Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures

577 Pages·2018·243.151 MB·English

by  Thomas Goldman, Alice Hughes

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Fourth Edition
Thomas F. Goldman, JD Alice Hart Hughes, JD
Attorney at Law Attorney at Law
Professor Emeritus Adjunct Professor
Bucks County Community College Bucks County Community College
e a r s o n
Hudson Street, NY, NY
330 10013
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
I
Names: Goldn1an, Thomas F., author. Hughes, Alice Hart, author.
Title: Civil litigation: process and procedures I Thomas F. Goldman, JD,
Attorney at Law, Professor Emeritus, BL1cks CoL1nty Community College;
Alice Hart Hughes, JD, Attorney at Law, Adjunct Professor, Bucks County Con1munity College.
I I
Description: Fourth edition. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson, [2019] Includes index.
I I
Identifiers: LCCN 2017037332 ISBN 9780134831046 ISBN 0134831047
I
Subjects: LCSH: Civil procedure-United States. Legal assistants-United States
H andbooks, manuals, etc.
I
Classification: LCC KF8841 .065 2019 DDC 347.73/5-dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/
2017037332
1 17
Pearson
ISBN 10: 0, 13,483104,7
ISBN 13: 978,0, 13,483104,6
O CJY.ll_LII GAii O
I
CHAPTER 1 The Paralegal in Civi Litigation 3
CHAPTER 1A Appendix Building Your Professional Portfolio and
Reference Manual 18
CHAPTER 2 Ethics and Professional Responsibi I ity 2 7
CHAPTER 3 Litigation Management and Technology 47
CHAPTER 4 The Court System, Settlement, and Alternative Dispute
Resolution 81
CHAPTER 5 Causes of Actions and Litigation Strategies 121
CHAPTER 6 Evidence 143
CHAPTER 7 Interviews and Investigation in Civil Litigation 167
UNIT Il:IRE DOCUM~.JS CJ~LUIIGAILO~
CHAPTER 8 Pleadings: Complaint, Summons, and Service 203
CHAPTER 9 Motions Practice 237
CHAPTER 10 Pleadings: Responses to Complaint 265
•••
Ill
iv
BRIEF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 11 Introduction to Discovery 281
CHAPTER 12 Issues in Electronic Discovery 301
CHAPTER 13 Interrogatories and Requests for Production 335
CHAPTER 14 Depositions 3 61
CHAPTER 15 Other Forms of Discovery 381
UNIJ_.EIVE 1.ALOUtiE CAS_E
CHAPTER 16 Trial Preparation Postdiscovery to Pretrial 395
CHAPTER 17 Trial 421
CHAPTER 18 The Electronic Courtroom and Trial Presentation 443
SII
CHAPTER 19 Posttrial Procedures 461
CHAPTER 20 Enforcement of Judgments 485
APPENDIX 1 Chapter Opening Case Study 502
APPENDIX 2 Comprehensive Case Study: School Bus-Truck Accident Case
Study 504
APPENDIX 3 Supplemental Case Studies 507
Glossary 525
Case Index 542
Subject Index 543
UNIT ONE
CHAPTER 1 APPENDIX
INTRODUCTION TO CIVIL
Bui Id ing Your Professional Portfolio and
LITIGATION
Reference Manual 18
Opening Scenario 18
Portfolio Exercises: Legal Team at Work 1 8
CHAPTER 1
Referen ce Manual: Civil Litigation Team
The Paralegal in Civi I
at Work 19
Litigation 3
Law O ffice Reference Manilal 19
Learning O bjectives 2
Creating the Reference Manual 20
Introduction to Civil Litigation 4
Examples of a Policy, Form, Procedure, and Contact
The Ro le of the Paralegal in Civi I Liti gation 4 Record 21
Policy 21
Managing Client Relationships 4
Members of the Legal T eam 5 Forms 22
Corporate Paralegals in Litigation 6 Procedures 24
Litigation Support Manager 6 Contacts and Resources 25
I
Ski ls of the Paralegal 7
Soft Skills 7
Resourcefulness 8
CHAPTER 2
Commitment 8
Analytical Skills 8 Ethics and Professional
Interpersonal Skills 9
Responsibility 27
Creating an Impression 9
Learning O bjectives 26
Communication Skills 10
Introduction to Ethics and Professional
Professional ism 11
Responsibility 28
Tasks of the Civi I Liti gation Paralegal 1 1
Regulation of the Practice of Law 29
Interviewing Clients and Witnesses 11
The Paralegal and Licensing 29
Investigating Facts 11
Penalties for the Unauthorized Practice
Conducting Discovery 12
of Law 31
Drafting Pleadings and O ther Documents 12 Avoiding UPL: Holding O neself O ut 32
Assisting at Trial 13
Avoiding UPL: Giving Advice 33
Administrative Tasks 13
Avoiding UPL: Filling O ut Forms 33
Organizing and Managing Case Files 14
Avoiding UPL: Representing Clients 34
Productivity and Cost.-Effectiveness 14
Avoiding UPL: Guidelines 35
Key Terms 15
Ethi ca l Obligations 36
Chapter Summary 15 Duty to Supervise 36
Review Questions and Exercises 16
Ethical Guidelines and Rules 37
Internet and Technology Exercises 16 Conflict of Interest 37
Chapter Opening Scenario Case Study 1 6 Ethical Wall 38
Building Your Profess ional Portfolio and Reference Freelance or Independent Paralegal 39
Manual 17
Virtual Law Office Experience 17
v
vi
CONTENTS
Confidentiality 3 9 UNIT TWO
Candor and Fairness in L itigation 39
PLANNING THE LITIGATION
Fairness to O pposing Party and C ounsel 40
D uty to Report Unethical Conduct 41
I
Key Terms 42 CHAPTER 4
Chapter Summary 42
The Court System, Settlement,
Review Questions and Exercises 43
and Alternative Dispute
Internet and Technology Exerci ses 44
Resolution 81
Civil Litigation Video Case Studies 44
L earning O bjectives 80
Chapter Opening Scenario Case Study 44
Introduction to the Court System, Settlement, and
Building Your Professional Portfolio and Reference
Alternative Dispute Resolution 82
Manual 44
Sources of American Law 82
Virtual Law Office Experience 45
C onstitutions 82
Statutes 83
CHAPTER 3
Administrative Regulations and Adjudications 83
Litigation Management and
Case Law 83
Technology 47
Cause of Action and Remedies 84
L earning O bjectives 46 Jurisdiction 86
Introduction to Litigation Management and Standing 86
Technology 48 Case or C ontroversy 86
I
Technology in Civi Litigation 48
Authority of the C ourt 86
O nline D ata Storage and Collaboration 49
Venue 89
Electronic Database Basics 50
Removal and Remand 89
D ata Repositories 5 0 89
Organization of the Court System
Navigating Electronic D atabases 52
T rial Courts 91
D atabase Example 54
Intermediate Appellate Courts 91
D atabase Issues in L itigation 56
H ighest Appellate C ourt or the Supreme C ourt 92
Searches Constructing the Q uery 56
Settlements 93
T he Reality of U sing D atabases 56 When to Settle 94
Organizing and Managing Case Files 58
Negotiation of a Settlement 9 5
Case and Practice Management Software 60
Settlement Documents 95
U sing Case Management Systems 65
Settlement L etters 9 5
Office Management Software 70
Settlement Brochures 95
O ffice Management Program Functions 71
Ethical Considerations 98
Calendar Maintenance Programs 72
Documents for Settling and Terminating
Calendar Program O verview 73 a Lawsuit 99
T ime--Keeping Software 74 Minors' Settlements 100
Settlement Documents 100
Key Terms 75
C onfidentiality and Settlements 103
Chapter Summary 75
Review Questions and Exercises 77 T ermination of Lawsuits 105
Internet and Technology Exercises 77 Alternative Dispute Resolution 106
T ypes of A DR 107
Civil Litigation Video Case Studies 78
Private A DR 107
Chapter Opening Scenario Case Study 78
Building Your Professional Portfolio and Reference Key Terms 113
Manual 79
Chapter Summary 113
Virtual Law Office Experience 79
Review Questions and Exercises 115
vii
CONTENTS
Internet and Technology Exercises 116 Probative Value 147
Chapter Opening Scenario Case Study 11 7 Judicial Notice 147
Comprehensive Case Study 11 7 Inadmissible Evidence 147
Building Your Professional Portfolio and Reference Types of Tangible Evidence 148
Manual 117
Tangible Evidence 149
Virtual Law Office Experience 118
Docitmentary Evidence 149
Demonstrative Evidence 150
Physical Evidence 150
CHAPTERS
Testimony of Witnesses 151
Causes of Actions and
Giving Testimony 151
Litigation Strategies 121
Form of Questions 15 2
Learning Objectives 120
Lay Witnesses 152
Introduction to Causes of Actions and Litigation
Expert Witnesses 153
Strategies 122
Prerecorded Testimony 154
Litigation Strategy and Options 122
Challenging the Credibility of Witnesses 154
Torts 125
The Hearsay Rule 156
Defe ns es to Tort Actions 12 7
Statements That Are Not Hearsay 156
Products Liability and Strict Liability 128
Exceptions to the Hearsay Rule 157
Contracts 12 9
Residual Exception 160
Elements of Common Law Contracts 129
Raising Objections 160
Defense to Contracts 130
Key Terms 161
The Uniform Commercial Code 131
Chapter Summary 161
Damages 134
Review Questions and Exercises 1 63
Monetary Damages 134
Internet and Technology Exercises 163
Equitable Remedies 134
I
Civi Litigation Video Case Studies 1 64
Calculating Damages 135
Chapter Opening Scenario Case Study 164
Key Terms 137
Comprehensive Case Study 1 64
Chapter Summary 138
Building Your Professional Portfolio 164
Review Questions and Exercises 140
Virtual Law Office Experience 165
Internet and Technology Exercises 140
Chapter Opening Scenario Case Study 141
CHAPTER 7
Building Your Professional Portfolio and Reference
Manual 141 Interviews and Investigation
Virtual Law Office Experience 141
in Civil Litigation 167
Learning Objectives 166
CHAPTER 6
Introduction to Interviews and Investigations 168
Evidence 143
Initial Contacts 168
The Screening Interview 168
Learning Objectives 142
Letters of Engagement and Termination of
Introduction to Evidence 144
Engagement 169
Evidence 144
Preparing for the Interview 172
Fact 144
Investigation Checklists 172
Introduction to the Rules of Evidence 145
Physical Surroundings 175
Admissibility of Evidence Relevant, Reliable, and
Dress and Appearance 176
Real 145
Communication Skills in a Multicultural
Relevant Evidence 145
Society 176
Reliable Evidence 146
Gender Differe nc es 177
Real Evidence 146
viii
CONTENTS
Conducting the Interview 1 79 Deadlines and Time Constraints 229
Listening Skills 180 Calctllating Deadlines 229
Leading Questions 181 Amendment or Supplement to the Complaint 230
Open~En.ded Qilestions 181 Key Terms 230
Privileged Conimunication 182 Chapter Summary 230
Moral versus Ethical Obligations 182 Review Questions and Exercises 232
Expert Witnesses 1 83 Internet and Technology Exercises 232
Investigating Claims 184 Civil Litigation Video Case Studies 233
A Defense Perspective 186 Chapter Opening Scenario Case Study 233
Obtaining Official Reports 186 Comprehensive Case Study 233
Fact Analysis 186 Building Your Professional Portfolio and Reference
M anual 234
Locations 188
T angible Evidence 189 Virtual Law Office Experience 234
T imelines 189
•
Freedom of Information Act 190
CHAPTER 9
Locating Witnesses 192
Motions Practice 237
Directories 193
Learning Objectives 236
Common Sense Analysis 194
Introduction to Motions 238
Key Terms 196
Form of Motions 238
Chapter Summary 196
Motions in the Pleading Phase 238
Review Questions and Exercises 197
Motion to Enlarge T ime to Respon.d 239
Internet and Technology Exercises 197
Motion for Defa ult ]tldgment 241
Civil Litigation Video Case Studies 198
Entry of Default on the Docket 242
Chapter Opening Scenario Case Study 198
Entry of Defa ttlt ]u.dgment 242
Comprehensive Case Study 1 98
Setting Aside Default 245
Building Your Professional Portfolio and Reference
Rule 12(b) Motions 246
Manual 199
Motion for ]itdgment on the Pleadings 248
Virtual Law Office Experience 199
Discovery Motions 250
Motion to Compel 250
UNIT THREE
Motion for Sanctions 250
DOCUMENTS IN CIVIL LITIGATION
Motion for Protective Order 252
Pretrial Motions 252
Motion for Summary Judgment 253
CHAPTERS
Motion in Liniine or Pretrial Motion 255
Pleadings: Comp laint,
Posttrial Motions 256
Su mmons, and Service 203
Motion for ]ildgment as a Matter of Laq,v 256
Motion to Mold the Verdict 257
Learning Objectives 202
Motion for a New Trial 259
Introduction to Pleadings 204
Key Terms 259
Rules of Court 204
Chapter Summary 259
Statute of Limitations 205
Review Questions and Exercises 261
Pleadings 207
Internet and Technology Exercises 261
Preparing the Summons 210
Civil Litigation Video Case Studies 261
Civil Cover Sheet 212
Chapter Opening Scenario Case Study 262
Drafting the Complaint 213
Comprehensive Case Study 262
Filing and Serving the Complaint 223
Building Your Professional Portfolio and Reference
Filing Fees 223
M anual 262
Electronic Filing 224
Virtual Law Office Experience 262
Service of Process 224
ix
CONTENTS
Rules of Court and Rules of Evidence 283
CHAPTER 10
Scope of Discovery 284
Pleadings: Responses to
Privilege 284
Complaint 265
Claim of Privilege 285
Learning Objectives 264
Exceptions and Limitations to the Work Product
Doctrine 287
Introduction to Respon ses to Complaint 266
Exception to the Third;Party Document
Responsive Pleadings 266
Exception 287
Pleadings Allowed by Federal Rules of Civil
Internal Investigations and Evidentiary
Procedure 266
Privileges 288
Time Deadlines and Entry into Tickler System 267
Forms of Discovery 288
Responses to the Complaint 267
Depositions 288
Answer to the Complaint 269
Interrogatories 288
Caption 269
Production of Documents or Things 291
Numbered Paragraphs 269
Physical and Mental Examinations 291
Prayer for Relief 270
Requests for Admission 291
Affirmative Defenses 270
Sequence of Discovery 292
Causes of Action 2 71
Discovery Timing 292
Prayer for Relief 272
Rule 26(a) Disclosure Requirements 293
Third-Party Practice 275
Information Subject to Mandatory Disclosure 293
Third;Party Complaint 275
Experts and Witnesses 294
Third;Party Answer 276
Compliance and Court Intervention 294
Failure to Respond to Complaint 276
Seeking Compliance as the Issuer of Discovery
Key Terms 276
Requests 294
Chapter Summary 277
Seeking Compliance as the Recipient of Discovery
Review Questions and Exercises 2 78
Requests 2 95
Internet and Technology Exercises 278
Key Terms 296
Civi I Litigation Video Case Studies 2 78
Chapter Summary 296
Chapter Opening Scenario Case Study 278
Review Questions and Exercises 297
Comprehensive Case Study 2 79
Internet and Technology Exercises 297
Building Your Professional Portfolio and Reference
Civi I Litigation Video Case Studies 2 97
Manual 279
Chapter Opening Scenario Case Study 298
V irtual Law Office Experience 2 79
Comprehensive Case Study 298
Bui lding Your Professional Portfolio and Reference
UNIT FOUR
Manual 298
FORMAL DISCOVERY METHODS
Virtual Law Office Experience 298
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 11
Issues in Electronic
Introduction to
Discovery 301
Discovery 281
Learning Objectives 300
Learning Objectives 280
Introduction to Electronic
Introduction to Discovery 282
Discovery 302
Purposes of Discovery 282
Discovery in the Technological Age 302
Evaluating Your Client's Case 282
E;Discovery under the Federal Rules of Civil
Evaluating Your Opponent's Case 282
Procedure 303
Preparing for Trial 282
Clianges in Traditional Discovery 304
Preserving Oral Testimony 282
Ethical Issues in Document Delivery 305
Impeaching Witness Testimony 283
Preserving Electronic Materials 305
Facilitating Settlement 283