(i) The number of parties;

(ii) The number and complexity of claims; (iii) The anticipated volume of proportional discovery; (iv) The amount in controversy; (v) The nature of the issues; (vi) The likely length of trial; and (vii) Any special circumstances. (C) Extended Timeline. Any case designated for complex adjudication need not be resolved within one hundred fifty (150) days of issuance of the scheduling order but shall be resolved as expeditiously as the nature of the case permits. The court may set a resolution deadline when designating a case for complex adjudication. (D) Resolution Methods. The court and parties shall make reasonable efforts to resolve cases designated for complex adjudication in a just, speedy, and cost-effective manner. Such efforts include, without limitation, participating in early, ongoing, and active case management; prioritizing the resolution of legal and factual issues that facilitate case disposition; resolving discovery disputes informally where possible; tailoring discovery to the needs of the case; and engaging in early and regular alternative dispute resolution efforts. (d) Pretrial Orders. After any conference under this rule, the chancery court shall issue an order reciting the action taken. This order controls the course of the action unless the chancery court modifies it. (e) Final Pretrial Conference and Orders. The chancery court may hold a final pretrial conference to formulate a trial plan, including a plan to facilitate the admission of evidence. The conference must be held as close to the start of trial as is reasonable, and must be attended by at least one attorney who will conduct the trial for each party and by any unrepresented party. The chancery court may modify the order issued after a final pretrial conference only to prevent manifest injustice. (f) Sanctions. (1) In General. On motion or on its own, the chancery court may issue any just orders, including those authorized by Rule 37(b)(2)(A)(ii)-(vii), if a party or its attorney: (A) fails to appear at a scheduling or other pretrial conference; (B) is substantially unprepared to participate--or does not participate in good faith--in the conference; or (C) fails to obey a scheduling or other pretrial order. (2) Imposing Fees and Costs. Instead of or in addition to any other sanction, the chancery court must order the party, its attorney, or both to pay the reasonable expenses — including attorney’s fees — incurred because of any noncompliance with this rule, unless the noncompliance was substan- tially justified or other circumstances make an award of expenses unjust. History: Adopted September 21, 2021, effective De- cember 1, 2021; amended February 15, 2022, effective May 1, 2022; amended April 9, 2024, effective July 1, 2024; amended January 27, 2026, effective March 30, 2026.