The procedure in the superior court and, so far as applicable, in the district court shall be governed by these rules in all actions or proceedings of a civil nature—legal, equitable, or otherwise. These rules shall be construed to secure the just, speedy and inexpensive determination of every action and proceeding.
Rule 1.Scope of Rules—Construction.
Last amended January 15, 1990 · Last verified July 6, 2026
In one sentenceRule 1 makes the Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure the rulebook for every civil case in the superior court and, where applicable, the district court, and directs that the rules be read to secure a just, speedy, and inexpensive resolution of every action.
Full Text of Rule 1
Amendment History
(Adopted by SCO 5 October 9, 1959; amended by SCO 993 effective January 15, 1990)
Plain-English Summary
Rule 1 opens the rule book by fixing its own reach. It governs every civil action or proceeding in Alaska's superior court, and reaches into the district court so far as the district court's own procedures allow. "Civil" is read broadly here — the rule covers legal claims, equitable claims, and anything else that isn't a criminal prosecution, so a single lawsuit can mix a request for money damages with a request for an injunction without switching rulebooks partway through.
The rule also tells judges and litigants how to read everything that follows: apply the rules to secure a just, speedy, and inexpensive determination of every case. Courts lean on that instruction to keep a case moving toward a decision on the merits rather than letting it stall over a technical misstep, and to resolve gaps or ambiguities in the other 99 rules in whichever direction gets a case to a fair result fastest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Alaska courts follow the Rules of Civil Procedure?
The superior court always does. The district court follows them so far as they apply to district court proceedings — the District Court Rules of Civil Procedure fill in the rest.
What does it mean for the rules to be construed for a "just, speedy, and inexpensive" result?
Courts read the rules to move a case toward a decision on its merits, not to let a party lose a case over a procedural misstep that didn’t harm anyone.
Do these rules apply to both legal and equitable claims?
Yes. Rule 1 covers actions and proceedings of a civil nature “legal, equitable, or otherwise,” so one lawsuit can combine both kinds of relief under one procedural track.
Source & verification. The rule text, Amendment History, and Notes are reproduced verbatim from the
official Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure (Alaska R. Civ. P. 1). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Alaska (Alaska Const. art. IV, § 15). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 6, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: scope of the Alaska civil rulespurpose of the rulesjust speedy and inexpensivesuperior court civil procedureAlaska R. Civ. P. 1