Governor Signs Luetkemeyer’s Court Rules Reform Bill
JEFFERSON CITY — The often cumbersome phase of discovery in court cases should proceed more efficiently now that the governor has signed Senate Bill 224 into law. The legislation, sponsored by State Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer, R-Parkville, will reduce the time and cost of lawsuits.
Senate Bill 224 reforms the rules for discovery in civil court cases and brings state law more in line with federal practices. The legislation limits the time-consuming and expensive phase of gathering evidence prior to a trial. The measure seeks to prevent abuses of the evidence-gathering process, which can raise costs and deny parties a speedy outcome.
“Discovery accounts for about 75 percent of the time and cost of any lawsuit,” Sen. Luetkemeyer said. “This legislation streamlines that process and will lower the cost and length of court proceedings for all parties. Plaintiffs who have been wronged can receive compensation sooner, and defendants facing frivolous lawsuits can have them resolved with minimum delay and cost. It’s a win-win for everyone.”
For more information about Sen. Luetkemeyer, visit www.senate.mo.gov/luetkemeyer.