What is the pre-trial stage of civil procedure?

The pre-trial stage of civil procedure is the stage that takes place before a trial begins. In this stage, the parties involved in the lawsuit will have the opportunity to present arguments, exchange evidence, and try to come to a settlement. In Maryland, the pre-trial stage starts after a complaint has been filed, and in some cases, it can be a lengthy process. At the beginning of the pre-trial stage, the plaintiff and defendant must file statements of their respective positions, outlining the facts and legal claims they wish to pursue. After this, they will exchange evidence and information pertinent to the case. This could be witness statements, photographs, financial records, video recordings, and other kinds of documents. Both parties will have the opportunity to review this information and to build their arguments. In addition, the pre-trial stage is when the parties will attempt to settle the case. In Maryland, the court may order the parties to participate in mediation or to attend a settlement conference with an alternative dispute resolution provider in an effort to resolve the case without going to trial. If the parties can reach an agreement at this stage, they will sign a settlement agreement and the case will be resolved. If the pre-trial stage does not result in a settlement, then the case will move on to the trial stage. During this stage, the parties will present their arguments to a jury or judge and the outcome of the trial will determine the final resolution of the case.

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