Notice: The uscode.house.gov website is currently operating in a temporary format. While the United States Code remains available from its authoritative source, some website features and functionality are temporarily unavailable.
The United States Code Online is current through Public Law 119-120 (October 7, 2026).
Search & Browse Currency and Updating Classification Tables Popular Name Tool Positive Law Codification Editorial Reclassification Downloads
28 U.S.C. 1652: State laws as rules of decisionText contains those laws in effect through Public Law 119-120 (October 7, 2026).
From Title 28-JUDICIARY AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURECHAPTER 111-GENERAL PROVISIONS
Jump To: Source CreditMiscellaneous

§1652. State laws as rules of decision

The laws of the several states, except where the Constitution or treaties of the United States or Acts of Congress otherwise require or provide, shall be regarded as rules of decision in civil actions in the courts of the United States, in cases where they apply.

( June 25, 1948, ch. 646 , 62 Stat. 944 .)

Historical Revision Notes

Based on title 28, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 725 (R.S. § 721).

“Civil actions” was substituted for “trials at common law” to clarify the meaning of the Rules of Decision Act in the light of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Such Act has been held to apply to suits in equity.

Changes were made in phraseology.