Legal Definitions - case-management order

A case-management order is a court order that controls the procedure in a case on the court's docket. It is designed to limit pretrial discovery, which is the process of gathering evidence before a trial. The abbreviation for case-management order is CMO.

Let's say there is a lawsuit between two parties, and the court issues a case-management order. The order may specify deadlines for each stage of the litigation process, such as when the parties must exchange evidence and when they must file motions. The order may also limit the amount of discovery that each party can conduct, to prevent the case from becoming too expensive or time-consuming.

Another example of a case-management order is in a criminal case. The court may issue an order that sets a schedule for pretrial motions, such as motions to suppress evidence or dismiss the case. The order may also require the prosecution to disclose any exculpatory evidence to the defense, which is evidence that could help the defendant's case.

These examples illustrate how a case-management order can help streamline the litigation process and ensure that each party has a fair opportunity to present their case.