General practice Rules
Rule 1
Rule 1. Scope of
Rules; Modification; Service on Parties; Applicability to Self-Represented LitigantsRule
1.01 ScopeThese rules shall apply in all trial courts of the state. These rules may be cited as Minn. Gen. R. Prac. ___.Rule
1.02 ModificationA judge may modify the application of these rules in any case to prevent manifest injustice.Rule
1.03 Service on PartiesWhen a document is to be served on a party under these rules, service shall be made on the party’s lawyer if represented, otherwise on the self-represented litigant directly.Rule
1.04 Responsibility of Self-Represented LitigantsWhenever these rules require that an act be done by a lawyer, the same duty is required of a self-represented litigant.Cross Reference: Minn. R. Civ. P. 5.02, 83.
(Amended effective July 1, 2015.)
Advisory
Committee Comment - 2015
Amendments
The amendments to Rules 1.03 and 1.04 are not substantive in nature or intended effect. The replacement of “paper” with “document” is made throughout these rules, and simply advances precision in choice of language. Most documents will not be filed as “paper” documents, so paper is retired as a descriptor of them. “Self-represented litigant” is defined in Rule 14.01(a)(12). This term is being used uniformly throughout the judicial branch, and is preferable to “non-represented party” and “pro se party,” both to avoid a Latin phrase not used outside legal jargon and to facilitate the drafting of clearer rules.