Local Rule LR 42.1: Civil Trials, Order of Proof and Bifurcation

LR 42.1 Civil Trials, Order of Proof and Bifurcation. The court may compel the plaintiff in any action to produce all evidence upon the question of the defendant's liability before any witness is called to testify solely to the extent of the injury or damages. The defendant's attorney may then move for a judgment as a matter of law. If the motion is refused, the trial shall proceed. The court may, however, allow witnesses to be called out of order. The court may order that the issues of liability and damages be bifurcated and that separate trials be held on each issue. Separate issues of liability or damages may be further subdivided for separate trials.