Rule 7-I.Stipulations

Group III: Pleadings and Motions · Last amended 2017 · Last verified July 14, 2026

In one sentenceRule 7-I lists the only three ways a stipulation will be recognized by a judge or master in a District of Columbia civil case: a signed writing, a statement made on the record before the court, or an agreement recorded during a deposition.

Full Text of Rule 7-I

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Neither the court nor a master will consider a stipulation unless the stipulation is:

(1) in a writing signed by the parties or their attorneys;

(2) made on the record before the court or a master; or

(3) made in the taking of a deposition and recorded by or at the direction of the officer before whom the deposition is being taken.

Comments

2017 Amendments:

Stylistic changes were made to this rule to conform with the 2007 amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

Comment:

Rule 7-I is identical to former Rule 43-II. The location of the Rule was changed in order to avoid the impression that stipulations are limited to evidentiary matters.

Plain-English Summary

Parties often agree to shortcut some part of a case — waiving a formal requirement, agreeing on a fact, or setting a schedule — and call that agreement a stipulation. Rule 7-I makes sure those agreements are provable rather than a matter of dispute later, by limiting what counts as a recognized stipulation to three forms.

A stipulation is honored if it is in a writing signed by the parties or their attorneys, if it is made on the record before the court or a master, or if it is made during a deposition and recorded by, or at the direction of, the officer taking the deposition. An informal, unrecorded understanding between counsel does not bind the court or a master under this rule — if it is not in one of these three forms, neither will consider it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the only forms a stipulation can take under Rule 7-I?

A writing signed by the parties or their attorneys, a statement made on the record before the court or a master, or an agreement made during a deposition and recorded by or at the direction of the officer taking the deposition.

If opposing counsel and I verbally agree to something over the phone, will the court honor it as a stipulation?

Not unless it fits one of the three forms Rule 7-I recognizes. An unrecorded verbal agreement between attorneys, without more, does not qualify.

Does a stipulation reached during a deposition need to be in writing afterward?

No. Rule 7-I(3) recognizes a stipulation made in the taking of a deposition as valid so long as it is recorded by or at the direction of the officer before whom the deposition is being taken.

Can I make a binding stipulation in open court without putting it in writing first?

Yes. Rule 7-I(2) recognizes a stipulation made on the record before the court or a master, which does not require a separate signed writing.

Does Rule 7-I apply to stipulations about anything, or just evidence?

It applies broadly to stipulations generally, not just to agreements about evidentiary matters.

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 stipulation requirements rule 7-iwritten stipulation signed by parties dcoral stipulation on the record dc courtstipulation made during deposition dc