Legal Definitions - MDL

Definition: MDL stands for multidistrict litigation. It is a legal process where multiple lawsuits that involve similar claims are consolidated and transferred to a single court for pretrial proceedings.

For example, if there are several lawsuits filed against a pharmaceutical company for a defective drug, and all the cases involve similar claims, they may be consolidated into an MDL. This allows for more efficient and consistent pretrial proceedings, such as discovery and motion practice, and can help avoid conflicting rulings from different courts.

Another example could be a series of lawsuits against a car manufacturer for faulty airbags. If the cases are consolidated into an MDL, it can save time and resources for both the plaintiffs and defendants, as they can work together to gather evidence and prepare for trial.

Overall, MDLs are a way to streamline the legal process and ensure that similar cases are handled in a consistent and fair manner.