Can Civil Litigation Be Prompt, Efficient, And Cost-Effective? Maybe In Alabama

In September of this year, Alabama joined the more than 25 other states with a procedure for the expedited handling of certain civil actions. The Alabama Rules for Expedited Civil Actions were created pursuant to Alabama Code 6-1-3(a) and become effective January 1, 2017. The new Rules only apply to circuit court civil actions where the damages are less than $50,000, the parties agree to the assignment of the action to an expedited track, and the subject of the action does not fall into certain categories such as family law or real property law. Even under the expedited track, jury trials are permitted.

For assignment to the expedited track, the plaintiff merely states in the complaint his election to the expedited track and that damages will not exceed $50,000, inclusive of interest, costs, and attorney fees. If the defendant objects, his answer should so specify, and the action will not be assigned to the expedited track. Or, if the plaintiff does not seek assignment