Berk v. Choy · ¶18

Yet when a Federal Rule of Civil Procedure is on point, a federal court bypasses Erie's inquiry altogether. That is because the Rules of Decision Act dictates that state substantive law must yield if the Constitution, a treaty, or a statute “otherwise require[s] or provide[s].” § 1652. And the Rules Enabling Act, which authorizes the Supreme Court to adopt uniform rules of procedure for district courts, provides for the application of federal law. § 2072(a); see also Fed. Rule Civ. Proc. 1 (“These rules govern the procedure in all civil actions and proceedings in the United States district courts . . . ”). Thus, a valid Rule of Civil Procedure displaces contrary state law even if the state law would qualify as substantive under Erie's test. See Hanna, 380 U. S., at 469–474.

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