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WF^qTERNDISTRICT OF ARKANSAS

In Re:

CIVIL JUSTICE EXPENSEAND DEI,AY

REDUCTION PI,AN

GENE&\L ORDERNO.

Now comes on for considerationthe matter of adopting the Civil Justice

Expenseand Delay ReductionPlan pursuant to the Civil Justice ReformAct of 1990,

28u.s.c.s47r.

The Court, after careful consideration,hereby adoptssaid Plan in its totality,

a copyof said Plan being made a part of this order.

IT IS SOORDERED

fiis

1993.

/ fiffiay of November,

*S,*.h'i''Jig+T^f;fti$^1?lt9l

r^{ov

UNITEDSTATESDI$TRICTCOURT

FORTHE WESTERNDISTRICTOF ARI(ANSAS

CIVILJUSTICE

EXPENSEAND DEI*AYREDUCTIONPLAN

EFFECTIVEJANUARY1, 1994

t tlr:I

TAEI..EOECATTIENIS

CIVILJUSTICEREFORMACT PLAN

WESTERNDISTRICTOF ARKANSAS

PAGE

lntroduction

il.

CivilJusticeExpenseand DelayBeduction

Plan

Systematic,

Differential

Treatment

of CivilCases

for Furposesof Case-Specific

Management

EarlyandOngoingControlof the PretrialProcess

ThroughInvolvement

of a JudicialOfficer

Treatment

Special

of Complex

Cases

Encouragement

of Cost-Effective

Discovery

Through

VoluntaryExchange

of Information

Reasonable

andGoodFaithEffortsof Partiesto

ResolveDiscovery

Disputes

Alternative

DisputeResolution

lll,

CJRALitigation

Management

andCostandDelayBeduction

Techniques

andOtherAppropriate

Matters

JointDiscovery4ase

Management

Plan

FretrialConferences

Attendedby AttorneysWth Authority

to Bind

l:l{l

PAGE

RequirementThat Extensionsof Time be Signedby Attorney

and Party

EarlyNeutralEvaluation

Representative

of PartyWithAuthorityto Bindto be

PresentDuringSettlement

Conferences

OtherAppropriate

Mattersfor Consideration

tv.

PeriodicDistrictCourtAssessment

APPENDICES

CivilJusticeReformAct

AdvisoryGroupRecommendations

LocalRuleC-7 Motions

LocalRuleD-4 PretrialConference

CourtScheduling

Order

li J

CIVILJUSTICEREFORMACTPI.AN

INTRODUCTION

In 1990the Congressenactedinto lawthe CivilJusticeHeformAct.l The Act

pursuantto Section471,thateachUnitedStatesDistrictCourtimplement

requires,

a civil

plan.

anddelayreduction

iusticeexpense

Accordingto the Act, "the purposesof each plan are to facilitatedeliberate

adjudicationof civil cases en the merits, monitor discovery,improve litigation

management,

andensureJust,speedyandinexpensive

resolutions

of civildisputes".

The Act also mandatesthat the districtcourts"shallconsiderand may includethe

followingprinciplesand guidelinesof litigationmanagement

and cost and delay

plan. Summarized

reduction"

in itsciviliusticeexpense

anddelayreduction

beloware

theprinciples

enumerated

in Section473(a)of theAct. Thefulltextof theAct is included

in AppendixA,

Systematic,

differential

treatmentof civil casesthat tailor case specific

management

to specified

criteria;

Ititle I of the Judiciallmprovements

Act

of 1990,pub.L.No.

101650(1gg0)

codified

at 28 U.S,C.Section471482.

I rt

Earlyand ongoingcontrolof the pretrialprocessby the involvement

of a

ludicialofficeri

Specialattentionto complexcases,with use of discoverymanagement

conferences

andothersettlement

techniques;

Encouragement

of cost€ffective

discovery

throughvoluntaryexchangeof

information:

Prohibiting

consideration

of discoverymotionsunlesscounselhavemade

goodfaitheffortto resolvediscoverydispute;

programs,

Utilization

of alternative

disputeresolution

Additionally,

theAct requiresthateachdistrictcourtshallconsiderandmayincludein its

planthe followinglitigation

management

and cost and delayreductiontechniques.

Summarized

belowarethe litigation

techniques

enumerated

in Section473(b)of theAc't,

Thefulltextof theAct is includedin AppendixA.

planbe presented

Requirement

thata discovery{ase

management

at initial

pretrialconference;

Requirement

that at pretrialconferences

all partiesbe represented

by an

attorneywithauthorityto bindthe panyin all matters;

Requirement

thatall requestsfor extension$

and continuarices

be signed

by the attorneyandpartymakingthe request;

programs

Requirement

thatneutralevaluation

be established;

partiesshouldbe presentwith

Requirement

thatat settlement

conferences

authority

to bindin settlement

discussions.

1l:l,l

Thecourt,as requiredbytheAct,specifically

Sections

472(a)anda73(a)and(b),

has consultedwith the AdvisoryGroup,has considered

the recommendations

of the

group,andhasconsidered

guidelines

allof theprinciples,

andtechniques

setforlhinthe

aboveSections473(a)and (b). Accordingly,

the UnitedStatesDistrictCourtfor the

WesternDistrictof Arkansasadoptsthe followingCivil JusticeExpenseand Delay

Reduction

Plananddirects

thatit be implemented

January1, 19S4.ThePlanshallapply

to all civilcasesfiledon or afterthatdateandmay,at the discretionof the court,apply

to casesthenpending.

Adoptionof the court'sPlanis a culmination

of overtwo years'effortsby the

advisorygroup. TheCourtis deeplygratefulto the membersof the advisorygroupwho

havecontributed

theirtime and effortsto this process. For this the court extendsits

sincere.

thanksandappreciation.

lr.

CIVILJUSTICEEXPENSEAND DEI-AYREDUCTIONPLAN

TheUnitedStatesDistrictCourlfor theWesternDistrictof Arkansasunanimously

planand shallimplement

adoptsthe followingexpenseand delayreduction

the plan

effective

January1, 1994.

I l:l'l

Systematic,DifferentialTreatmentol CivilCasesfor Furposesof Case'

Specific Managementz

to the court that a Differentiated

Case

The AdvisoryGroup recommended

Management

Programbe established

in the WesternDistrict.(SeeAppendixB.) This

would be limitedto "complex"ca$es. The Court,after carefulconsideration

of the

TheCourt

recommendation,

respectfully

disagrees

thata DCMprogrambe established.

believesthat only a relatively

few casesfiledin this districtwouldqualityas complex.

justification

Thus,it seemsunlikely

thattherewouldbesufficient

to warranttheprocedural

changesnecessary

to administer

sucha program.The Courtwill,however,on an

experimental

basis,be willingto adoptan elementof the DCMprogram:the case

management

or scheduling

conference,

TheCourtagreesthatin certaincases,those

generally

e.g. numerous

and possibleuniquelegal

having"complex"

characteristics,

issues,'e)densive

discoveryand greaterthan usualnumberof expertwitnesses,large

numberof partiesandextended

trialdays,the scheduling

conference

wouldbe a useful

tool,

casemanagement

whethera case would benefitfrom a

The ultimatediscretionfor determining

conference

shall

scheduling

conference

restswiththeCourt.Insuchcasesa scheduling

of the

be scheduledby the presidingJudgewithinthifty(30)daysafterthe appearance

pleading.The conferencemay be

defendantor from the date of the last responsive

'zB U.S.c.Section

423(aX1)

i li;,

conductedeithertelephonically

or withcounselin person. Priorto the conference

the

plan. The plan shallbe

attorneys

shallconferand developa proposedscheduling

submitted

to the courtsevenO) dayspriorto the scheduling

conference.Withinseven

(7) days afterthe schedulingconference,

a schedulingorder shallbe preparedand

enteredby the Coun. Theordershallestablish

thefollowingkey intervals:

Disclosure

of witnesses,

including

experts;

Discovery

cut-offdate;

Amendment

of pleadings

andloinderof parties;

Trialdateandestimated

lengthof trial;

Settlement

conference

date,if direEted

by Court;

Pretrial

conference

date,if deemednecessary

by Court.

The scheduling

conference

may also serueas an opportunity

to discussthe

judge.Additionally,

appropriateness

of consenting

to a magistrate

the conference

may

serveas a meansto discussothermattersrelevant

to a justdetermination

af the action.

Early and Ongolng Control of the Pretrial Process Through

lnvolvementof a Judicialofficer3

TheAdvisoryGroupdid not makea specificrecommendation

for this principle.

The Coun,aftercarefulconsideration

of the principles

outlinedin 28 U.S.C.

of the Act,declines

to makeany specificchangesto the case

S473(a)(2)(AXB)(CXD)

policiesandprocedures

management

of thiscourt. Theoneexception,

however,is the

'28 U.S.C.

s473(ax2)

I lii,

procedureset out in SectionA of the Planhereln. The Court

scheduling

confurence

policiesand proceduresemployedin this

believesthat the presentcasemanagement

districtaresound,aresuccessful,

andadhereto theprinciples

outlined

in $473(a)(?)

theAct. Thisis evidenced

bythisdistrict'spastandpresentcircuitandnationalworkload

rankings.

SpecialTreatmentof ComplexCasesa

TheAdvisoryGrouprecommended

to the Court(Appendix

B) that deference

grantedto "complex"casesby way of a Differentiated

Case Management

Program.

(Section

A of Plan.)TheCourt,as outlinedin SectionA, declines

to establish

sucha

program,but doesadopta policywherebyscheduling

conferences

may be heldin

complexcases.

Encouragementof Cost-EffectiveDiscoveryThrough Voluntary

Exchangeof Informations

The AdvisoryGrouprecommended

to the Court (AppendixB) that the Coun

"refrainfrom makingany substantive

changesto discoveryprocedureuntilafterthe

proposedamendments

to the FederalRulesof CivilProcedure

areapproved,modified,

a2Bu.s.c.$a7s(a)(B)

seeu,s.c.$423(aX4)

I (i .

or relectedby the UnitedStatesCongress".Further,theAdvisoryGrouprecommended

that in the eventthe proposedrule changesare adopted,the Couft have sufficient

experienceunder the new discoveryrules beforeexaminingthe districtdiscovery

procedures.

TheCourt,aftercarefulconsideration

of the AdvisoryGroup'srecommendations

andthe principles

outlinedin s473(a)(4)

of theAct,agreeswiththeAdvisoryGroupand

changesto this district'sdiscoveryproceduresuntil

declinesta adoptany substantive

afterthe proposalsare approvedby the Congressandaftersufficient

experience

under

theapproved

rules.

Reasonable

and Good FaithEffortsof Partiesto ResolveDiscovery

DisputesE

TheAdvisoryGrouprecommended

to the Court(SeeAppendixB)thatthe "court

continueto be sensitiveto discoverydisputes (includingdisputes as ta the

reasonableness

of hourly rates chargedby expertwitnessesfor giving discovery

depositions)

andestablish,

if necessary,

a meanswherebydisputescouldbe reasonably

resolved

duringor afterbusiness

hours".TheAdvisory

Grouprecognized

thatnationwide

discovery

costs,in largepaft,area majorcontributor

to theoverallcostof litigation.The

AdvisoryGrouprecognized

thatthis problemexistsin thisdistrict,but nat significantly.

6z8u.s.c.s473(aXE)

ili+i

TheCourt,aftercarefulconslderation

oftheAdvisory

Group'srecommendation

and

theprinciple

setoutin s473(a)(5),

declines

to establish

anynewprocedures

andpolicies

whichwouldaddressissuesof discovery

disputes.TheCourtbelieves

thatat thistime

LocalRulec-7(0(S)Motionscontainssufficient

authorityfor the Courtto enforceand

resolvediscoverydisputesin thisdistrict.(SeeAppendixC.) LocalRuleC*7requiresa

movingpartyto filea statement

thatthepartieshaveconferredin goodfaithandthatthey

areunableto resolvetheirdisagreement

withoutcourtinteryention.

Further,

the Court

reaffirmsits commitment

to the bar and litigantsof its sensitivity

to discoverydisputes,

and,in particular,

to the issueof thehighcostof deposing

expertwitnesses.

AlternativeDisputeResolutionT

The AdvisoryGrouprecommended

to the Courtthat ADR programsnot be

in this district. ($eeAppendixB.) The AdvisoryGroupdid recommend,

established

however,

thatthe CourtshouldidentifyADRresources

in thedlstrictor adiacentdistricts,

if requested,

timeto exploreADRoptions.

andmakeavailable,

sufficient

The Court,aftercarefulconsideration

of the recommendations

of the Advisory

Group,theADRoptionsenumerated

in s473(a)(6)(B)

of theAct,anda reviewof existing

AOHprogramsin placein stateandfederalcourts,concurswiththerecommendaticn

and

'?Bu.s.c,s473(a)(6)

I l l ,r

declinesto establishcourt-annexed

ADRprogramsin the WesternDistrictof Arkansas.

TheCourt,will,as recommended

bytheAdvisory

Group,preparea pamphlet

listingthe

variousADRresources

andoptionsavailable

in thisdistrictandin adjoining

districts.

ilt.

CJRA LITIGATIONMANAGEMENT

AND COSTAND DEI-AYREDUCTION

Section473(b)of the Act requireseach districtcourt, in consultation

with its

Advisory

Group,to consider

certaintechniques

management

ol litigation

andcostand

delayreduction.Thesetechniques

areas follows;

Joint Discovery{aseManagement

Plans

TheCourt,aftercarefulconsideration

of thistechnique,

declines

to adoptanynew

procedures

or rulesto addressthis issue. TheCourtbelieves

thatour presentcase

procedures

management

andpolicies

aresound,Additional

requlrements

to theparties

wouldonlyincreasecostsandwouldbe counterproductive.

8eBu.s.c.

5473(b)

eaBu.s.c.s473(bx1)

'l-,jt.l

PretrialconferencesAttendedby AttorneysWithAuthorityto Bind1o

to adoptor amend

TheCourt,aftercarefulconsideration

ol thistechnique,

declines

pretrial

conferences

ourlocalrulewhichwouldexplicitly

to have

require

counsel

a$ending

bindingauthority.TheCourtbelieves

which

thatLocalFuleD+ PretrialConference,

is satisfactory

in its presentform.

requirestrialcounselto attendallpretrialconferences,

Requirement

That Extensionsof Time be Signedby Attorneyand

partyll

TheCourt,aftercarefulconsideration

of thistechnique,

declinesto adoptsucha

takingintaaccountthe

requirement.

Theproposal,on itsface,hasmerit.Nevertheless,

geographics

of theWesternDistrictof Arkansas,

andthefactthatpartiesarenot always

available

for signature,

it wouldseemthatthe potentialcostsin dollarsand losttimefar

exceedsthe benefit,

EarlyNeutralEvaluationlz

TheCourt,aftercarefulconsideration

such

of thistechnique,

declinesto establish

as an ADBoptionwasconsidered

a programin thisdistrict.Earlyneutralevaluation

loz8u.s.c.s473(bX2)

1128

u.s.c.

5473(bX3)

1?29

u.s.c.s473(bX4)

rt,rr

the Court alongwith otherADR techniques,The Court believesthat EarlyNeutral

Evaluation

has someusefulness

andwouldbenefitcertaincourts. TheCourtbelieves,

however,that the WesternDistrict'sgeographics

and limitedpool of expertattorney

evaluators

wouldcallintoquestion

thepracticality

of sucha program,andfurtherthecost

in resources

sndtime.

Representative

of PartyWithAuthorityto Bind to be PresentDurlng

Settlement

Conferences

ThisCqurt,bymeansofthesettlement

conference

scheduling

order(SeeAppendix

D),requiresthatat eachsettlement

conference

an individual

be presentwhohasbinding

in the Western

authorityto settlethat action. This shallcontinueto be a requirement

Districtof Arkansas.

OtherAppropriateMattersfor Conslderatlonla

An ereaof concernldentified

by the AdvisoryGroupconcerned

the failureof the

judgement.

particularly

motions,

motionsforsummary

Courttopromptlyactondispositive

"thattheCourtexamineitscurrent

(SeeAppendixB.) TheAdvisoryGrouprecommended

13aB

u.s.c.$473(bXF)

tazeu.s.c.s473(bx6)

l:ltJ i:

methodsfor processing

thesemotionsandemployits besteffortsto promptlydispose

of thosemotions".

TheCourt,afterconsideration

of thisrecommendation

andcriticism,

disagrees

with

the underlyingpremise.The Courtdoesacknowledge,

nevertheless,

that an internal

reviewof its disFositive

motionproceduresmayproveuseful. Accordingly,

the Court

agreesto Internallyreviewand examineits presentmethodsand proceduresfor

processing

suchmotions,andfurther,increasecourtsensitivity

to the prompthandling

of dispositive

motions.

tv.

PERIODICDISTRICTCOURTASSESSMENT15

Section475of theCivilJusticeReformAct requiresan annualassessment

of the

condition

oftheCivilandCriminal

docketto determine

appropriate

actions

thatwillreduce

practice

costand delayin civillitigationandthatwillimprovethe litigationmanagement

of the Court.

To meetthe requirements

of Section475of theAct,theCourt,throughthedistrict

clerk'$office,shallon a yearlybasis,completean assessment

of theworkof the Court.

Theassessment

shallincludean analysis

of allstatistical

data- civilandcriminal,

a suruey

1528

u.s.c.$+zs

: " { ., 11

of attorneys,litigantsand courtstaff,and an internalreviewof the casemanagement

policies

andprocedures

of theCourt.

The resultsof the yearlyassessment

shallbe transmitted

to the Advisorycroup

for commentand/oraction.TheAdvisoryGroupmay,on the basisof the results,offer

suggestions

for improvement

andotherappropriate

actionsthatwillimprovethelitigation

practicesof the Court.

management

: t t li

APPENDIX

CIVILJUSTICEREFORMACT

PUBLICI*AW101*650-DEC.

1, 1990

r04$TAT.5089

Public Law 101-650

101stCongress

An Act

To provide for tho appointmentoI additional Fnderalcircuit snd district judge8,snd

for oth.r purpoa€E

D€f, r, ISS0

[H.R. $3t6]

..Be it enacted_by the. Senate cnd House of Eepresenlatiuesof the

United,_Statesof America in Congressassem'bled,That this Act'may Judicisl

be cited as the "Judicial ImproveinentsAct of 1990".

Impmnomcntr

TITLE I-CIVIL JUSTICEEXPENSEAND

DELAY REDUCTIONPLANS

Act of 1990.

Courtr,

28 USC I note.

Cieil Ju8tice

Rofond Act of

1990.

SEc.IOI.SHORTTITLE.

28 USC I noto,

This title may be cited as the "Civil Justice Reform Act of 1990".

sEc. r02,FINDtHcs.

28 USC{tI note.

The Congremmakesthe following findings;

-_tl) th_e problems of cost and delay in civil litigation in any

United States dfutrict court must be addressedin the context oJ

the full range of demandsmade on the district court's resources

by both civil snd criminal rnatters,

(2) The courts, the litigants, the litigants' attorneys, and the

uongresaEnd the ertecutiyebranch. share responsibility for cost

and delay in ciyil litigation and its impacf on acceie to the

courts,adjudication of csseson the merits, and the ability of the

civil justice systerhto provide proper and timely judiciil relief

ror aggrleved pflrtles,

(3) The solutions to problernsof cost and delay must include

si8nifrcent contributions by the courts, the lirigant-s, the litigant-g'attorneys,and by the Congressand the executivebranch.

(,1)In identifyine, .developing,snd implementing solutions to

pr.oblemsot' cost end delay in civil litigation, it is necessaryto

schleve I thethorl oI consultation so that individual iudicial

ofFtcers,litigan_ts,and litigants' attorneys who have developed

t€chniqueefor litigation managementarid coetand delsy red-uction can qffectively and promptly communicate those tech,

niques to all participants in the civil justice system,

(5) Evidencesuggeststhat an effec-tivelitigition manasement

and cost and delay reduction program shorild incorporate sev.

eral iht€rrelated principles,including(A) the differential treatment of casesthat provides for

individualized and specific managementaccordjnc to their

needs,complexity,driration, and plobable litigatioi careers;

(B) early,involvement ofa judiiial offricerin planning the

pr_ogress

ot'a ceBe,controlling the discovery process,and

schedulinghearings,trials, and other litigstion events;

attorneys during the pretrial process;and

r l . ]i ;

a0-lltO-gOlt!01

104STAT.5090

1, 1990

PUBLICLAW 101-650-DEC.

(Dl utilization of alternative dispute resolution progralns

ih apDroDriatecsses.

(6) Beiiusd the increasingvolume and completrityof civil and

criminal casesimposesincr'easinglyheavy workload burdenson

judicial officers,cierhs of court, and other court personnel,it is

irecessary to create an effective administrative structure to

ensure bngoing consultation and communication req4rding

effective litigation management and cost and delay reduction

principler and techniques.

STATES

CODE.

SEC.

T03.AITTENDI}IENTS

TOTITLE?8.UNITED

(a) Ctvrt Ju$rcn Expnr'tseAxo DELAyRuoumtox Pr.rus.-Title

28, United StetesCode,is amendedby inserting after chapter 2I the

following new chapter:

"CHAPTER 23-CIVIL JUSTICE EXPENSE AND DEL,itY

REDUCTION PI,ANS

"{71. Bcquircment for I di.skict court civil

iuEtice exPen8€and dclay reduction

PlAn.

"{?e, Dc:rrclopmGnt

8nd irdpleFentEtionof a civil jurtice expen* and delay reduc'

tion Dhn.

"4?3, Coneni of civil jurtice erpcnre end delay reductionplans.

"47d. Review of district court Ection,

"l?5, PGriodlcdiEtict court aarorrmrnL

",176.Enhsnenent of judicid informatiofi diEr€mintrtion.

",17?.Modrl civil ju,cticr cxpcnrernd delsy reduction

Plan.

"4?8, Advirory

eroupr.

"479, lnformation

on litigatioD moDtrgement

end co6tend del8y rEducLion

'1d80,Tralning pro8.r'amE.

"t181, Automsiad cla€ informEiion,

"182. Dcfnition*

REporll.

"S 4?1. Requirement for a district court civil iustice exPeneeand

delay reductlon plan

"Tlrere ehall be implemented by egch United Stat€s distf,ict court'

in sccordance$tith'this title, ri civil juttice expense and delay

reduction plan. The plan may be a plan'developedby such district

court or a-ruodel plair developedby-the Judiciril Conferenceof the

Unitcd Statrs, Thi purposesof each plan are to facilitate deliberst€

adudication of civif csseson the merits, monitor discovery'improve

litligation manag.ement,s.nd ensure just, EPeedy'ald inexpensive

reaoluttonSol clvll .lrEPutts'

"$ 4?2, Developthentard implementEtionofa civil juttice exPense

end delayreductionPltn

"(a) The civil justice expenseand delay reduction plan imple

mented by a district court shall be developedor selected,ss the case

mev be, Cfter considerationof the recommendationsof an advisory

sro-uo

" "ttit apoointedin accordancewith section4?8of this title'

tti" advigory group of a United St^at* district court Ehall

aubmit to the corrrt i tepbrt, which shall be made available to the

and which shall includenublic "(l)

sn Essessmentof the matters referred to in subsection

(cX1)l

'(i) the basis for its recommendationthat the district court

develone plan or selecta model plan:

"(3) iecommendedmeasures,rules and

Prograrns;snd

PUBLIC LAW 101-650-DEC.r, 1990

104STAT.5091

"(4) an explanation of the manner irr which the recommended

olan comoiieswith eection4?Sof this title.

"(dxl) In developingits recommendations,the advisory group of a

of the

diEtrict court shall promptly completea thorough Bssessment

Btst€ of the court's civil and criminal dockets. In performing the

e.ssossfteflt

for a dfutrict court, the advisory group shall"(A) determine the condition of the civil and criminal dockets;

"(B) identify trends in casefilings and in the demandsbeing

placed

- "(C) on the court's resources;

identify the principal causeeof cost and delay in civil

litigation, giving considerationto such potential causesas court

proceduresand the ways in which litigants and their attorneys

approach

-n(D) and conduct litigation; and

exshine the exteit to *hich costs and delays could be

reducedby a better asoessmentof the impact of new legislation

on thc courts.

"(2) In developingits recommendations,the advisory group of a

dittrict court ehall talce into account the particular needs and

circumstgncesof the diBtrict court, litigants in such court, and the

litigants' attorneyo.

"(3) The advisory gtoup of a district court shall eneure that its

recommendedactions include si8irificant contributions to be made

by the court, the liticants, and the litiggnts' attorneys toward

reducing cost and delay and thereby facilitating accessto the courts.

"(il The chief judse of the district court shall trensmit a copy of

the plaa implemented in accordancewith subsection(a) and the

.report preparedin accordancewith subsection(b) of this sectiont,e

"(l) the Director of the Administrative Office of the United

States Courts;

"(2) the judicial council of the circuit in which the district

court is located: and

"(3) the chiefjudge of each of the bther United Statesdistrict

courts locatedin such circuit.

"S 473. Content of civil juatice expenseand delay teduction plans

"(a) In formulating the provisionsof its civil justice expenseand

delay reduction plan, each United Stetes district court, in consultation trith an advisory Eroup appointedunder section4?8of this title'

shall consider and may include the following principles and guide

lines of litigation rnanagementand co6tand delay reduction:

"(1) eystematic,differential treatment of civil cssesthat tai'

lorc the level of individualieedand casespecificmanagementto

such criteria as casecomplexity, the amount of time rea.tonably

neededto prepare the casefot trial, and the judicial afld other

resourcesiequired and available for the preparation and dis'

position of the ca5e;

"(2) early and ongoing control of the pretrial processthrough

involvement ofa judicial offrcerin"(A) assessingand planning the progtessof a casel

"(B)

setting early, firm trial dates,such that the trial is

scheduledto-occuf within eighteen months after the frling

of the "(i)

complaint, unless a judicial officer certifies thatthe demandsof the caseand its complexity make

such a trial date incompatible with serving the ends of

justice; or

,i{}ii

IO4STAT.5092

PUBLICLAW 101-650-DEC.1. 1990

"(ii) the trial cannot reasonablybe held within such

time because of the complexity of the case or the

number or complexityof pendingcrimin6l casesl

"(C) controlling the ext€nt of discoveryand the time for

completion of discovery, and ensuring compliance with

appropriate requesteddiscovery in a timely fashion; and

"(D) Bettins.at the earliest practicabletime, deadlinesfor

filing motionCand a time framework for their disposition;

"(3) for all cssesthat the court or an individual judicial officer

determi$esare complex and any other approFriate csEes,care'

ful and deliberatemonitoring through a discovery+asemanage'

ment conferenceot a series of such conferencesat which the

presidine

oflicer'

"(A)iudicial

exploresthe pafries' receptivity to, and the propriety

oi "(B)

settlementor proceedingwith the litigation;

identifree or formulates the principal issues in

contention and, in appropriate cases, proi'ides for the

stagedresolution or bifurcation of issuesfor trial consistent

witl Rule 42(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure;

"(C) preparega discovery scheduleand plan consistent

with any presumptive time limits that a district court may

set for thC compldtion.ofdiscoveryand rvith any proceduree

a district court may developte

"(i) identify and limit the volume of discoveryavailable to avoid unnecessaryor unduly burdentome or

expensivediscovery;and

"{ii) phase discovery into two or more. stages;snd

"(D) eets, at the earliest practicsble time, deadlines for

filing motions and a time fiameworh for their disposition;

"(4) encouragementof cost+ffective discovery through vol'

untatf exchan8leof informalion a.uronglitigants and their sttorneys and through the ute of cooperative discovery devices;

t'(6) conren'ation of judicial regources by prohibiting the

considetation of discovery motions unleag accomPaniedby q

certifrcatiou that the moving Party has made a teasonable snd

good faith effort to reach egteement with opposing couneel on

the matters set forth in the motion: and

"(6) authorizstion to refer appropdete caqes to alternative

diepute

reeolution programs that*

- "(A)

have bien-desienatedfor use in a district coult; or

"(B) the court may make available, including mediation,

minitrial, snd summaryjury trid.

"ft) In formulaiing the provisibni of its civil justice expenseand

delay reduction plsn, esch United StateEdistrict court, in coneultation'with an advigoryEroupappoillted under section4?8of this title'

ehall considerand may inciludi the following Iitigation managernent

delay reduction techniques:

and cost

"(l)and

a requiiement that counsblfor eachparty to a casejointly

present a discovery+asemanaBemehtplar for the csEeEt the

initial pretrial cohferettce,oi explairi the reasons for their

failure to do so;

"(2) a requirement that esch partv be representcdat each

pretrial conferenceby aa attorniv wtro trai the authority to

bind that party regarding all mat-terspreviously identified by

the court for discussionat the conferehceand all reasPnably

relsted rdatt€rsi

r | l I

PUBLICLAW 101-650-DEC.]. 1990

104STAT.5093

"(3) a tequirement

that all requeetsfor efitensioneof deed.

lines for corirpletionof discoveryoi for postponcmentof the trial

be..$iglledby the attdrney shd the party making the request;

"(4)

a neutral evaluation Drotrarn

for the Dresentationof the

-cssi

legal and factual bflEisof a

to a neutral court representa*

tive selectadby the court at a nonbinding conferenceconducted

early in the litigation;

"(5) a reouirement that. unon notice bv the court. representatives of thri parties with auihoritv to bind them in settlement

discussionebe present or available by telephone during any

settlement conference:and

"(6) such other features

as the district court considersappropridtE after considering the recommendationsof the advisory

gtoup referred to in section4?2(a)of this title.

"(c) Nothing

rn a civil iustice expenseend delav reduction plan

relating to the settlement authoritj provisionsof lhis section s:hall

Elter or conflict with the authority of th6 Attorhey General to

conduct litigation on behalf of the United States,or airy delegation

of the Attorney General.

"$ 474.Reviewof dktrict

court action

"(aXl) The chief judc€6

of each district court in a circuit and the

chief judge of the coqrt of appeals for such circuit ehail, as a

comluitte6"(A) review eech plan

and report submitted Durguanl to

rection 472(d)of this title: etld

"(8) make such

suggesiionsfor additional ectiofls or modified

actions of tlrat district court ss the cornmitteeconsidersappre

plltatf for reducing cort and delay in civil litigation in the

llrEtnct court.

"(2) fhe chiefjudge

of a cour.tof appealsand the chiefjudge of a

di8trict court may desimat€ another iudge of such court to perform

-of

the chief judge's resporribilities rirlddr paragraph (l)

thie

gubaectron"(b) The Jqdicial

Conferenceof the United Statcs"(f) rhall roview

each Dldh and reoort submitted by a dktrict

putEuent to section4?2(d)of this title; and

court

"(2) may requegt

the district court to take additional action if

the Judicial Conferencedeteffdines thet such court has not

adequatelytespondedto the conditionsrelevant to the civil and

criminal docketsof the court or to the recommendationsof the

di.etrictcourt'r advisory8toup,

"S 47S.Prrlodic district court assessment

"After developing

or selecting a civil justice expenseand delay

reduction plan. each United States district court shall assessannually the condition of the court's civil and criminal docketswith a

view to determining appropriate additional actions that mdy be

taken by the court to reducecost and delay in civil litigation and to

improve the litigation mansgement practices of the court. In

performing such a.ssessment,

the court shall consult with an advisory gtoup appointed in accordancewith section 4?8 of this title.

"S {?G.Enhancementofjudicial information disseminntion

"(a) The Difectoi of the Administrative Office of the United States Raporu,

Courts shall prepare a semiannual report, available to the public,

that diaclosesfor eachjudicial officer-

104STAT.5094

E"port.

PIIBLIC LAW 101-650-DEC.1, 1990

"(1) the rrumber.of rnotions that huu"'b*"n pending for mote

thah Bix months and the name of each csse in which such

motion has been pendinE;

"(2) the numbei of bench tritls thdt have been Eubnritttd for

hore theh ti:t rnohths and the name of esch caso in rvhich such

trials

under submission:and

"(3)are

the number end names of cases that have not been

terminated within three yesiB aftrr frlinE,

"(b) To eneure uniformity of reporting, the standards for categodzation or characterizatibn ofjuilicial actions tn be prescribed in

accordancewith eection 481 of this titie shall epply to the semiannual report preparedunder tubeection(a).

"E 477,Modolcivit

Jurticcexpcnseand delayreductionplsn

"(aXl) Btsed on the plans developedaad implementad by the

United States district courts designatedas Early Implementstion

District Courts pursuant to section 103(c)of the Civil Justice Reform

Act of 1990. tf,e Judicial Conference of the United States may

developone or more model civil jrrstice exptneeand delay reduction

plans. Any tuch model plan thall be accompanied,by d. rePort

explaining the manner in which the plan complieslrrith Eectron{13

of ihis tide.

"(2) The Director of ttre Federal rludicial Center and the Director

of the Adminfutrative Offtce of the United States Coutts may malre

tecommendationtto the Judicial Conferenceregarding the.develop

ment of anv model civ iustice exDenseand delav reduction plan.

"ft) The birector of the Administiative Office of the United Statee

C-ourk thall transmit to the Unitcd Statd€ district courts and to the

Committees on the Judiciary of the Senate and the House of Rep

resentatives copies of any model plan and accomPanying report.

"S {78. Adviroty groups

"(a) Withia ninety days after the date of *re enactment of thi.e

chapter. the advieorv riup required in eadr United Stfltes digtrict

coufo in acio.droce'with eictioir 4?2 of this title ahall be appointed

by the ehief jrrdge of each digtrict court, after consultation with the

other ludeeeof euchcourt.

"GiTh-e advisory

Eroup of E district court EhEll be balanced and

include attornevs dnd othlr pereonswho are representativeof major

categories of litigants in such court, as deteirnined by the chief

ofguch court.

-iudee

"G) SuUjectto eubsection(d), in no event thall any member of the

advisory

sroup eerveionget than four years.

"(d) No-twitfutonding

iubeection (c), the UniEd States Attoffiey

for a Judicial district, or his or her designee, thall be e Permanent

member of the advisorygroup for that district court,

"(e) The chief judgd of a-United States district court may des-each

sdviBory8rouP,who may be compensated

ip:rate a reporter Tor

ii accordancewith euidelinesestablishedby the Judicial Conference

of the Unitd StatE6,

"(0 Thg membersof an advisorTgroup of a U-nitedStatesditttict

'as

court and any person designated a rriporter for such group shall

bt consideredas indep€ndentcontractorgof such court when in the

performance of official duties of the advisory gtoup and rnay notl

iolely by reaaon of service on or for the advisory group, be prohib'

itad from practicirg IEw beforesuch court.

.t...1

PIJBLICI,AW 101-650_DEC.1, I99O

"$ 479. Inforrnntion

r04STAT.5095

on litigation managementand cost end delay

reduction

"(a)

Within fggr years after the date of the enactment of thiE

chapt€r, ttle .Iudicia] Conferenceof the United States shall prepare

a_compr_ehensivereport on all plans received purtuant to'sec:tion

4J2(dlof thic title. Ttre Director of the Federal iudicial

Centcr snd

the Director of- the Adfrinistrative Olhce ;i tiru U"itua St t",

ltral(e recommendationsregarding Euch report to the

laTlF,rujly

(l)|rleb6nced-urrhgthe preparation of the repori.

The Ju,

iP+qql

srsrpr LlJnrerencesheu trantuit coFiedof the report to the United

btat€E dratrrct courta and to the Committeer on the Judiciary of the

Seuateand ttre House of Repreoentativer.

"(b) the

.Iudicial Confeience of the United'states shall, on a

continuing basir"(l) study. ways

!o improve litigation rtranagernentsnd d.ispute rerolution oen'icesin the district courts; ant

"(2) ueJre. recomurendations

to the dietrici cou"t" or, *"y= ,o

irnprove euch services.

"!c{! t.te

Judicial Conferenceof the United Statesshall prepare, Govcrnnent

pe-godically reviae, and transmit to the United St"tes di"t.i"t cou#

publicstionr,

d lvlanusl lbr Litigation Msuagemght ard Coet and

-it DelEy Reduction.

The Director of tf,e Federal Jiaicial C"n-t"i La

" n-#ector of the

Adhirristrative Office of the United States E""rli- mi.v make recommeudations regarding- the preparation of aad- any' suUiequent

revisions to the Minual"(2)

Tlre.Msnual-ehall be developedafter careful evaluation of the

prarE lmplementedunder Eection472of this title, the demonstretion

under gectiou 104 of the Ciuil J;;Iil; Rei"rm

. progrqln-.conduc-ted

Act of 1990,and the pilot prograrn conduciedunder iition lOE of

the Civil Justice lteform Aci of-1990.

,..itSl.fhe Matrual shall conta.ine de$cription and analysis of the

management,_cost and d6jay reduction prinsiples and

Irga?on

ttcrrluq_ue€rarrd alt€r,native

disprrte resolution protranns considered

moet effective-by the Judicial Conference, ttre bir"ectoi ot the Fedelal {rggrcial ftnter, aad the Director of the Administrative Office

of the Uuited Stetes Courts"S {80. Training programt

'"Iho Director

of the Federal Judicisl Centrr and the Director of

AjsF i:trative Oflice.of the Unir€d Sts-t€sCourts ,ini a."".f"p

!!e,

and. couduct

education and traifling progranrs m

,go.mp5ghgnqive

judicial officers,clerks of court, court-roirm

ensure.that all

teprrties,

anq o[ner approprratecourt p€rsonnelare thoroughly familiar with

\tle modt recent available information and analysis ibout litigation

rtlEnagEm6ntdnd ottrer techniques_forreducing costdfld expe-diting

!h1 reoolud3l. of civil .litiga-rioi. The curricui'um ofru.t iraininE

progran$

shall b+ periodically revisLd to reflect such informstioi

ang analyS€s.

"S 481.

Autometed caseinformation

"(a) The Director

of the Administrative Office of the Uhited Stareg

Courts shall ensure that each United Stat = aisirici court t"s the

altgmaFd ganability readily to retrieve inforrnation aborrt thi

srarusol eechca.sein such court.

"(bXl)

In carrying out ruboection(a),the Director shsll prescribe-

I I .,1'r'"

104STAT.5096

PUBLICLAW 101-650-DEC.

1, 1990

"(A)

the information to be recorded in district court auto.

mated 6ystems;and

'tBt sta-ndards

for uniform categorizstionor characterization

of judicial actions for the purposJ of recoraing intlr;at'i;'-o;

judicial aclions in the disrritt cburt automatediyst**, "---" -"

."(2)

The uniform standards prescribed

pu,lucr-";h (tXB) of

undli

this subsection shall include

definition of ;Gi-;;;rit,;i;;

;

dismissalof a caseand Btanddrd$for measuringrh; perj;ii fo;;lic[a motion has beenpendins.

"(c) Each

Rccordr.

United StateJ district court shall record information as

prescribedpursuant to subsection(b) of this secuon.

"S 482.Del-rnitions

"Ar used

in_this chapter, the term ,judicial officor' tneans a

United Srates district coirrt judge or , UiriteJ-E-tatei-;"ci;1r;G.'1

?8usc {?r nora. (b) IMpr.EMENTrTrox.*(l)E*cept as provided in section IoJ of this

Act,eachunitedstaresdisrricrcburtihatt,wittriniirill v"ur, "ii*i

the dateof ,the.enactmenr

of this title, iinplemeni; ci"il XEli;;

d_elayreduction plan under s-ection471 of tiile ?9,

F1p.gnqe^a1d

Unrted litates eode,as addedby subsection(a).

^^tZJ_Tfereguirembntseet forih in sectioni i?I through 4?g of title

28, United Ststes Code,as added by Eubsection(a), sh"all."r""i" ln

effect for severlyears ifter th* dafe of the enactrnentof this title.

28U$C,l7lnqtE. (c)Eenr.yfi"rnr.brdrntAtl9r,r

DrsrnrCtCounrs._

(1) Any_

llnited.Ststes di5trict court that, no earlier than

June30,1991,andno tarerthan olilmEi-btll9-gi-d;rdiipi

R.portl.

and implementsa civil justice expenseand delay reduction plin

under chapter 23 of tiile Zg, Uiired Stetes C.ode,as addei bv

Bubsection-(a),

shall be designatedby the Judicial Conferencedf

the Unitrd States as an Early ImpilementationDistrict Court.

(2) The_chiefjudgeof a district so designatedmay apply to the

-tcchnoJudiciel Conferencefor additional ,esolrces, inclirdi'nl

logical and prersonnelsupport and informaiion syst;ns. nei_

essaryto implement its civil justice expenseand delay reduction

plan. The Judicial Conferencemay provide euchreroirrcesout of

funds appropriatedpurruEnt to Beitlion106(d.

(3) Within 18 rnoiths after the date of the enactment of this

title, the Judicial Conferenceshall preparea report on the plans

deyelgnedand implemented by thi Early Impiementatio; District Courts.

(4) The Director of the Administrative Office of the Unitrd

StaresCourts shall transmir to the United States Aisiiittiourts

and to tle Committees on the Judiciary of the $enate and

Houseof Representativet(A) copiesof the plaru developedand implementedby the

Eq4l Implementation District eourts;

(B) the r.,ports submitt€d by euchdistrict courk pursuant

to Eectiondlz.(d)of title ZB,United States Code,"s idded by

subeection(a):and

of this subsection.

(d) TecuNtcrr. r_r,rpCowronulNc AusxolrtENr.-The table of chap.

t€r6-for pF4 I of title !8, Unitrd States Code, is ameriaea Uf"aa-i-ris

at the end thereofthe following:

-t3. Ciyil jurtlcc

crpcnrt rhd dcl4v rtductlon

i, i,1

{ 7 t"

PUBLIC LAW r01-650-DEC. 1, 1990

104STAT.5097

$PC, IO{. DEMONSTRATIOHPROCRAM.

(a),Ix GsNEs^1.-(l) During the 4-year period beginning on January l, 1991, the Judicial Cdnferenia of tir" U"iGa Stites ehalt

conduct a demonstrationprograrh in accordancewith subsectionft).

(Z) 4 district court participating in the demonsiraiion progTam

may also be an Early lmplementaiion District Court undei seition

103(c).

(b) Pnocnrv RtQutttr'rpr+r,*(1) The United States District Court

for the Western District of Michigan and the United States Distrjct

Court for the Northern Districl of Ohio shall exoeriment with

Ey6telrr8of differentiated cd.Bemanagehent that provide specifically

for the.asrignment of casesto applopriate processinstiacks tha'+

operate under distinct and explicit rules. irocedure]. and tiffiF

frames for the completionof discbveryand for'trial.

(Z) The United States Disrrict Court for rhe Northerb Districr of

California, the United Stdtes Disrrict Court for the Northern District of West Virginia, and the United States District Court for the

Wettern Dietrict of Missouri rhall experiment with various methods

of reducing gost and delay in civil litigation, inclufling alternarive

dBpute resolution, that such Ci8trict courts atld the Judicial Conferonceof the United Starff shall eelect.

. (c) 9ruoy or Rrsurrs.-The Judicial Conferenceof the United

States, in consultation with the Director of the Federal Judicial

Centcr and ttre Director of the Adhinistrative Offrce of the United

$lates Courts,shall rtudy the experienceof the district courts uhder

tne demonttration DtoEa$r,

_ (d) Rtponr.-Nof latlr than Decembergl, 1995,the Judicial Conferenceof tho United StatesEhall rransmit tb the dommitteeoon the

Judiciary ofthe Senateand the Houseof Representativ*"" .*po.t oi

the regults of the dGhonstration program.

SEC. 105,PIUII PROCBAM,

(s) br GrupnAr-(l) During the 4.year period besinninc on January I, 1991, the Judicial C6nferenie of the Unitea S6tes shall

conducts pilot program in accordancewith subsection(b).

(2) A dietrict court participating in the pilor proEram shall be

desigaatedss an Early Implementation Distiict Corrrt rrndersection

103(c).

(b) Pnocneu RrqunrvnrTs,{l)

Ten dirtrict courts (in this section referred to as "Pilot DistricLs") desienated bv the Judicial

Conferenceof the United Stat€sshall impleirent e*pinse and delay

reduction plans under chapter 23 of title'ZB, United'States C<rde(s;

added by eection 103(a)),-not ldter than December BI. 1991, In

sddition to complying with aIl other applicableprovisionsof chanter

23 of title 28, United Stares Code (as idded bi section 103(a)).'the

expenseand delay reduction Flans implemented by the pilot Districts shall include the 6.principles irnd guidelines of litigation

rnanagement and cost end delay reduction identified in section

473(a)of title 28, United StatesCoile.

(2) At least 5 0f the Pilot Districts desiexated bv the Judicial

Conference shall be judicial districts encolmpassingmerropolitan

area6.

(3) The expense..and

delay reduction plans implementedby the

Pilot Districts shall remajn jn effect for a period bf 3 vears, At the

end of that. E-year period, the Pilot Distiicts shall no longer be

required to include, in their expenseand delay reduction plans, the

, . :I 1 i

?8 USC,l71note.

28 USC,t?r nol4,

104STAT.5098

PUBLICLAW 101-6S0-DEC.

1, 1990

6 principles and guidelinesof litigation managementand cost and

delav reductiondescribedin parasraph(l).

(ci Pnocmru Srunv Enponr.*-(l)'Not later than December31,

1995,the Judicial Conferenceshall submit to the Committeeson the

Judiciary of the Senate and House of Representativesa report on

the results of the pilot proEram under this sectionthat includesan

assessment

ofthe extent to which costsand delayswere reducedas a

result of the prograrrr.The report sha.llcomparethose results to the

impact on costsand delays in ten comparablejudiciel districts for

which the application of section 4?i(a) of title 28, United States

Code.had been discretionarv.That comparisonshall be basedon a

, $tudi conductedby an inde-pendentorginieation with expertieein

the area of Federalcourt manasement.

(2)(A)The Judicial Conferenie shall include in its report a re+

ommendationas to whether some or all district courts should be

required to include, in their e*penseand delay reduction plans, the

6 principles and cuidelines of litisation managementand cost and

delay reiluction iilentified in sectio-n4?3(d of ti-tle 28, United States

Code,

G) If the Judicial Conferencerecommendsin its report that some

ot all district courG be required to include such principles snd

euidelinesin their exDenseCnd delav reduction plans, the-Judicial

Conferenceshall initiate proceedirrgifor the prlscription of rules

iryp_lgmenlingits recommCndation,pursuant to chap6r 131of title

28,United $tates Code.

(C)If in its report the Judicial Conferencedoesnot recommendan

expansionof the pilot program under subpara$aph (A), the Judicial

Cohferenceshall-ideniifyalternative, more efTeciivecost snd delay

raduction prosrams that should be implemented in lisht of the

findings of thE Judicial Conferencein iis report, and tEe Judicial

Conferencemay initia&e proceedingsfor the prescription of rules

implementing i-tsrecommindation,iursuant to chapter 131 of title

28, Unit€d Statrs Code.

SEc. I116.AIITH ORIZATION.

(s) EARr.vIupLeMrNTefloN DIErRrcr Counrs,-There is authorized

to be appropriatednot more than $f5,000,000for fiscal yqar I99l to

csrry out the resource and pi,anning need$ necesEaryfor the ilnplementation

of section103(c).

(b) IMpr.svrr'lTr,rrox or Cnerrrn Z3.-There is authorired to be

appropriatednot lDorettran $5,000,000

for ftscal year 1991to impl+

ment chapter 23 of title 28,United StatesCode,

priated not more than $5,000,000

for fiscal year I99l to carry out the

provisionsof section104.

APPENDIXB

ADVISORYGROUPRECOMMENDATIONS

RECOMMENDATIONS

ANPfiHIR BASES

In undertakingits responsibilities

underthe Clvil JusticeReformAct the

AdvisoryGroupnot onlyfocusedits attentionon the court'sstatisticalhistory,any

but alsotook into

filingand caseloadtrends,andcourtpracticesandprocedures,

and cost and

accountthe six principlesand guidellnesof litigationmanagement

delayreductionset forth in Section473(a)of the Clvil JusticeReformAct. The

AdvisoryGroup,after considerable

discussionand analysisand data gathering,

court,one of

concludedthat the westernDistrictof Arkansasis a well-managed

whichthe bar,the lltlgantsandthe generalmembersof rhepublicshouldbe proud.

The judges and court staff should all be commendedfor their leadershipand

commitmentto the principlesof caseflowmanagement.Withouttheseattributes

it is doubtfulwhetherthe WesternDistrlctwouldenloythe successesachievedto

date.

its responsibilities

underthe CivilJustlce

TheAdvisoryGroupin discharging

"make

ReformAct is requiredto

a thoroughassessment

of the stateol the court's

"examlne

civil and criminaldockets',and in dolng so,

and identifythe principal

to such potential

causesof cost and delayin civil litigation,givingconsideration

causesas court proceduresand ways in which litigantsand their attorneys

approachand conductlitlgation".lThe CivilJusticeRetormAct furtherrequires

measures,

rules

thattheAdvisoryGroupsubmita reportcontainingrecommended

Theserecommendations

andprograms,andthebasislor thoserecommendations,

are to be madein the contextol the

particularneeds and circumstancesof the court, the lltlgantsand counsel.

Accordingly,

withthatconiextin mind,theAdvisoryGroupmakesthefollowingfour

recommendations.

The western District of Arkansas should establish a

oifferentiated

CaseManagement

Program.Theprogramwould

be limitedto caseswhichfall into the categoryof "complex".

Complexwould be deflned as cases having the following

characteristics:

numerousand possiblyuniquelegalissues,

lcivil JusticeReformAct,?8 U.s.c.a72(c)(1)(G)

l l r

extensivediscovery,

greaterthan usual numberof expertwitnesses,large

numberof partlesand extendedtrial days.

class

Casetypes may include:antitrust,patentInfrlngement,

lssues,

mass

torts,

actions,environmental

actions,malpractice

securities,tax suits and product liability. The primary

componentof the programwould be the case management

conlerence.The conferencewould be scheduledwithin 120

days of the issuesbeingloined,or lrom the date of the last

responsivepleading. The purposeof the conterenceis twofold: the conference

wouldbringtogether,eithertelephonically

or in person,counselandthe coufito establishkeyintervalsin

thecase- extentof discovery,

settingof discoverycut{ff dates,

settingof deadlinesfor filing motions,and the settingof trial

wouldalsoserveas a forumfor

dates,Second,the conference

disclosediscoveryinformation,

including

counselto voluntarily

proposed

(The

key documentsand witness identification.

amendments

to Rule26 of the FederalRulesof CivilProcedure

disclosure.)

requiremandatorypre-discovery

The basisfor thls recommendation

is thatthe AdvisoryGroup

receiveda numberof commentsfromWesternDistrictattorneys

of theludges

expressing

concernwiththe schedulingpraEtices

of thls court. Membersof the bar voicedcomplaintsthat the

judgeswereinsensitive

particularly

in complex

to scheduling,

cases. Schedulingordersweretoo oftenunrealistic.Another

complaintwasthatthe courtwasinflexibleIn scheduling.Once

the schedulingorder was establishedit was impossibleto

change.An additionalcommentwas there was generallyno

consultation between the court and counsel regarding

establishing

key datesanddeadlines.

Intheviewof theAdvlsoryGroupthereis no quesiionwherethe

lies. Decisions

responsibility

for casemanagement

of caseflow

management,

schedulingand the peceof litigationare,to be

the AdvisoryGroup

sure, a ludicialfunctlon. Nevertheless,

lllqi

bellevesthatlntermsof scheduling

complexcasesthereshould

be communicatlon

betweenthe court and counsel. The case

management

cQnlerence

wouldservethat purpose.

thatnationwide

discoverycosts

TheAdvlsoryGrouprecognizes

are a malor contributorto the high cost of litigation. The

AdvisoryGrouprecognizes,

too, that this is a problemin the

Western District of Arkansas,but not a significantone.

Nonetheless,

the AdvisoryGrouprecommendsthat the court

continue to be sensitiveto dlscoverydisputes (including

of hourlyrateschargedby

disputesas ta the reasonableness

expert witnesses for giving discovery depositions) and

establlsh,lf necessary,a meanswherebydisputescould be

reasonably

resolvedduringor afterbusinesshours.Further,the

AdvisoryGrouprecommends

thatthe courlrefralnfrom making

anysubstantive

changesto discoveryprocedureuntilafterthe

proposedamendments

to the FederalRulesof CivilProcedure

are approved,modified,or relected by the United States

Congress.Further,the AdvisoryGrouprecommends

that lf the

proposalsare adopted,the court reexamlnethe district's

onlyafterit hashadsufficientexperience

discoveryFrocedures

underthe amendedrules.

Oneof the prlncipalconcernsmentionedmostfrequentlyby the

attorneysFurveyedin the westernDistrictof Arkansaswasthe

complaintthatmotionsfiledwiththe couriwerenot disposedof

pramptly. Principally,the complalnts centered around

dispositivemotlons and particularlymotions for summary

of theAdvisoryGroup,basedon

ludgments.lt is the consensus

its own experiences

and the commentsof attorneys,that the

WesternDistrictshould examineits methodsfor proce$sing

dispositivemotions,and employits best effortsto promptly

applles

dispose of those motions. This recommendation

equallyto civil and criminal.

that the WesternDistrictof

The AdvlsoryGrouprecommends

Arkan$as

alternative

dlsputeresolution

Ig! establishmandatory

(ADR)programs. The court should, however,identifyADR

l l J, r

resqurcesin this district or adlacentdlstrlcts, and make

if requestedby the parties,adequatetime to explore

available,

ADRoptionsand othersettlementpossibilities.

A minorityview is expressedin a letterfrom memberLeroyAutrey

datedMarch18,1993whichis attachedas AppendixG.

ln vlew of the handful of recommendationsthe Advisory Group

recommendsthat the district court develop its own plan. The plan

shouldspecificallyaddressthe followingissues:

planfor complex

Adoptionof a differentlated

casemanagement

cases,with particularattentionto schedulingand the case

management

confErence.

Heightened

sensitivityby ludgesto dlscoverydisputesand to

the costsassociated

withthe deposingof expertwitnesses.

Helghtenedsensitivityby ludges and staff to the prompt

motions.Measures

mayincludeInternal

handling

of dispositive

for

reviewandexamination

ol presentmethodsandprocedures

processingsuch motlons.

:l,,it,l

APPENDIXC

LOCALRULESC-7 AND D-4

, r : :I

RULEC-7

MOTIONS

(

(a)

(dl shallbeaccompanied

All motionsexceptthosEmentionedin paragraph

by a briefconsistingof a concissstatementof relevantfacts andapplicablelaw, Both

docum€ntsshallbe filedwith the Clark,and copiesshallbo servedon all otherpsrties

affectodby th6 motion.

(bl Within Blsvondays from thg df,t€ copiesof s motion and supporting

papershave beenservedupon him. any party opposinga motionshallserveand fils

with th6 Glerk a concisestatementin oppositionto the motion with supporting

authorities.Forcauseshown,the courtmay by ordershortenor lengthsnthe time for

the filing of r€sponses,

(cl

If a motionrequiresconsideration

of facts not appearingof r€cord.the

partiesmay $€rveand filq copie$of all photographs,documents,or other evidenco

daomadnecessaryin support.ofor in oppositionto the motion,in additionto 8tfidavits

requlredor p€rmitt€dby the FsderalRulosof Civil Proceduro.

(dl

No brisf is requiredfiom any party, unlessotherwisedirectedby thB

Court,with rssp€ctto the f ollowingmotionB:

(1)

To extendtime for the performance

of an oct requitedor

allowodto b6 done,providedrequestis madebefor€ths €xpirationof the

periodoriginallyprescribed,

or as BxtBnd6dby previousorder.

(21

To obtain leavo to file supplementaloI amendsd

pleadings,

(31

{41

(e)

To appoint8n sttorneyor guardianad litem.

To permitsubstitutionof p€rtiesor Ettorneys.

Pretrialmotionsfor temporaryrestrsiningolders,motionsfor preliminary

injunctions,and motionsto dismiss,shallnot be takenup snd consideredunlessset

forth in s separatopleadingsccompaniodby a soparatebrief.

(f)

motion,as requiredby

Thefailureto timelyrespondto anynondispositive

or by any

the F€dsralRulesof CivilProceduro,

the FedetalFulesof CriminalProcedure,

localrule, shallbe fln adequat€basis,without more,for grantingthe reliofsoughtin

saidmotion.

(S) All motions to compel discoveryand all other discovery-enforcsment

m0tion$and all motionsfor protectiv€ord€r$shallcontainf, $tat6m6ntby the moving

c-9

':o.i!

party that the partieshavs conferredin good faith on th6 spocificissueor issuesin

dispute and that they are not able to resolve their disagreemBnts

without the

interuBntion

of the Court, lf any suchmotionlackssucha statement,that motionmay

be dismissedsummarilyfor failureto comply with this rule. Repeatedfailuresto

complywill bo consideredsn adequatebasisfor the impositionof sanctions.

(s) through{d} Adopt6dand effectiveMay t, 198O

(b) ^Amendsd

to changeto slev€ndays effectiveJuly 1, 1988

(el Adoptedand effectiveJuly 14, 1986

(f) Adopt€dand eff€ctiveJuly 1, 1988

(g) EffectiveApril 15, lg8s

AmendedJanuary2. I 990

c-10

RULED-4

(a)

PRETRIAL

CONFERENCE

Generally. Any party may request that a cas6 be set for pretrial

conference,The requestshallspecifyth6 purpo$osto be accomplished

and must bs

approvedby the Court. Tho Court,on its own motion,may designateany ca$Bfor

pretrialconf€renc€,

(b)

InformationSheet Filing. Sevendays beforethe dst€ s6t for pretrial

conference,eachpany shall{ile with the Clerka completedpretrialinformationsheet

in the form which followsthis Rule. Copiesshallbe sentto the Judgewith a copy to

all other panies,

(cl ConductingConferences;

Prossnceof Counseland Partiss.The protrial

confsrsncewill be conductedby the Judgewho is scheduledto prssidoat tho trial.

However,th€ Judg€may referspecificcasesto be pre-triedby a full-timemagistrate

judge. . The trial counsel.shallattend the pretrial conference. Farties or their

representativesshall also attend when so directed by the Court. All pretrial

conferencesshallbe conductEdin accordancowith Fed.R. Civ. P. 16.

Adoptedand Bff€ctivsMay 1, 1980

CONFERENCE

OUTLINEFORPRETRIAL

INFORMATION

SHEET

Th€ Pretri8lConfersncsInformationShB€t$hallcontain:

(l ) Th€ id€ntity0f the partysubmittinginformation,plscoandtime of pr€trial

confslencs.

(2)

The namos,addt€ss,andtelephondnumbersof all counselfor the party.

(3)

A briof summaryof claimsand reliefsought.

(4)

ProspEcts

for settlement,if Eny' {Note:ThBGourtexpectsFttolneysto

conf€r8nd axplorethe possibitityof settlementpriorto answeringthese

inquiries).

(51 The basisfor jurisdiction0r obiectionsto jurisdiction.

(6) A list of pendingmotions,

(7)

A concisesummaryof facts,

(8)

All p.oposedBtipulations,

(9)

The issuesof fact €xpect€dto be contested,

(10) Ths issuesof law expectedto bs contosted'

(11) A list and brief descriptionof €xhibitsthat will be offeredin evidence(12l A tistand briefdescriptionof charts,graphs.modols,schematicdiagrams

snd similsrobjEctswhich will bo used in openingstatem€ntor closing

argumFntwhetheror not they will be off6redin evidenco.

(13) The name$,addresses,

andtelephonenumbet$0f witnesseswho will be

or r€butta'.

to beusedsolelyf or impeachment

called,excludingwitnBssB$

(lndicatethg nf,tursof ths t€stimonyto be given by each witness,i'e'

liability,e*pert, prop€rtydamages.painand suffering,etc'l

(141 Any requsstto amendpleadings.

1-. .

(151 Th6 currentstatus of discovery,fl precisestatementof thg remaining

discbveryand 8n sstimat€of the time requiredto compl€tediscovery.

(16) Suggestionsfor expeditingdispositionof tho action.

(171 An B$timatoof ths lengthof trial'

(18) ThEsignatureo{ th6 sttorn€y,

(191 Proofof service,

Adoptedand sff€ctiv€MaY 1, 1980

D-5

r'lj;l

APPENDIXD

ORDER

COURTSCHEDULING

fHE I]NITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

WESTERNDISTRICT OF ARKANSAS

FORT SMITH DIVISION

PLAINTIFF

CaEe No.

DEFENDANT

ORDERAETTING AETTI.,ET,IENT

CO.trTEBENSE

This

case

settlement

has

been

referred

AlL parties

conference.

the

underslgned

and their

lead

the undersigned

hereby ORDERED

TO APFEARbefore

office

for

counsel

are

at the U.S. PoEt

6th & RogerE, Fort Smith, Arlcansas, in Room

and courthouse,

2 2 9 a t 3 ! 0 0 P . M , o n F r l d a y . N o v e m b e r1 9 r 1 9 9 3 .

An insured party

shall

who ls authorized

appear by a representative

discuBs

of the insurer

and lflalce reconnendations

uninsured

corporate

au€horized

party

discuss

ehall

relating

appear

settlement.

representative

make recoruflendatJ.ons relating

and

settLement.

Each

party

sha1l,

conference,

ascertain

that

such

party

undereigned,

undersigned

talcen place,

prior

offers

communicate

trial

FhalL provide

propoaal

asked

the

proposal

the

discuEsions

an exchange of

have

demandt and

conference.

the undersigned,

the conference,

'ji!

AO 72A

(Rev.8/82)

settLenent

of the evidenc€ th6 party

3 days before

eettlement

the

the best settlement

no settlenent

encourages

to the settlement

statement

at least

court

be prepared.

that

confidence.

the

arrivlng

in good faith

can nalce and

Each party

concise

before

in confidence,

expects to produce at

The purpoBe of the

settlenent

not

the

undersigned

confidentiaL

by her,

or to the trlal

a brief

representatlve

the

In the

end,

natterE

aII

HlIL

kept

to any other party,

case,

presentation

their

held

outlining

the

each

party

shall

factual

Then separate,

case.

with

by counsel,

and

confldential

and

the

party's

1s1 .

The request

increase

will

any party

confidence

conference the parties,

(5 ninute)

will

The undersigned, of course, wiLL not serve

Judge.

highlights

To that

preolpitate

appropriate.

and wlLL not be dlsclo6ed

At the settlehent

caucureE

reached.

judge in this

a6 the trial

Iegal

that

comrnunicated

glve

case,

ln such a nanner as not to prejudica

conducted

event

this

conference

settlenent

for

partie8'

efficiency

co4ference

by reducing

expending

the ability

personal

and

effectiveness

the time

to explore

IT Is so oRDEREDthis

appearance is

for

the

comnunication

options

for

intended

Fettlement

of offers

and

settlement.

21st day of october

1993.

HON. BEVERLYR. STITES

I'NITED STATES MAGI STRATE iIUDGE

-2-

lii,lr

This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.