Legal Definitions - rocket docket

Definition: Rocket docket refers to an accelerated process for resolving disputes. It can be a court or judicial district known for its speedy disposition of cases, or an administrative process where disputes must be decided within a specified time, such as 60 days.

1. In some courts, cases are resolved quickly through a rocket docket process. For instance, the Eastern District of Virginia is known for its rocket docket, where cases are resolved within 15 months on average, compared to the national average of 36 months.

2. Some administrative agencies also use a rocket docket process to resolve disputes. For example, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) has a fast-track program called the Rocket Docket Pilot Program, which aims to resolve patent disputes within 6 months.

These examples illustrate how rocket docket can be used in different contexts to speed up the resolution of disputes. By setting strict timelines and procedures, rocket docket processes aim to reduce the time and cost of litigation, while ensuring fairness and efficiency.