pre-trial-statement

# Pre-Trial Statement

Draft a court-ready pre-trial statement that narrows issues, fixes trial assumptions, and prevents evidentiary surprises.

## Prerequisites

Pause and gather before drafting. If any item is missing, ask.

1. **Jurisdiction & local rules** — filing templates, exhibit-labeling conventions, page/style limits, e-filing requirements
2. **Core case file** — complaint, answer/counterclaim, motions/orders, case management orders, discovery responses, deposition excerpts, stipulations, admissions
3. **Party & claims info** — identities, roles, claims, defenses, relief requested, key deadlines (discovery cutoff, expert disclosure, trial date)
4. **Confidentiality** — sealing requirements for addresses, medical records, trade secrets, sensitive personal data
5. **Witnesses** — availability, live vs. stipulation vs. deposition designation
6. **Exhibits** — produced, pre-marked, contested (authenticity/admissibility), redactions
7. **Settlement/ADR** — whether obligations are satisfied per case plan or court order

## Output Structure

### 1) Source Matrix

Build before drafting to map inputs to output sections.

| Section | Required Inputs | Statement Output |
|---|---|---|
| Caption | Court, case number, parties, judge | Exact caption block |
| Procedural history | Filings/orders log | Chronological timeline |
| Undisputed facts | Stipulations, admissions | Numbered facts |
| Contested issues | Pleading/deposition conflicts | Fact + law dispute sections |
| Witnesses | Notes, designations, party lists | Party-organized witness table |
| Exhibits | Document lists, custodians | Exhibit index + objections |
| Trial posture | Motions, scheduling orders | Trial requirements |

### 2) Drafting Sequence

1. **Caption & cover block** — court, case number, parties, judge, trial date
2. **Procedural posture** — chronological, neutral tone
3. **Undisputed facts** — numbered declarative paragraphs; no legal conclusions
4. **Contested issues of fact** — issue title + why material
5. **Contested legal issues** — each side's position and basis for disagreement
6. **Witness summaries** — organized by party:

| Witness | Party | Type | Core Testimony | Live/Designation | Objection Risks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|

7. **Exhibit index**:

| Exhibit ID | Description | Custodian | Evidentiary Dispute | Intended Use | Foundation Need |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|

8. **Trial logistics & ancillary matters** — motions in limine, evidentiary fights, expert challenges
9. **Settlement/ADR status** — without privileged detail
10. **Quality pass** — verify against jurisdictional formatting, paginate, sign

### 3) Templates

```text
COURT:
CASE NO.:
JUDGE:
PLAINTIFF / DEFENDANT:
NATURE OF ACTION:
HEARING / TRIAL DATE:
PARTY RESPONSIBLE FOR FILING:
```

```text
DISPUTED ISSUE TABLE
Issue | Governing Rule/Authority | Party A Position | Party B Position | Why Material | Proposed Relief
```

## Guidelines

- **Mandatory sections** — caption, procedural history, undisputed facts, disputed facts/law, witnesses, exhibits, trial logistics, ADR posture
- **Source grounding** — every disputed matter must cite case-file sources; never restate hearsay as fact
- **Undisputed facts** — each paragraph must be unequivocally non-controversial
- **Neutral tone** — no argumentative rhetoric
- **Privilege guard** — preserve litigation positions but never reveal settlement demands, mediation positions, or privileged strategy
- **Local rules govern** — if local rules conflict with this template, defer to local rules
- **Admissibility citations** — cite only authority you can verify in case materials and governing law [VERIFY]