Civil Procedure: A Coursebook (4th Edition)

This law textbook provides a comprehensive and accessible overview of civil procedure in the United States. It emphasizes clarity and critical thinking while acknowledging the complexities inherent in legal concepts.

Key strengths:

• Beginner-friendly: Presents complex legal topics in an understandable manner, making it suitable for law students starting their civil procedure journey.
• Organized for learning: Structured with clear chapter outlines, summaries, and case introductions to enhance information retention.
• Balanced approach: Explains legal doctrines effectively while acknowledging ambiguities and potential challenges.
• Real-world connections: Integrates contemporary cases and issues, demonstrating the practical application of theory.
• Engaging pedagogy: Incorporates practice questions, study aids, and online resources to promote active learning.

Content overview:

• Foundations: Explores core principles like jurisdiction, venue, and personal jurisdiction, laying the groundwork for civil litigation.
• Pleading: Examines the rules for initiating lawsuits, drafting complaints and responses, and navigating the early stages of a case.
• Discovery: Delves into the process of gathering information from opposing parties before trial to build a strong case.
• Pretrial motions: Discusses various motions, like dismissal or summary judgment, that can potentially resolve a case before trial.
• Trial: Covers the rules governing evidence, jury selection, arguments, and other aspects of courtroom proceedings.
• Appeal: Explains the process for challenging trial court decisions through the appeals system.
• Remedies: Explores the different forms of relief available to prevailing parties, such as damages or injunctions.

New in the Fourth Edition:

• Updated cases: Addresses contemporary issues like personal jurisdiction in the internet age.
• Expanded coverage: Delves deeper into affirmative defenses, class certification, and issue preclusion.
• Proportionality in discovery: Discusses recent developments regarding the balance between information gathering and undue burden.