The term "business court" encompasses an array of specialized formats for administering business and commercial cases at the state civil trial court level. Business courts are typically divisions, dockets, tracks, or programs within an existing state civil court system. The Business Courts Benchbook is the work of the Section's Judges Initiative Committee and Business and Corporate Litigation Committee. The Section has had a long and influential history advocating the creation and expansion of business courts and this Benchbook will substantially add to and reinforce this important legacy.

Written by business and complex litigation court judges familiar with the procedures, practices, and decision making, as well as practice leaders, this Benchbook identifies and details business court administration, procedures, and best practices nationwide, and addresses common legal issues decided by business courts. A discussion of the history and function of business courts is included as well as:

• An overview of 25 states with business courts
• an examination of discovery management
• an analysis of electronic discovery issues
• treatment of recurring legal issues
• an overview of settlement, ADR, and trials in business courts
• examination of the use of technology in courtrooms

Appendices include valuable resources for judges, practitioners, and forms that can be downloaded and customized to your own practice needs.