(a)     In those cases which require the adoption of specific case management techniques beyond those set forth in the pre-trial schedule adopted pursuant to LR 16.2, a Judge or Magistrate Judge may schedule a Case Management Conference.

 

(b)     A Case Management Conference may be requested at any time by any party, or by the stipulation of all of the parties, or it may be scheduled upon the Court's own initiative.  However the request is initiated, a Case Management Conference will be held only if, in the judgment of the Judge or Magistrate Judge, the complexity of the case or other factors warrant it. 

 

(c)     In advance of a Case Management Conference, the Judge or Magistrate Judge may require the parties to prepare a plan to efficiently manage the costs of litigation.  Case management techniques may include but are not  limited to:

           

(1)   Imposing limitations on the number, length and/or scope of depositions;

 

(2)   Minimizing travel expenses and the expenditure of attorney time through the use of telephonic and video conferencing devices for recording deposition testimony;

 

(3)   The use of a document depository for the common storage and retrieval of documents through imaging and data processing techniques;

 

(4)   The use of multiple-track discovery to expedite complex matters where appropriate;

 

(5)   Minimizing discovery costs by stipulating to facts;

              

(6)   The imposition and enforcement of discovery deadlines that promote adequate but prompt case preparation;

 

(7)   The imposition of such other requirements or restrictions as may be deemed appropriate to secure the just, speedy and inexpensive determination of the action.

 

(d)     At the conclusion of the Case Management Conference, the Court may adopt a Case Management Order.  

 

[Adopted effective November 1, 1996] 

1996 Advisory Committee’s Note to LR 16.4

 
LR 16.4 attempts to provide judicial officers with the flexibility needed to manage large complex cases which can consume a disproportionate amount of judicial resources.  The Rule encourages the parties and the Court to adopt creative case management techniques.  The techniques suggested by the Rule are those expressly mentioned in the CJRA Plan, but are illustrative only.  The Rule does not intend by the enumeration of certain techniques to in any way discourage or disparage the use of other cost containment techniques.  The Rule enables any party to request a Case Management Conference.  Whether to convene such a conference, however, is left to the discretion of the judicial officers.