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Frequently Asked
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- Question: What is multidistrict litigation?
Answer:
Multidistrict litigation is litigation pending in more than one
federal district court involving common questions of fact. When such
cases involve civil actions, they may be transferred by the Judicial
Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (The Panel) to any federal court
for coordinated and consolidated pretrial proceedings.
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- Question: What is the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict
Litigation?
Answer: The panel is a group of seven
federal judges designated by the Chief Justice of the United States.
The Panel has the responsibility for determining which cases qualify
for multidistrict litigation treatment, as well as which district
court to transfer and consolidate these cases. The transfers are
made pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §1407, upon the Panel's determination
that the transfers will result in the convenience of the parties and
witnesses and will promote the just and efficient conduct of the
cases.
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- Question: How are the cases to be transferred brought before
the Panel?
Answer: Proceedings for transfer may be
initiated by the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation upon its
own initiative or a motion filed with the Panel by a party in any
action in which transfer for coordinated or consolidated pretrial
proceedings may be appropriate. Before cases are designated
multidistrict litigation and transferred to one federal court, the
Panel convenes a hearing and notifies all parties of the place and
time of the hearing. The Panel's order of transfer is based on a
record of such hearing at which material evidence may be offered by
any party to an action in any federal court that would be affected
by the transfer.
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- Question: If my case is subject to a transfer order, but the
case has not yet been transferred to the Eastern District of
Louisiana, where should I file documents?
Answer:
Transfers under 28 U.S.C. §1407 become effective with the filing of
the Panel's transfer order in the clerk's office of the designated
transferee court. Thus, if the transfer order to which your case is
subject has been filed in the Eastern District of Louisiana, you
must make all future filings in the Eastern District of Louisiana.
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- Question: Do I need to file a motion in the Eastern District
of Louisiana to appear pro hac vice or do I need to associate local
counsel?
Answer: Counsel who appeared in a transferor
court prior to transfer need not enter an additional appearance
before the Eastern District. Moreover, attorneys admitted to
practice and in good standing in any United States District Court
are admitted pro hac vice in this litigation. Association of local
counsel is not required.
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- Question: What information is available on the Court's
website?
Answer: The Court's website contains the
following information:
* Case Developments
* Orders/Minute Entries
* Calendar
* Reports
* Contacts
* Transcripts
* Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Additional resources include:
* Local Rules for the Eastern District of Louisiana
* Manual for Complex Litigation (Fourth)
* Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation
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