The Rules Enabling Act allows the Supreme Court to prescribe general rules of practice and procedure for federal courts. When there is a direct conflict between federal procedural rules and state law, the federal rule supersedes if it does not alter substantive rights. The Act seeks equilibrium by ensuring procedural rules are efficient without encroaching on state-defined rights.
For example: A federal bankruptcy rule mandates a specific form for submitting claims, which differs from a state’s preferred form. Here, the federal rule would prevail as it dictates procedure without changing the substantive claimant’s rights.