(a) Application.
These Local Rules apply in civil actions as defined in Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 1
and 2. The Court may modify these rules in exceptional circumstances or when justice so requires.
(b) Definitions.
The term “judicial officer” includes district judges and magistrate judges. The term “district
judge” refers to a federal judge as defined in 28 U.S.C. § 451. The term “magistrate judge” refers to
a federal judge as defined in 28 U.S.C. §§ 631-639. The term “party’s attorney” or similar term
whenever used in these rules shall include a party appearing without counsel. The term “clerk”
includes the Clerk of the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, the chief
deputy clerk, and deputy clerks. The term “marshal” includes the United States Marshal and
deputy marshals.
(c) Numbering.
The numbering of the local rules tracks the numbers of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
Supplemental local rules concerning admiralty or maritime claims have been assigned letters “A”
through “F”, corresponding to the pertinent Supplemental Rules for Certain Admiralty and Maritime
Claims. Rules concerning specific local matters have been listed under number 83 followed by a
capital letter.
(d) Citation.
Legal citations in court documents shall be in accordance with the standards set forth in The
Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation, as amended.
(e) Failure to Comply.
The violation or failure to comply with these rules may entail sanctions.
-2-
(f) Suspension of the Rules.
The court may suspend or modify the requirements or provisions of any of these Rules in a
particular case by written order. When a judge issues any order in a specific case which is not
consistent with these Rules, that order shall constitute a suspension of these Rules for that case
and only to the extent that it is inconsistent with these Rules.
-3-
