Legal Definitions - special trial setting

A special trial setting refers to a court's decision to schedule a trial outside of its usual chronological order or standard scheduling procedures. This typically occurs when there are compelling reasons that require a case to be heard more quickly, at a specific time, or with particular resources that differ from the court's routine calendar. These reasons might include the urgency of the matter, the health of a key participant, or specific legal requirements.

• Example 1: Urgency Due to Health

  A plaintiff in a medical malpractice lawsuit is diagnosed with a rapidly progressing terminal illness. Their legal team files a motion requesting a special trial setting to ensure the case can be heard and resolved while the plaintiff is still able to participate and provide testimony, rather than waiting for the standard several-year queue.

  Explanation: This illustrates a special trial setting because the court deviates from its normal scheduling to accommodate the urgent health needs of a party, prioritizing this case over others that were filed earlier.

• Example 2: Complex, High-Profile Case

  A highly complex environmental lawsuit involving multiple corporate defendants and extensive scientific evidence is projected to last for several months. The court grants a special trial setting to allocate a specific courtroom and a dedicated judge for the entire duration, ensuring the necessary resources are available without disrupting the court's regular docket for shorter cases.

  Explanation: This demonstrates a special trial setting because the court makes a unique arrangement for a lengthy and resource-intensive trial, rather than trying to fit it into the standard rotation of courtrooms and judges, which would be impractical.

• Example 3: Statutory Requirement for Expedited Resolution

  In a state where certain types of child custody disputes, particularly those involving allegations of immediate danger, must be resolved quickly by law, a parent files an emergency petition. The court immediately grants a special trial setting to hear the case within days, bypassing the typical waiting period for civil litigation due to the statutory mandate for expedited resolution.

  Explanation: This shows a special trial setting because the court prioritizes the case due to a legal requirement for swift resolution, recognizing the critical nature of the matter, and thus deviates from its standard trial calendar.