Rule 7. Construction, severability, and transitional proceedings

Mandatory and discretionary terms

“Must” and “shall” impose a duty. “May” grants discretion. A heading aids organization but does not limit otherwise clear text.

Number and gender

Words in the singular include the plural when context permits. These Rules use role-based terms without limiting any person by gender.

References

A reference to a statute or other rule includes a later amendment unless the amendment cannot lawfully or sensibly apply. A reference to an office includes a lawful successor in that office.

Severability

If a provision is held invalid, the remaining provisions continue to the fullest extent they can operate independently.

Pending proceedings

An amendment applies to proceedings commenced after its effective date and to later steps in a pending proceeding unless the Court determines that application would be infeasible, unjust, or contrary to law. An amendment does not revive an expired period or invalidate an act valid when done.

No adverse inference from captions or portal categories

A portal case type, status, title, or filing code is administrative metadata. It does not decide jurisdiction, merits, party alignment, publication status, or the legal character of a filing.