The soaring cost of litigation has become a heavy burden. Litigation costs create a barrier to entry into our courts, forcing litigants to opt out of the U.S. courts in favor of other forms of dispute resolution or, unfortunately, to settle cases without regard to the merits of the claims.
LCJ members, preeminent corporate and defense counsel, collaborate to provide compelling reasons for judges, Congress and rule makers to give serious consideration to meaningful reforms.
LCJ members, preeminent corporate and defense counsel, collaborate to provide compelling reasons for judges, Congress and rule makers to give serious consideration to meaningful reforms.
INITIATIVES
RULES FOR MDLS
ALLOCATE DISCOVERY COSTSLCJ supports amending the FRCP to require each party to pay the cost of the discovery it seeks. Such a rule would permit parties to access information that will enable fact finders to determine the outcome of civil litigation – while aligning well-proven economic incentives with the reality of modern litigation. |
CLARIFY EXPERT EVIDENCE STANDARDS
REDUCE BURDENSOME DISCOVERYLCJ has advocated for amendments to the FRCP governing discovery since 2010. On December 1, 2015, changes intended to reduce the costs and burdens associated with the epidemic of over-discovery went into effect.
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AMICUS BRIEFSAs amicus curiae, LCJ fights for procedural fairness and urges courts to achieve the "just, speedy, and inexpensive determination of every action or proceeding" outlined in Rule 1.
FIX RULE 30(B)(6)Rule 30(b)(6) has proven controversial and complicated since it was added to the FRCP in 1970. It requires organizations such as corporations to designate people to testify on their behalf about specific matters raised in litigation.
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"LCJ is a highly effective advocate for meaningful rule reform. Working closely with LCJ on its efforts to reduce the costs and burdens of civil discovery, I have seen firsthand how LCJ's thoughtful and high-quality advocacy is delivering real results for the corporate community and defense bar.”
- Jon Kyl
Senior Of Counsel, Covington & Burling LLP U.S. Senator from Arizona (1995-2013) Senate Minority Whip (2007-2013) |
lcj advocates for MDL REFORMS
The rule of law requires predictable and transparent rules, and the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure need to be updated to ensure that appropriate rules apply not only to individual cases but also to the nearly half of the federal civil caseload consolidated in MDLs.
-Andrea Looney
Executive Director
Lawyers for Civil Justice
Executive Director
Lawyers for Civil Justice