Civil Procedure — Lecture Two: Discovery, Pretrial Motions, and Summary Judgment (Part 2 of 3)

This lecture provides an overview of key pretrial procedures in civil litigation, focusing on discovery, case management, and summary judgment. Discovery is explained as the formal process for exchanging information and evidence between parties to prevent trial surprises. The lecture details various discovery tools, such as depositions and interrogatories, and emphasizes the importance of proportionality and mandatory disclosures. Subsequently, it covers case management and pretrial conferences, highlighting how courts use scheduling orders and meetings to streamline litigation and narrow issues. Finally, the lecture examines summary judgment as a mechanism to resolve cases or specific issues without trial if no genuine factual disputes exist.