First hearings are a bit of a meet and greet, make sure documents are filed and then set a date for the first real hearing stating what each party will provide, disclose, etc prior to that date. The next hearing would probably be at least a few months after the initial one. The parties may have negotiated some things prior and can present options or dates around when other material will be submitted or when further negotiations may take place. The judge wont make a ruling at this point unless the parties put forward a pretty solid settlement proposal, which is unlikely to happen. The judge may force the parties into formal discussions on a specific date with a legal mediator to see if an arrangement and settlement can be found prior to the next hearing date. Then the legal merry-go round commences. Court is not a nimble beast and if no common ground is found a final trial date is more likely to be many months or years after the first hearing.
ISX Price at posting:
$1.07 Sentiment: Hold Disclosure: Held
