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…

A court judgment may impose obligations that take time to complete. In some situations, a party may satisfy only part of the judgment while other requirements remain outstanding. When this occurs, courts may need to address questions regarding the extent…

Court orders are intended to provide guidance, resolve disputes, and establish obligations for the parties involved in a case. In many situations, the language of an order clearly communicates the court’s decision and the actions that must follow. However, questions…

Litigation involves more than the presentation of legal arguments and evidence. Courts must also manage schedules, deadlines, discovery obligations, and procedural issues to ensure that cases move through the judicial system in an organized manner. One of the tools courts…

Lawsuits often involve multiple claims, defenses, factual disputes, and legal questions. Although these issues may arise from the same underlying dispute, courts do not always address every aspect of a case within a single trial. In some situations, courts may…

Discovery allows parties in civil litigation to exchange information relevant to the issues involved in a dispute. While discovery is intended to promote the sharing of information, disagreements sometimes arise regarding requests, responses, or the scope of information that should…