# IN TIIE IJNITED STATES DISTRICT COTIRT > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/federal_court_rules%3Aarwd%3Aac1b58b5f532eb8f ## Record - **Collection:** Court rules - **Document type:** Court rule ## Text IN TIIE IJNITED STATES DISTRICT COTIRT WF^qTERNDISTRICT OF ARKANSAS In Re: CIVIL JUSTICE EXPENSEAND DEI,AY REDUCTION PI,AN GENE&\L ORDERNO. 24 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$^1?lt9l r^{ov I I I UNITEDSTATESDI$TRICTCOURT FORTHE WESTERNDISTRICTOF ARI(ANSAS CIVILJUSTICE EXPENSEAND DEI*AYREDUCTIONPLAN EFFECTIVEJANUARY1, 1994 t tlr:I TAEI..EOECATTIENIS CIVILJUSTICEREFORMACT PLAN WESTERNDISTRICTOF ARKANSAS PAGE 'l t. lntroduction il. CivilJusticeExpenseand DelayBeduction Plan A. Systematic, Differential Treatment of CivilCases for Furposesof Case-Specific Management 4 EarlyandOngoingControlof the PretrialProcess ThroughInvolvement of a JudicialOfficer 5 c. Treatment Special of Complex Cases o D. Encouragement of Cost-Effective Discovery Through VoluntaryExchange of Information o Reasonable andGoodFaithEffortsof Partiesto ResolveDiscovery Disputes 7 Alternative DisputeResolution I E. F. lll, ? CJRALitigation Management andCostandDelayBeduction Techniques andOtherAppropriate Matters q A. JointDiscovery4ase Management Plan I B. FretrialConferences Attendedby AttorneysWth Authority to Bind 10 l:l{l PAGE C. RequirementThat Extensionsof Time be Signedby Attorney and Party 10 D. EarlyNeutralEvaluation 10 E. Representative of PartyWithAuthorityto Bindto be PresentDuringSettlement Conferences 11 OtherAppropriate Mattersfor Consideration 11 F. tv. PeriodicDistrictCourtAssessment APPENDICES A. CivilJusticeReformAct B. AdvisoryGroupRecommendations C. ' LocalRuleC-7 Motions LocalRuleD-4 PretrialConference D. CourtScheduling Order 't li J 12 CIVILJUSTICEREFORMACTPI.AN L 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, 1. 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. 1 I rt Earlyand ongoingcontrolof the pretrialprocessby the involvement of a ludicialofficeri 3. Specialattentionto complexcases,with use of discoverymanagement conferences andothersettlement techniques; 4. Encouragement of cost€ffective discovery throughvoluntaryexchangeof information: q Prohibiting consideration of discoverymotionsunlesscounselhavemade goodfaitheffortto resolvediscoverydispute; 6. 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. 1. planbe presented Requirement thata discovery{ase management at initial pretrialconference; 2. Requirement that at pretrialconferences all partiesbe represented by an attorneywithauthorityto bindthe panyin all matters; 3. Requirement thatall requestsfor extension$ and continuarices be signed by the attorneyandpartymakingthe request; 4. programs Requirement thatneutralevaluation be established; partiesshouldbe presentwith Requirement thatat settlement conferences authority to bindin settlement discussions. 2 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 A. 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) 4 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: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 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. B. 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 $473(a)(?) of theAct. Thisis evidenced bythisdistrict'spastandpresentcircuitandnationalworkload rankings. C. SpecialTreatmentof ComplexCasesa TheAdvisoryGrouprecommended to the Court(Appendix B) that deference be grantedto "complex"casesby way of a Differentiated Case Management Program. (Section A of Plan.)TheCourt,as outlinedin SectionA, declines to establish sucha program,but doesadopta policywherebyscheduling conferences may be heldin complexcases. D. Encouragementof Cost-EffectiveDiscoveryThrough Voluntary Exchangeof Informations The AdvisoryGrouprecommended to the Court (AppendixB) that the Coun "refrainfrom makingany substantive changesto discoveryprocedureuntilafterthe proposedamendments to the FederalRulesof CivilProcedure areapproved,modified, a2Bu.s.c.$a7s(a)(B) seeu,s.c.$423(aX4) o 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) 7 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. F. 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 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; A. 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) I 'l-,jt.l B. 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, C. 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, D. EarlyNeutralEvaluationlz TheCourt,aftercarefulconsideration such of thistechnique, declinesto establish by 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) 10 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. E. Representative of PartyWithAuthorityto Bind to be PresentDurlng 13 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. F. OtherAppropriateMattersfor Conslderatlonla An ereaof concernldentified by the AdvisoryGroupconcerned the failureof the judgement. particularly motions, motionsforsummary Courttopromptlyactondispositive "thattheCourtexamineitscurrent (SeeAppendixB.) TheAdvisoryGrouprecommended 13aB u.s.c.$473(bXF) tazeu.s.c.s473(bx6) 11 l:ltJ i: methodsfor processing thesemotionsandemployits besteffortsto promptlydispose of thosemotions". TheCourt,afterconsideration of thisrecommendation andcriticism, disagrees with the underlyingpremise.The Courtdoesacknowledge, nevertheless, that an internal reviewof its disFositive motionproceduresmayproveuseful. Accordingly, the Court agreesto Internallyreviewand examineits presentmethodsand proceduresfor processing suchmotions,andfurther,increasecourtsensitivity to the prompthandling of dispositive motions. tv. PERIODICDISTRICTCOURTASSESSMENT15 Section475of theCivilJusticeReformAct requiresan annualassessment of the condition oftheCivilandCriminal docketto determine appropriate actions thatwillreduce practice costand delayin civillitigationandthatwillimprovethe litigationmanagement of the Court. To meetthe requirements of Section475of theAct,theCourt,throughthedistrict clerk'$office,shallon a yearlybasis,completean assessment of theworkof the Court. Theassessment shallincludean analysis of allstatistical data- civilandcriminal, a suruey 1528 u.s.c.$+zs 12 : " { ., 11 of attorneys,litigantsand courtstaff,and an internalreviewof the casemanagement policies andprocedures of theCourt. The resultsof the yearlyassessment shallbe transmitted to the Advisorycroup for commentand/oraction.TheAdvisoryGroupmay,on the basisof the results,offer suggestions for improvement andotherappropriate actionsthatwillimprovethelitigation practicesof the Court. management 13 : t t li APPENDIX A CIVILJUSTICEREFORMACT PUBLICI*AW101*650-DEC. 1, 1990 r04$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; (C) regular communicationbetweena judicial officer and 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 t I 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'" I 104STAT.5096 I 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 'a 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 (C) the,report preparedin accordancewith paragraph (B) 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" I t i 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