pearlgal said:
hi, paz and all:
on my "order setting intial case management conference and adr deadlines" issued by court, there's following:
2/9/2007 Last day to complete intitial disclosures or state objection in rule 26(f) report, file case management statement, AND file rule 26(f) report.
i only heard on the forum, that case management statement is needed, none mentioned 26(f)? can anyone offer a hand, i did download some example from pacer on inital joint case management statement, but never find any rule 26(f) report. do i need to file one?
cannot get a hold on my AUSA, just want to have something handy in case i need to file in this Friday.
thanks,
pearl
Here is rule 26(f) from the FRCP:
"(f) Conference of Parties; Planning for Discovery.
Except in categories of proceedings exempted from initial disclosure under Rule 26(a)(1)(E) or when otherwise ordered, the parties must, as soon as practicable and in any event at least 21 days before a scheduling conference is held or a scheduling order is due under Rule 16(b), confer to consider the nature and basis of their claims and defenses and the possibilities for a prompt settlement or resolution of the case, to make or arrange for the disclosures required by Rule 26(a)(1), to discuss any issues relating to preserving discoverable information, and to develop a proposed discovery plan that indicates the parties' views and proposals concerning:
(1) what changes should be made in the timing, form, or requirement for disclosures under Rule 26(a), including a statement as to when disclosures under Rule 26(a)(1) were made or will be made;
(2) the subjects on which discovery may be needed, when discovery should be completed, and whether discovery should be conducted in phases or be limited to or focused upon particular issues;
(3) any issues relating to disclosure or discovery of electronically stored information, including the form or forms in which it should be produced;
(4) any issues relating to claims of privilege or of protection as trial-preparation material, including - if the parties agree on a procedure to assert such claims after production - whether to ask the court to include their agreement in an order;
(5) what changes should be made in the limitations on discovery imposed under these rules or by local rule, and what other limitations should be imposed; and
(6) any other orders that should be entered by the court under Rule 26(c) or under Rule 16(b) and (c).
The attorneys of record and all unrepresented parties that have appeared in the case are jointly responsible for arranging the conference, for attempting in good faith to agree on the proposed discovery plan, and for submitting to the court within 14 days after the conference a written report outlining the plan. A court may order that the parties or attorneys attend the conference in person. If necessary to comply with its expedited schedule for Rule 16(b) conferences, a court may by local rule (i) require that the conference between the parties occur fewer than 21 days before the scheduling conference is held or a scheduling order is due under Rule 16(b), and (ii) require that the written report outlining the discovery plan be filed fewer than 14 days after the conference between the parties, or excuse the parties from submitting a written report and permit them to report orally on their discovery plan at the Rule 16(b) conference."
I didn't have to go through this so I don't know much about this whole process. But as I remember reading on this forum, this is something, where the parties (try) to agree what sould be produced in the discovery phase, dates, etc. Because these lawsuits are typically not disputing factual allegations, it is always a question of interpreting the law (e.g., "examination" equals or not "interview", or how long is unreasonably long delay, or does USCIS have a clear non-discretionary duty to adjudicate your application within a reasonable amount of time), in my opinion this rule 26(f) report and all this ADR has less importance than in other type of cases, where the discovery can produce substantial difference. Nevertheless, because it is ordered by the court, you should comply. But you can't do this alone; it is clearly stated that "the parties...must confer..." so this should be done together with AUSA. (s)he probably knows better what should be the format of this.