These rules shall not be construed to extend or limit the jurisdiction of the district courts of Minnesota or the venue of actions therein.
Rule 82.Jurisdiction and Venue
Last verified July 1, 2026
In one sentenceRule 82 confirms that the Rules of Civil Procedure do not change which court has authority over a case or where a case can be filed.
Full Text of Rule 82
Plain-English Summary
Rule 82 is a short but important limitation on the entire set of civil procedure rules. It states that none of the rules should be read to expand or restrict either the jurisdiction of Minnesota’s district courts or the proper venue, meaning the correct location, for filing an action. In other words, these procedural rules govern how a case moves forward once it is properly in front of the right court; they do not determine which court gets to hear the case in the first place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Rules of Civil Procedure give a district court authority over a case it otherwise would not have?
No. Rule 82 says the rules cannot be construed to extend or limit the jurisdiction of Minnesota’s district courts.
Do the Rules of Civil Procedure determine where a lawsuit must be filed?
No. Rule 82 states the rules do not extend or limit venue, meaning they do not decide which county or location is proper for filing the action.
Source & verification. The rule text and Advisory Committee Comments are reproduced verbatim from the
official Minnesota Rules of Civil Procedure (Minn. R. Civ. P. 82). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Minnesota (Minn. Stat. § 480.051). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 1, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: jurisdiction and venue