An ongoing compilation of information that federal district judges have found useful for immediate bench or chambers reference. The Bench Book contains sections on such topics as assignment of counsel, taking guilty pleas, model sentencing forms, standard voir dire questions, and oaths.

A description of the increase in the cost of litigation from 1973 to 1983. The article discusses causes of the increase and describes steps taken by lawyers, corporate clients, and the judiciary to reduce litigation costs. Reprint of 37 Rutgers Law Review 219-252 (Winter 1985, Number 2)

A theoretical economic analysis that compares the influence of five attorney fee rules on litigants' financial incentives: the American rule, the English rule, statutory provisions allowing recovery by prevailing plaintiffs, contingent fee arrangements, and an offer-of-judgment rule.

An examination of the local rules federal district courts have developed in response to the 1983 amendment to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 16, which calls for increased use of scheduling orders in managing caseloads. An appendix contains sample local rules from fifteen districts.