These rules govern an action in which the appointment of a receiver is sought or a receiver sues or is sued. But the practice in administering an estate by a receiver or a similar court-appointed officer must accord with the historical practice in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia and this court. An action in which a receiver has been appointed may be dismissed only by court order.
Rule 66.Receivers
Group VIII: Provisional and Final Remedies · Last amended 2017 · Last verified July 14, 2026
In one sentenceRule 66 makes the civil rules apply to any DC Superior Court action seeking a receiver's appointment or brought by or against a receiver, folds in the historical local practice for administering a receivership estate, and requires a court order to dismiss a case where a receiver has already been appointed.
Full Text of Rule 66
Comments
2017 Amendments:
This rule has been amended consistent with the 2007 stylistic changes to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 66, but it maintains one local distinction—it references the historical practices of the Superior Court and the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.
Comment:
Identical to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 66 except for change in title and change in designation on prior practice to be followed. The insertion of reference to practice heretofore followed in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia is designed to insure maximum possible continuity in the handling of District of Columbia receivership matters.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 66 is short but does real work in receivership cases. It confirms that the ordinary civil rules govern an action in which a party seeks the appointment of a receiver, or in which a receiver already appointed sues or is sued as a party. A receivership does not operate in a procedural vacuum separate from the rest of civil practice.
At the same time, the rule recognizes that administering an estate through a receiver, or a similar court-appointed officer, is its own specialized practice with its own history. Rule 66 directs that this administration accord with the historical practice followed in both the Superior Court and the United States District Court for the District of Columbia — a deliberate choice, according to the official comment, meant to preserve continuity in how the District has long handled receivership matters rather than starting that practice over from scratch.
Rule 66 also adds a practical safeguard: once a receiver has been appointed in a case, that action can be dismissed only by court order. A receivership often protects assets and interests beyond the named parties, and this provision keeps a receivership case from being cut short by a unilateral dismissal once a receiver is in place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do the ordinary civil rules apply to a receivership action in DC Superior Court?
Yes. Rule 66 states that these rules govern an action in which the appointment of a receiver is sought, or in which a receiver sues or is sued as a party.
Where does the court look for guidance on how to administer a receivership estate?
Rule 66 directs that the practice of administering an estate by a receiver, or a similar court-appointed officer, accord with the historical practice followed in the Superior Court and the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.
Can a case with an appointed receiver be dismissed by simple agreement of the parties?
No. Rule 66 states that an action in which a receiver has been appointed may be dismissed only by court order.
Why does Rule 66 reference federal district court practice for the District of Columbia?
The official comment explains that the reference to historical practice in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia is meant to ensure maximum continuity in how District of Columbia receivership matters have traditionally been handled.
Does Rule 66 spell out a receiver's specific powers and duties?
No. Rule 66 applies the general civil rules to receivership actions and points to historical administrative practice for how estates are handled, rather than listing a receiver's powers and duties itself.
Source & verification. Rule text and official Comments are
reproduced verbatim from the District of Columbia Superior Court Rules of Civil
Procedure, adopted by the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Last verified July 14, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: dc receivership rule appointing a receiverdismissing a receivership case dc superior courtreceiver sues or is sued dcreceiver appointed dc civil rule 66administering estate through receiver dc