The following new and amended rules became effective December 1, 2020: Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure 35 and 40, as well as Federal Rules of Evidence 404.
Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 35(e) amendments clarify that the length limits applicable to petitions for hearing or rehearing en banc also apply to responses if requested by the court. Please refer to House Document 116-119 (pdf) for the text of the amended rules and the accompanying committee notes effective December 1, 2020.
Amendments to Rule 40(a) clarify that the provisions of Rule 40(b) regarding a petition for panel rehearing also apply to a response to such a petition, if the court orders a response, and stylistically the amendment changes the language to refer to a “response,” rather than an “answer,” consistent with Rule 35. Please refer to House Document 116-119 (pdf) for the text of the amended rules and the accompanying committee notes effective December 1, 2020.
Amendments to Federal Rule of Evidence 404(b) impose additional notice requirements on the prosecution in a criminal case and incorporate clarifications to the text and headings of the rule. Please refer to House Document 116-144 (pdf) for the text of the amended rules, and the accompanying committee notes effective December 1, 2020.