DC · rules
D.C. Super. Ct. Dom. Viol. R. 1
Scope; Purpose; Title; Applicability of Civil Rules; Other Proceedings
Assigned to the Domestic Violence Division
(a) SCOPE. These rules govern the procedure in all civil protection order proceedings
filed under D.C. Code §§ 16-1001 to -1006 (2012 Repl. & 2017 Supp.).
(b) PURPOSE. These rules should be construed, administered, and employed by the
court and the parties to secure the just, speedy, and inexpensive determination of every
civil protection order proceeding and to effectuate the statutory intent of eliminating
domestic and family violence.
(c) TITLE. These rules may be known as the Rules Governing Proceedings in the
Domestic Violence Division and may be cited as “Super. Ct. Dom. Vio. R. ___.”
(d) APPLICABILITY OF CIVIL RULES. Except when inconsistent with these rules or with
the expeditious nature of civil protection order proceedings, the following Superior Court
Rules of Civil Procedure are deemed applicable to civil protection order proceedings: 6, 9,
9-I, 11 (except that a party does not have to provide the party’s address, phone number,
or e-mail address if doing so poses safety concerns), 43, 43-I, 44, 44-I, 44.1, 46, 59, 61,
63, 63-I, 77(c)(1), 79, 79-I, 80, 82, 86, 101, 102, 103, 104, 201, and 203.
(e) OTHER PROCEEDINGS ASSIGNED TO THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DIVISION.
Criminal proceedings assigned to the Domestic Violence Division are governed by the
Superior Court Rules of Criminal Procedure. Except when inconsistent with these rules or
federal law, domestic relations proceedings assigned to the Domestic Violence Division
are governed by the General Rules of the Family Division and the Rules Governing
Domestic Relations Proceedings.
History
COMMENT TO 2018 AMENDMENTS Superior Court Administrative Order 18-07 (June 26, 2018) changed the name of the Domestic Violence Unit to the Domestic Violence Division. The title and text of the rules have been amended to reflect the name change. COMMENT TO 2017 AMENDMENTS This rule has been amended consistent with the stylistic changes to the civil rules. The provision regarding clerk’s office hours has been replaced by a reference to Civil Rule 77(c)(1). Also, the provision regarding the effect of institution of a criminal charge was deleted as unnecessary because this is addressed in D.C. Code § 16-1002 (2012 Repl.). COMMENT The second to last section of this rule is derived in part from D.C. Code § 16-1002 (c). Should the respondent face contempt proceedings based upon conduct occurring after a temporary protection order or civil protection order has been entered, which conduct may also be subject to the institution of criminal proceedings, the Court may wish to provide notice of the conduct and/or the contempt hearing to the United States Attorney's Office in order for that office to determine whether to proceed on the criminal charge.
Provenance
- Source
- dccourts.gov
- Retrieved
- 2026-09-14
- Edition
- 2026-09-14
- Content hash
ae64a4472efa6cdfa5b1a3134258c03a299ee1de1e88ad9b6f66e8c73b2277bd
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