The rules apply to all civil actions and proceedings, such as depositions; admiralty and maritime cases; all district court, courts of appeal, and courts of claims cases; as well as proceedings in bankruptcy courts. For criminal cases, the rules apply to all trial proceedings that are criminal in nature, and there is no exception to the rule of privilege. The rules do not apply to grand jury, extradition proceedings, and certain other proceedings. The explanation of the Federal Rules of Evidence covers their purpose and construction, rulings on evidence, preliminary questions, limited admissibility questions, the rule of completeness, and amending the rules. Cases are cited to illustrate these rules.