Student handout

Civ Pro: Trial Ready Quickstart

Your team is not trying to recite every rule. Your job is to make a procedurally sound choice, connect it to the facts, and explain what that choice does to the case.

Win condition: The plaintiff scores by surviving threshold attacks and collecting every required proof item. The defense scores by earning a supported dismissal or a Rule 56 win. Forum changes can help without ending the case.

Ruling learning cycle

Predict whether the attack succeeds before selecting a response.
Use the mechanical check to choose a responsive motion or intentionally use no response.
Compare the committed answer with the source-linked ruling.
Revise the analysis and predict the result after one fact changes.

Roles

Plaintiff team

Choose the claim and defendant.
Answer threshold attacks with a responsive motion.
Use the right discovery tool for each proof item.
Manage limited litigation budget.

Defense team

Identify a fact-supported procedural attack.
Pay attention to timing and waiver.
Raise discovery objections when the case calls for them.
Use Rule 56 when the record is incomplete.

The seven-step round

File claim: Choose one case card.
Pick defendant: Citizenship, contacts, and forum ties now matter.
Threshold attacks: The defense may use the pack's Rule 12, removal, joinder, or preview cards.
Motion response: The plaintiff selects a card that actually answers the pending attack.
Discovery: Match depositions, production requests, admissions, or expert proof to the checklist.
Rule 56: If discovery closes early, the defense may test the missing record.
Trial ready or dismissed: Read the round assessment before rotating roles.

Say the reasoning out loud

Before clicking a card, give a short answer in this order:

Rule: Name the procedural issue.
Fact: Point to the citizenship, contact, forum, pleading, or proof fact that matters.
Move: Explain why this card fits now.
Effect: Predict dismissal, cure, transfer, removal, remand, discovery progress, or trial readiness.

Fast reminders

Issue	Question to ask
Personal jurisdiction	What connects this defendant to this forum?
Subject-matter jurisdiction	Is there a federal question, or complete diversity plus sufficient amount?
Removal	Could this case have started in federal court, and is a forum defendant blocking diversity removal?
Rule 12 timing	Is the defense waivable, and was it raised in the first threshold response?
Discovery	Which tool produces this exact proof item?
Rule 56	What required proof is actually in the record?

This game is a learning model, not legal advice or a complete statement of every exception. Treat Erie and class actions as preview modules unless your instructor says otherwise.

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