ยง Rule 212.1 Civil Actions to be Tried by Jury Notice of Earliest Trial Date Time for Completing Discovery and Filing Pre-Trial Statement

Rule 212.1. Civil Actions to be Tried by Jury. Notice of Earliest Trial Date. Time for Completing Discovery and Filing Pre-Trial Statement

    (a) In a civil action in which the damages sought exceed the jurisdictional limit for compulsory arbitration and which is to be tried by a jury, notice shall be given by the court of the earliest date on which the case may be tried. The notice should be given at least thirty days before the plaintiff's pre-trial statement is due to be filed. The notice may include a date by which discovery shall be completed.

    Note: It is not intended by this rule to change the form and manner of notice of trial.

    (b) A pre-trial statement shall be filed

        (1) by the plaintiff not later than sixty days prior to the earliest trial date,

        (2) by the defendant not later than thirty days prior to the earliest trial date, and

        (3) by an additional defendant not later than fifteen days prior to the earliest trial date.

    Note: A copy of the pre-trial statement must be served upon every other party to the action. See Rule 440(a).

    (c)(1) The times set forth in subdivision (b) may be made earlier by published local rule or by special order or as set forth in a trial list published in the county law journal or otherwise made available to the parties.

        (2) The times set forth in subdivision (b) may be made later by published local rule or by special order in a particular case.

    Note: In a county which requires that discovery be complete and expert reports be exchanged prior to listing a case for trial, the court by local rule may provide for the simultaneous filing of pre-trial statements.

    The court by local rule may extend Rules 212.1 and 212.2 to apply to actions to be tried non-jury as well as by jury and to other forms of action in addition to civil actions.