Witness testimony is intended to help establish the facts of a case, but not every opinion offered by a witness is admissible. During civil litigation, courts distinguish between testimony that describes what a witness personally observed and testimony that attempts…

Witness testimony often plays a central role in civil litigation, but not every witness is viewed as equally credible. During trial, attorneys may challenge the reliability or consistency of a witness’s testimony through a process known as impeachment. Impeachment does…

Jurors play an essential role in many civil trials by listening to the evidence and helping resolve factual disputes. Although jurors are selected before trial begins, circumstances may arise that require the court to excuse a juror before the case…

During witness testimony, attorneys ask questions designed to obtain information relevant to the issues in dispute. Occasionally, a question may combine multiple inquiries into a single question, leading the opposing party to object that it is compound. When this occurs,…

Before a trial exhibit may be considered by the court, the party offering it must often demonstrate that the exhibit is what it is claimed to be. This process is known as authentication and serves as an important step in…

During litigation, parties may be asked to admit or deny certain facts through formal requests for admission. These responses can narrow the issues in dispute by identifying matters that no longer require proof during the case. In some situations, a…

Expert witnesses often play an important role in civil litigation by offering specialized knowledge that may assist the court or jury in understanding technical, scientific, financial, medical, or industry-specific issues. Because expert testimony can significantly influence a case, disputes sometimes…

Courts use a variety of procedural tools to manage cases and ensure that parties comply with legal requirements. When questions arise regarding a party’s conduct, compliance, or position in a case, a court may require that party to explain its…

Witness testimony can play an important role in civil litigation. Individuals who have knowledge of relevant events may provide information that helps establish facts, explain disputed issues, or support the positions taken by the parties. Because witness testimony can significantly…

Civil litigation can sometimes continue for an extended period of time, during which changes may occur that affect the individuals or entities involved in the case. In certain circumstances, a party’s role in the litigation may need to be transferred…