This guide provides information for judges about organizing, managing, and storing physical documents and electronic materials in chambers. It discusses the importance of federal judges' papers as a documentary record of judges' careers and the work of the federal courts. The guide describes how students of the federal courts use judges' papers and offers guidelines for judges' selection of a repository to house a collection.

Federal Rules of Evidence 902(13) and 902(14), which became effective on December 1, 2017, provide for the self-authentication of electronic evidence. Under these rules, electronic evidence can be authenticated by certification instead of by testimony. Rule 902(13) applies to electronic evidence such as computer files, social media posts, and smart device data. Rule 902(14) applies to electronic copies.

This page includes documents related to the use of discovery and the Rule 2004 examination and production process. A Chapter 9 debtor is obligated to provide only limited financial and operational information with its petition. Because of a Chapter 9 debtor’s limited disclosure obligations, creditors may request additional information through discovery or Rule 2004 examination process.

Rule 2004 Examinations and Discovery is one of several Chapter 9 Online Repository categories.

The Advisory Group to the New York State–Federal Judicial Council analyzed New York State and federal courts’ treatment of prelitigation conduct involving the creation, retention, and destruction of electronically stored information (ESI) to determine whether the courts were consistent and harmonious when addressing these issues.