Rule 1.4 Case Evaluation Criteria.
The court shall consider and apply the following factors in assigning civil actions to a particular track:
(1) Legal Issues: Few and clear.
(2) Required Discovery: Limited.
(3) Number of Real Parties in Interest: Few.
(4) Number of Fact Witnesses: Up to five.
(5) Expert Witnesses: Few, if any.
(6) Likely Trial Days: Three or fewer.
(7) Character and Nature of Damage Claims: Liquidated or routine.
(1) Legal Issues: More than a few, some unsettled.
(2) Required Discovery: Routine.
(3) Number of Real Parties in Interest: Up to five legal entities but which represent no more than three diverse interests.
(4) Number of Fact Witnesses: Up to ten.
(5) Expert Witnesses: Usually fewer than four.
(6) Likely Trial Days: Five or fewer.
(7) Character and Nature of Damage Claims: Routine.
(1) Legal Issues: Numerous, complicated and possibly unique.
(2) Required Discovery: Extensive.
(3) Number of Real Parties in Interest: More than five.
(4) Number of Fact Witnesses: More than ten.
(5) Expert Witnesses: More than three.
(6) Likely Trial Days: More than five.
(7) Character and Nature of Damage Claims: Usually requiring expert testimony.
(D) Administrative: Civil actions that, based on the court's prior experience, are likely to result in default or consent judgments or usually can be resolved on the pleadings or by motions. These include such actions as Social Security appeals, bankruptcy appeals, habeas corpus petitions, student loans, civil asset forfeiture actions, or other actions involving an administrative record.
(E) Mass Torts: Factors to be considered for this track shall be identified in accordance with the special management plan adopted by the court.
(F) Suspension: Civil actions stayed pending resolution of remand motions, immunity defense motions, bankruptcy proceedings or for other good cause found by the court.