University of Denver

Final Report on the Joint Project of the American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL) Task Force on Discovery and the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System
This report includes a set of 29 proposed Principles that focus on four core areas: pleadings, discovery, experts and judicial management. It is the culmination of an 18-month collaboration between the Institute and ACTL Task Force on Discovery and provides recommendations that may one day underpin reform of the civil rules of procedure in both federal and state court systems.

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America's Ailing Civil Justice System: The Diagnosis and Treatment of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
This report provides a succinct history of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (FRCP) over the past 70 years, from their inception to today. It also showcases alternative approaches to the Rules and describes changes in the legal climate that have impacted the effectiveness of the FRCP.

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Civil Case Processing in the Federal District Courts: A 21st Century Analysis
Nearly 8,000 closed federal cases in eight districts were analyzed by IAALS to investigate case management practices of courts throughout the U.S. This report drills down on strengths and weaknesses in the management of civil justice system cases, providing judges, court staff and attorneys with unique insight and guidance to improve the efficiency of their courts.

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