Case Management and Litigation Deadlines
Scheduling
The conference follows the parties' discovery planning conference and produces the scheduling order. The court addresses deadlines, discovery limits, ADR, and any issues the parties raise.
Federal courts must issue a scheduling order within a defined period after appearance or service.
Alternative Names:
CMC, Scheduling Conference, Initial Conference
Why it Matters?
The conference is the one point where deadlines can be shaped rather than accommodated, and parties frequently arrive without having thought through what the matter actually requires. Requesting phased discovery, expert sequencing that suits the case, or an extended fact discovery period is achievable here and difficult afterward, since modification requires good cause and demonstrated diligence.
Frequently Confused with
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
What is decided at the conference?
Why does preparation matter?
