The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, which have been adopted by most states in one form or another.
Rule 16 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure provides in part as follows:
(a) Purposes of a Pretrial Conference. In any action, the court may order the attorneys and any unrepresented parties to appear for one or more pretrial conferences for such purposes as:
(1) expediting disposition of the action;
(2) establishing early and continuing control so that the case will not be protracted because of lack of management;
(3) discouraging wasteful pretrial activities;
(4) improving the quality of the trial through more thorough preparation, and;
(5) facilitating settlement.
Puerto Rico General Form of Pretrial Order is a legal document used in the judicial system of Puerto Rico to facilitate the proceedings of a pretrial phase in civil cases. This comprehensive form outlines the various aspects and procedural requirements that need to be addressed before the actual trial takes place. The Puerto Rico General Form of Pretrial Order ensures that all parties involved in a case have a clear understanding of the upcoming legal process. It is typically prepared by the presiding judge and serves as a roadmap for the attorneys and litigants involved. This order helps streamline the litigation process, promotes efficiency, and ensures that all necessary information is provided and disclosed before the trial begins. The Puerto Rico General Form of Pretrial Order covers a wide range of areas including: 1. Case identification: This section includes the case title, docket number, and presiding judge's information. 2. Stipulations: Parties may have reached agreements or stipulations on certain issues or facts before the trial. These are recorded in this section. 3. Disputed issues: All disputed issues that need to be resolved during the trial are outlined here. This helps the judge in determining what evidence, witnesses, or legal arguments will be relevant during the trial. 4. Witness lists: Both plaintiffs and defendants are required to provide a list of witnesses they intend to call during the trial. This section includes the names, contact information, and a brief description of the expected testimony of each witness. 5. Document and exhibit lists: Parties must disclose all relevant documents and exhibits that they plan to present during the trial. This includes medical reports, contracts, photographs, or any other evidence supporting their case. 6. Expert witnesses: If either party intends to present expert witnesses, this section requires detailed information about the witness's qualifications, area of expertise, and the opinions they will provide. 7. Proposed jury instructions and verdict form: If the trial will be decided by a jury, this section will include the proposed instructions and a form for the jury's verdict. It's important to note that there might be different variations or specific local requirements for the Puerto Rico General Form of Pretrial Order, depending on the particular court district, judge, or type of case. However, the main purpose remains consistent — to ensure all relevant information and necessary steps are outlined before the trial begins, promoting an organized, fair, and effective judicial process.
