Pretrial Conferences; Scheduling; Management

16.01 Pretrial Conferences; Objectives In any action, the court may in its discretion direct the attorneys for the parties and any self- represented litigants to appear before it for a conference or conferences before trial for such purposes as: (a) expediting the disposition of the action; (b) establishing early and continuing control so that the case will not be protracted because of lack of management; (c) discouraging wasteful pretrial activities; (d) improving the quality of the trial through more thorough preparation; and (e) facilitating the settlement of the case. (Amended effective July 1, 2015.) 16.02 Scheduling and Planning The court may, and upon written request of any party with notice to all parties, shall, after consulting with the attorneys for the parties and any unrepresented parties, by a scheduling conference, telephone, mail, or other suitable means, enter a scheduling order that limits the time (a) to join other parties and to amend the pleadings; (b) to file and hear motions; and (c) to complete discovery. The scheduling order also may include (d) provisions for disclosure or discovery of electronically stored information; (e) any agreements the parties reach for asserting claims of privilege or of protection as trial-preparation materials after production; (f) the date or dates for conferences before trial, a final pretrial conference, and trial; and (g) any other matters appropriate in the circumstances of the case. A schedule shall not be modified except by leave of court upon a showing of good cause. (Amended effective May 21, 2007.) Published by the Revisor of Statutes under Minnesota Statutes, section 3C.08, subdivision 1. CIVIL PROCEDURE 48 MINNESOTA COURT RULES Advisory Committee Comment - 2007 Amendment