​This bilingual (English and French) Code of Pre-Trial Conduct has been prepared by the American College of Trial Lawyers to promote professionalism and courtesy among trial lawyers. It is a companion piece to the ACTL Code of Trial Conduct. The Code has been edited by Canadian Fellows of the College to ensure consistency with Canadian practice and terminology.

This ACTL Code represents an attempt by the College to set down aspirational, rather than minimal, guidelines for trial lawyers and judges. The problem in trial practice today is not that lawyers violate the ethical rules, although some lawyers do. Most lawyers know the rules and try to comply. The real problem is the gradual corrosion of the profession’s traditional aspirations.

White Paper from the Advocacy in the 21st Century Committee on Conducting Appellate Arguments by Use of Remote Video

White Paper from the Advocacy in the 21st Century Committee on Conducting Nonjury Trials by Use of Remote Video

White Paper from the Advocacy in the 21st Century Task Force on Conducting Remote Hearings by Use of Remote Video

White Paper from the Advocacy in the 21st Century Committee on Conducting Remote Video Depositions and Examinations for Discovery.

Interim guidelines regarding Constitutional Protections Implicated by the Reopening of Criminal Courts created by the Advocacy in the 21st Century Task Force in July, 2020.

​The ACTL Task Force on Advocacy in the 21st Century has gathered policies, procedures, orders, and other input from lawyers in the United States and Canada in an effort to assemble the wisdom and experience of others on the use of taking depositions and examinations via remote video.

The goals here are straightforward: to increase the thoroughness of jurors’ evidence review and to improve jurors’ deliberations. The premise is that jurors who focus and deliberate in a meaningful way are more likely to reach the correct decision.

White Paper from the Advocacy in the 21st Century Committee on Issues to be Considered When Preparing for and Conducting a Civil Jury Trial During the Pandemic.