During witness testimony, attorneys may ask follow-up questions to clarify important facts or emphasize key points. However, when a question has already been answered, the opposing party may object that the attorney is unnecessarily repeating the same inquiry. Courts evaluate…

Before a trial begins, parties may ask the court to decide certain evidentiary issues in advance. One common method for doing so is through a motion in limine, which allows the court to address specific questions before evidence is presented…

Evidence introduced during litigation may serve different purposes depending on the circumstances of the case. While much of the evidence presented is offered to help prove or disprove disputed facts, some evidence is introduced for a more limited purpose. One…

Depositions are a common part of the discovery process and allow parties to gather testimony before trial. While depositions are routinely scheduled throughout litigation, disagreements sometimes arise regarding where a deposition should take place. When parties cannot agree on a…

Civil litigation is governed by procedural rules that help ensure cases move forward in a fair and orderly manner. When parties fail to comply with those rules, disputes may arise regarding whether consequences should be imposed for the conduct at…

Civil litigation can take months or even years to reach trial. While most cases proceed according to the court’s scheduling procedures, certain circumstances may lead a party to request trial preference. A request for trial preference asks the court to…

Appeals are generally decided based on the record that was created in the trial court. That record may include filings, exhibits, transcripts, orders, and other materials that document what occurred during the proceedings. Because appellate courts rely heavily on this…

Depositions are a routine part of the discovery process, but scheduling them is not always straightforward. Attorneys, parties, witnesses, and other participants may have competing obligations that make it difficult to agree on a date, time, or location for testimony.…

After a judgment is entered, efforts to satisfy that judgment may continue over time. In some situations, payments or recoveries may reduce the amount owed without fully resolving the judgment. When that occurs, questions can arise regarding how the remaining…

Obtaining a judgment is often an important step in a legal dispute, but it does not always result in immediate resolution. In many cases, additional efforts are required to enforce the judgment and address outstanding obligations. Sometimes, however, those enforcement…