Legal Definitions - cause list

A cause list is a schedule or roster, typically published by a court, that details the cases (or "causes") that are slated to be heard on a specific day or during a particular period. It serves as a public notice, informing lawyers, parties involved, and the general public about the court's upcoming business. This list usually includes information such as the case number, the names of the parties, the type of hearing (e.g., trial, motion, status conference), and the assigned courtroom and time.

• Example 1: Imagine a busy municipal court where dozens of cases are heard daily. Each morning, a document is posted on a bulletin board outside each courtroom and also made available on the court's website. This document lists all the traffic violations, minor criminal offenses, and small claims disputes that Judge Rodriguez will preside over that day, noting the specific time each case is called and the courtroom number. For instance, it might show "9:00 AM - State v. Davies (Traffic Infraction)," followed by "9:15 AM - Peterson v. Miller (Small Claim)."

  Explanation 1: This daily schedule is a cause list because it itemizes the specific legal matters (causes) that Judge Rodriguez is scheduled to address on that particular day, providing essential details for those involved and the public.

• Example 2: A lawyer specializing in corporate litigation needs to track her firm's upcoming cases in the High Court. She regularly checks the court's official online portal, which publishes a weekly schedule. This schedule outlines all the complex commercial disputes, intellectual property cases, and contract disagreements that are set for hearings, trials, or preliminary conferences in the various High Court chambers for the entire upcoming week, specifying the judge assigned to each and the expected duration.

  Explanation 2: This weekly compilation of corporate litigation cases functions as a cause list, providing an organized overview of the court's upcoming workload and allowing legal professionals and parties to prepare for their scheduled appearances.

• Example 3: In a large courthouse with multiple floors and courtrooms, there is a prominent digital display in the main lobby. This screen continuously updates, showing which cases are currently being heard in each courtroom and which cases are next on the agenda. For example, it might display "Courtroom 4A: In Re Estate of Johnson (Probate Hearing in Progress)" and "Courtroom 4B: Commonwealth v. Chen (Sentencing Hearing at 2:30 PM)."

  Explanation 3: This real-time digital display acts as a dynamic cause list, providing immediate and accessible information to visitors, lawyers, and parties about the cases scheduled for hearing across different courtrooms at that moment or in the immediate future.