Any business-related lawsuit has the potential to become a very challenging legal matter. Occasionally, companies responding to a lawsuit or initiating litigation in California must request let the courts treat their cases as complex litigation. Complex cases require careful judicial oversight, as the case has a higher-than-average likelihood of creating challenges for the courts or the parties involved in the case. Complex litigation can take longer to resolve in many scenarios.
Ideally, early identification of a complex case can help expedite court proceedings while minimizing costs. Current statutes in California do include guidelines for helping establish whether or not a lawsuit is a case of complex litigation. How can a business determine if a specific lawsuit meets the criteria to receive treatment as a complex case?
Complex cases have many challenging components
One of the five basic criteria for a complex case is a scenario in which litigants anticipate post-judgment judicial supervision, meaning there could be a close review of the court’s ruling. However, often what makes a court case complex is what occurs at the beginning of the process. There might be numerous special pretrial motions or unusual legal concerns that the courts may need to review carefully.
There could be an unusually large collection of evidence, ranging from years of financial records to dozens of witness statements. There could also be a variety of litigants involved in the case, all of whom may have unique needs. The final standard that could lead to the designation of a lawsuit as a complex court case is when there are multiple different legal proceedings in different jurisdictions that may have an influence on the court case.
When a business lawsuit involves numerous plaintiffs or copious amounts of evidence, the case may meet the standard for complex litigation according to California statutes. Complex cases require special review by judges and more thorough preparation from the parties involved in the lawsuit. They may also depend on a judge’s perspective and on an understanding of specific court precedent.
Businesses embroiled in disputes that have the potential to become complex litigation cases may require more assistance as they prepare for litigation. Understanding the standards that separate a traditional business lawsuit complex litigation case could benefit organizations that are navigating conflicts with vendors, employees or consumers.