State courts (both trial and appellate courts) usually have local rules of court that include detailed requirements for proceedings in the court—including the assignment of cases to judges, filing and serving documents, securing hearings before the court, and communicating with opposing parties and court personnel.

And federal courts (United States district courts and courts of appeals) also frequently prescribe local rules governing practice and procedure in their courts. Such rules must be consistent with both Acts of Congress and the Federal Rules of Practice and Procedure, and may only be prescribed after notice and an opportunity for public comment. A federal court's authority to prescribe local rules is governed by both statute and the Federal Rules of Practice and Procedure. See 28 U.S.C. §§ 2071(a)-(b); Fed. R. App. P. 47; Fed. R. Bankr. P. 9029; Fed. R. Civ. P. 83; Fed. R. Crim. P. 57.

State and federal courts usually post local rules on their websites.

In Alabama, both state and federal courts operate under specific local rules that govern the proceedings within each court. These rules cover various aspects of the legal process, including case assignment, document filing and service, hearing scheduling, and communication protocols with opposing parties and court personnel. Alabama state courts, such as trial and appellate courts, have their own set of local rules that attorneys must follow. Similarly, federal courts within the state, including United States district courts and courts of appeals, have local rules that must align with Acts of Congress and the Federal Rules of Practice and Procedure. The federal courts' local rules are established under statutory authority and procedural rules, specifically 28 U.S.C. §§ 2071(a)-(b) and various Federal Rules including Appellate Procedure 47, Bankruptcy Procedure 9029, Civil Procedure 83, and Criminal Procedure 57. These rules are made available to the public after a notice and comment period. Attorneys and parties involved in legal proceedings can typically access these local rules on the respective courts' websites.