
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
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[Laws in effect as of January 2, 2001]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 2, 2001 and January 28, 2002]
[CITE: 28USC1652]

 
               TITLE 28--JUDICIARY AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURE
 
                            PART V--PROCEDURE
 
                     CHAPTER 111--GENERAL PROVISIONS
 
Sec. 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., Sec. 725 (R.S. Sec. 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.
