Jurisdiction, Venue, and Forum
Court Structure
Certain districts maintain aggressive scheduling with short discovery periods and firm trial dates. The Eastern District of Virginia is the best known example, and several patent-heavy districts operate similarly.
Continuances are rarely granted.
Alternative Names:
Fast Track Docket|Expedited Docket
Why it Matters?
Compressed schedules disadvantage the party requiring more development, which is frequently the defendant in a case where the plaintiff prepared before filing. Assessing whether the schedule permits adequate expert development and discovery is necessary before opposing transfer out or consenting to a fast-track assignment. Firm trial dates also mean settlement leverage shifts as trial approaches without the drift typical elsewhere.
Frequently Confused with
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
Who does a compressed schedule disadvantage?
How does it affect settlement?
