In American law, the idea of finality—that a case must eventually end—has always been balanced against something even more fundamental: legitimacy. A judgment obtained without jurisdiction, or through deception, is not merely flawed; it is void from the beginning. Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 60(b)(4), anyone affected by such a judgment can ask the […]

  Every litigant who steps into federal court expects one basic thing — that their case will be heard fairly and without unreasonable delay. Yet, in practice, many constitutional and jurisdictional motions linger on the docket for months or even years while the harm they describe continues every day. Congress saw that danger coming. That’s […]

Understanding the Structure of Court Procedures Court procedures, encompassing the rules that govern civil litigation, serve as the backbone of judicial functioning at both federal and state levels. These rules of civil procedure are established through a meticulous and structured process that involves various stakeholders, including committees composed of judges, practicing lawyers, and legal scholars. […]