Chapter 2: The Court System and Dispute Resolution

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Andersons Business Law and the Legal Environment

• Chapter 2 The Court System and Dispute Resolution

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Jurisdiction

• Courts hear disputes according to their
  jurisdiction.
• General jurisdiction courts hear a wide range of
  matters.
• Limited jurisdiction courts deal with cases
  restricted to certain subject matter.
• Courts that review the decisions of trial courts
  are appellate courts.

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Court Systems

• The courts in the United States are organized
  into the state and federal court systems, each
  (generally) with three levels
• trial courts
• appellate courts
• a supreme court

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The Federal Court System
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The State Court System
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Trial Procedures

• Within the courts of original jurisdiction, there
  are rules for procedures in all matters.
• A civil case begins with the filing of a
  complaint by a plaintiff, which is then answered
  by a defendant.
• Discovery is the pretrial process used by the
  parties to find out the evidence in the case
  (depositions, interrogatories, and document
  requests).

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Trial Procedures

• The case is managed by a judge and may be heard
  by a jury.
• Through the process of voir dire, the parties may
  challenge the selection of certain potential
  jurors.
• The trial involves opening statements, the
  presentation of evidence, and the direct and
  cross-examination of witnesses.
• Once a judgment is entered, the party who has won
  can collect the judgment through garnishment and
  a writ of execution.

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Steps in Litigation
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Steps in Litigation (contd)
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Forums for Legal Rights Determination