Rule 77(b)  Trial and Hearings; Orders in Chambers     
          Rule 77(c)  Clerk's Office and Orders by Clerk     
          Rule 77(d)  Notice of Orders or Judgments     
 
     Rule 78.  Motion Day     
          Rule 79  Books and Records Kept by the Clerk and Entries Therein     
          Rule 79(a)  Civil Docket     
          Rule 79(b)  Civil Judgment and Orders     
          Rule 79(c)  Indices; Calendars     
          Rule 79(d)  Other Books and Records of the Clerk
 
     Rule 80.  Stenographically or Electronically Recorded Testimony
 
     Rule 81.  Vacant
 
     Rule 82.  Jurisdiction Unaffected
 
     Rule 83.  Vacant
 
     Rule 84.  Forms.  Vacant
 
     Rule 85.  Title
 
     Rule 86.  Effective Date