The Pretrial Statement shall provide, by separate paragraph, the following:
1. Appearance of Counsel. List the parties, their respective counsel
and the address, telephone numbers, email address and fax numbers of counsel in separate sub-paragraphs.
2. Statement of the Case. Give a brief statement of the case for the
information of the Court. This is not an opportunity for advocacy. This paragraph simply states the causes of action and defenses
of the parties.
3. Motions. State
if there are any pending motions, the proponent party and how long they have been on file.
4. Contentions of the Parties. State concisely in separate sub-paragraphs
what each party claims. In general, these contentions should be similar to those found in a written Response to Request for
Disclosure.
5. Admissions of Fact.
List all relevant facts that have been stipulated and admitted and require no additional proof.
6. Contested Issues of Fact. List all relevant factual issues in controversy
that are necessary to the final disposition of this matter.
7. Agreed Applicable Propositions of Law. Set out by sub-paragraph the legal positions of the respective parties
that are not in dispute.
8. Contested
Issues of Law. State briefly the issues of law in dispute, with a memorandum of authorities supporting each issue.
9. Exhibits.
a. Counsel will attach to the Pretrial Statement a list of all exhibits to be offered and will certify that
as of the date of the Status Conference all such exhibits have been made available for examination by opposing counsel. This
rule does not apply to rebuttal exhibits, or those which cannot be reasonably anticipated.
b. Any counsel requiring authentication of an opponent’s exhibit must notify opposing counsel of that requirement
at least 10-days prior to the Status Conference, or within 5-days following receipt of the document, whichever is later. Failure
to do so may result in an admission of authenticity.
c. To the extent that discovery
has been completed, objections to admissibility of exhibits must be filed and presented for discussion at the Status Conference.
Counsel will be prepared to argue the issue and provide supporting legal authorities.
d.
Counsel may by agreement present a Joint Exhibit List. In the absence of agreement, the offering party will mark exhibits
with appropriate stickers in the lower right-hand corner of the document, or on the lower right-hand back of the document.
e. For information, all exhibits will be offered and received in evidence as the first item
of business at trial. At trial counsel will provide copies of an Exhibit List in check-off form for the Court, the Reporter
and all opposing counsel.
10. Witnesses. List the names and addresses
of witnesses who will or may be called at trial, together with a brief statement of the subject matter and substance of the
expected testimony. This should be similar to that provided in a written Response to Request for Disclosure. The Rules of
Civil Procedure shall control the calling of witnesses not otherwise disclosed through either the Joint Pretrial Order or
written discovery.
11. Trial Requirements.
Provide an estimate of the time needed for voir dire, for opening argument and the probable length of trial. Please note that
counsel’s estimate will not necessarily be followed by the Court. If witness availability is expected to be an issue,
provide a brief statement of the nature of the problem.
12. At the Status Conference the Court may provide additional requirements depending on the nature of the case and
the sufficiency of the Joint Pretrial Order.