NCJ Number
233411
Date Published
2006
Length
29 pages
Annotation
This manual provides judges with the essential steps in managing a civil case, the litigation process.
Abstract
The goal of the judicial system is "to secure the just, speedy, and inexpensive determination of every action." To achieve this goal in the face of scarce judicial resources and rising litigation costs, judges must manage the litigation process. Judges are in need of sound case-management practices. This manual briefly describes techniques that judges have found effective in managing their cases at various stages of the litigation process. It begins with a discussion of the Rule 16 conference, outlining how proper use of this conference enables judges to establish control of cases at the outset. Separate discussions are then provided of several items on the Rule 16 agenda: settlement, discovery, and motions. These continue to play an important role in case management after the conference. The manual then turns to case management during the final pretrial conference, and then the trial itself. It concludes with a discussion of how judges can utilize the court's human and material resources. The manual offers a foundation for thinking about techniques and methods that will best suit the individual judge. It is part of the Federal Judicial Center's ongoing effort to help courts save costs, time, and judicial resources in the conduct of litigation. Related readings