Rule 79 - Records Kept by the Clerk(a) CIVIL DOCKET. (1)In General. The clerk must keep a record known as the "civil docket" in the form and manner prescribed by the Executive Officer of the District of Columbia Courts, subject to the supervision of the Chief Judge. The clerk must enter each civil action in the docket.(2)Items to Be Entered. The following items must be marked with the file number and entered chronologically in the docket: (A) papers filed with the clerk;(B) process issued, and proofs of service or other returns showing execution; and(C) appearances, orders, verdicts, and judgments.(3)Contents of Entries; Jury Trial Demanded. Each entry must briefly show the nature of the paper filed or writ issued, the substance of each proof of service or other return, and the substance and date of entry of each order and judgment.(b) CIVIL JUDGMENTS AND ORDERS. The clerk must keep a copy of every final judgment and appealable order; of every order affecting title to or a lien on real or personal property; and of any other order that the court directs to be kept. The Executive Officer of the District of Columbia Courts will, subject to the supervision of the Chief Judge, prescribe the form and manner in which such copies must be kept.(c) INDEXES; CALENDARS. Under the court's direction, the clerk must:(1) keep indexes of the docket and of the judgments and orders described in Rule 79(b); and(2) prepare calendars of all actions ready for trial, distinguishing jury trials from nonjury trials.(d) OTHER RECORDS. The clerk must keep any other records required by the Executive Officer of the District of Columbia Courts, subject to the supervision of the Chief Judge.(e) ENTRY ON DOCKET. Nothing in these rules precludes a judge or magistrate judge or his or her authorized judicial staff member from making entries on the docket.Amended by Order dated June 24, 2022, effective 6/24/2022.COMMENT TO 2022 AMENDMENT
Subsections (a)(1) and (a)(3) were amended to address technical and functional changes necessary to implement the court's new case management system.
COMMENT TO 2017 AMENDMENTS
This rule is substantially similar to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 79, as amended in 2007, but maintains two local distinctions-1) references to "Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts with the approval of the Judicial Conference of the United States" have been changed to "Executive Officer of the District of Columbia Courts, subject to the supervision of the Chief Judge" and 2) section (e), allowing entries by judges or magistrate judges and their staff, has been added.
COMMENT
Rule 79 identical to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 79 except for substitution of local administrative references throughout and deletion of the requirement in section (a) that the civil docket be in the form of a book.