§472 Development and Implementation of a Civil Justice Expense and Delay Reduction Plan

Summary

District courts must create or pick a plan to cut costs and delays in civil cases after getting advice from a specially appointed advisory group. The advisory group must make a public report that says why the court needs a plan or a model plan, gives suggested rules and programs, explains how the suggestions meet required standards, and assesses the court’s caseloads. The group must look closely at civil and criminal dockets, spot filing trends and resource needs, find the main causes of cost and delay (including court procedures and how lawyers handle cases), and see how new laws could affect costs and delays. The group must consider the court’s and parties’ needs and recommend steps for the court, the parties, and their lawyers to reduce cost and delay. The chief judge must send the plan and report to the Director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, the circuit’s judicial council, and the other district chief judges in the circuit.