Scope and Purpose of Local Rules/Definitions/Civility

(a) Scope and Purpose (1) Each Local Civil Rule addresses the same subject as the corresponding Federal Rule of Civil Procedure (“Fed. R. Civ. P.”). (2) These Local Civil Rules supplement the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and must be construed consistently with those rules to promote the just, efficient, and economical determination of every action and proceeding. (3) All parties, including self-represented parties, must comply with these Local Rules and the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. References in these rules to “counsel” or “attorneys” also refer to self-represented parties.

(4) The court may by order entered on its own initiative or on motion, change, dispense with, or waive any of these Local Civil Rules in the interest of justice. (b) Definitions The following definitions apply: (1) “Clerk” refers to the Clerk of Court or a deputy clerk designated to act in the clerk’s capacity. (2) “CM/ECF” refers to the court’s Case Management/Electronic Case Filing System used by the United States District Court for the District of Alaska. (3) “Court’s website” refers to the internet address for the United States District Court for the District of Alaska: http://www.akd.uscourts.gov.

(4) “Electronic Filing Procedures Guide” refers to the United States District Court for the District of Alaska’s Electronic Filing Procedures Guide available on the court’s website. (5) “Filed conventionally” refers to physically filing a document (i.e. a paper copy) or other item (such as a thumb drive or other physical exhibit) directly with the Clerk, rather than filing electronically via CM/ECF. (6) “Judge” refers to: (A) any United States District Judge or other judicial officer acting in a matter assigned to a United States District Judge; (B) any full-time or part-time United States Magistrate Judge; and (C) when these rules apply to bankruptcy proceedings, to a United States Bankruptcy Judge or other judicial officer acting in a matter assigned to a United States Bankruptcy Judge. Local Civil Rules for the District of Alaska Effective October 15, 2025 (7) “Sealed documents” are documents viewable only by case participants.

See Local Civil Rule 7.3(f). (8) “Stricken documents” refer to: (A) “documents stricken from the record”: documents that the court has ordered stricken from the record. The document is referenced on the docket with the notation "STRICKEN" at the beginning; (B) “documents stricken and removed from the record”: documents that the court has ordered stricken from the record and, additionally, has directed the clerk to remove from the record. Removing a document from the record means that it has been deleted from the court's server and is no longer available for viewing.

The docket text remains on the docket with the notation "STRICKEN AND REMOVED FROM THE RECORD;" and (C) discovery documents refused by the clerk pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 5(d)(1). The refusal must be referenced in the docket. (c) Civility (1) Parties and their lawyers must treat all persons involved in the legal process with courtesy and respect. (2) Parties and their lawyers must take particular care to avoid treating persons discourteously or disrespectfully because of the person’s race, gender, or other personal characteristic.

(3) Parties and their lawyers must work cooperatively to achieve the purpose of these rules. (4) Parties and their lawyers must advocate with candor and fairness and at all times conform to applicable codes and rules of ethics and professional responsibility.