Multidistrict Litigation Rules Plan Advanced By Advisory Panel

A proposal closely watched by corporations to create a framework for courts managing multidistrict litigation advanced in the judiciary’s rulemaking process.

The Judicial Conference Advisory Committee on Civil Rules on Tuesday teed up the proposed new rule for public comment, pending approval from the Judicial Conference’s Standing Committee, which is expected to meet in June.

Multidistrict litigation proceedings, known as MDLs, involve transferring civil cases with similar issues to a single district court to handle them under one umbrella. Those cases account for a large portion of the federal civil docket.

3M Co., Johnson & Johnson, Bayer AG were among ...