Effective September 1, 2023, the 19th JDC will have a Complex Litigation Section Pilot program that will focus on the timely and cost effective resolution of complicated civil litigation at the court. Complex Litigation can occur in several different shapes and sizes - it may be a single claim shared by multiple claimants; or it may be one incident that created similar causes of action among claimants; or it may be a few claimants with multiple defendants on several theories of liability..to name a few of the possible scenarios.
The first phase of the Pilot requests each of the Civil Judges to review their current dockets to determine if any matters may be “complex”. If so, there is a process for evaluation that is established within the En Banc Order (here). In January 2024, there will be 3 different methods for referring matters to the Complex Litigation Section. All parties must agree to the transfer prior to this occurring.
As with any pilot program, it is realistic that modification will be made as the program progresses. Only time will tell what elements work and what elements need adjustment.