(a) Legal Advice. The Clerk and the Clerk’s employees desire to be of help to litigants
and attorneys. However, interpreting the Rules of Procedure and giving legal
advice are not permitted functions. Notice is hereby given to litigants and attorneys
that the Clerk and the Clerk’s employees assume no responsibility for information
respecting applicable procedural rules, substantive law, or interpretation of these
rules.
(b) Advance Payment of Filing Fees.
(1) Payment of Fees. The Clerk shall require advance payment of fees before
any civil action, suite, or proceeding (other than those authorized to be
brought in forma pauperis) is filed.
(2) When Fee Not Included. When a pleading is received for filing and is
unaccompanied by either the required filing fee or an application to
proceed in forma pauperis, or is accompanied by an application to proceed
in forma pauperis that has not been acted upon by the Court, then the
Clerk shall note “received” and the date received thereon and immediately
notify counsel or the party who submitted the pleading that the pleading is
held but not filed pending receipt of the required filing fee or an order
granting an application to proceed in forma pauperis.
Page 37 of 51
