Civil Procedure

This course examines the structure of the judicial system and the basic ground rules of civil litigation. Exploring the adversary model and the purposes of litigation, students scrutinize the basic principles underlying the jurisdiction of courts and are encouraged to question the role of courts and to critically assess the adequacy of rules of procedure, to provide a framework for the efficient and fair resolution of disputes. Particular focus is placed on the degree to which justice is dependent on a party's resources. Principles of common law and statutory pleading, discovery, motion practice, remedies, and appeals are taught with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, providing students the framework they are concurrently using in simulation and will subsequently use in live-client representation.