Case Management Statement (Joint Report)

When the case management statement is used

Timing: before the first scheduling or case management conference, and before later conferences if the court requires. Discovery is the stage where the parties exchange information. In most federal cases it follows the Rule 26(f) conference.

What the rule requires

• The parties must confer to consider their claims and defenses and the possibilities of settlement, arrange the Rule 26(a)(1) disclosures, discuss preserving discoverable information and develop a proposed discovery plan; the attorneys of record and all unrepresented parties that have appeared are jointly responsible for submitting to the court, within 14 days after the conference, a written report outlining the plan (Rule 26(f)(1)–(2)).
• The discovery plan must state the parties' views and proposals on the subjects listed in Rule 26(f)(3): changes to disclosures, the subjects and timing of discovery (and whether to phase it), electronically stored information, privilege and trial-preparation claims (including the timing and method for complying with Rule 26(b)(5)(A)), changes to discovery limits, and any other orders under Rule 26(c) or Rule 16(b) and (c).

More rules for the case management statement

• Except in categories of actions exempted by local rule, the judge must then issue a scheduling order after receiving the Rule 26(f) report or after a scheduling conference (Rule 16(b)(1)), and the order must limit the time to join other parties, amend the pleadings, complete discovery and file motions (Rule 16(b)(3)(A)).
• Many district courts set the exact format by local rule or standing order. Check the judge's procedures for page limits and required headings.

In practice, read each requirement closely. Then check whether your court adds anything of its own. For example, many courts set page limits, formatting rules or a duty to confer with the other side first.

You can read the full text of Fed. R. Civ. P. 16(b), 26(f)(1)–(3) online. Also, the federal judiciary publishes the current rules and recent amendments.

The case management statement in state court

This page covers the federal version. In state court, the case management statement may have a different name, a different deadline or a different form. For example, a state may count days differently or require a separate notice. So start with your state’s rules of civil procedure, then check the local rules. Our state procedures guide links to the official rules for every state and DC.

Related procedures

Similarly, these procedures often come up alongside it:

• Rule 26(f) Conference and Discovery Plan: the meeting where the parties discuss the case and prepare a proposed discovery plan for the court.
• Scheduling Order and Pretrial Conferences: the court's order setting deadlines for joining parties, amending pleadings, completing discovery and filing motions, and the conferences that manage the case.
• Initial Disclosures: information each party must share without being asked, such as people likely to have discoverable information and documents it may use.

Before you rely on this page

First, read the current text of the rule. After that, check your court’s local rules and any standing order from the judge. In addition, look at recent decisions from your own court. They show how judges apply the rule in practice. For advice about your own case, speak with a licensed attorney, for example through our directory.

State court procedure for this filing

The federal rule above applies in federal court. In state court, the same filing is governed by that state's own rules of civil procedure, statutes and local court rules. Many states model their rules on the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, so the requirements are often similar, but names, numbers, deadlines and forms can differ. Always use the version that applies to the court where your case is filed.

Examples from the largest state court systems

Each state citation was checked against the rule or code text (official source or a published copy) on October 24, 2026. Rules are amended often, so confirm the current version on the state's official site below.

Find the rule in your state

In your state's rules, look for the rule on case management statement (joint report). In states that number their rules like the federal rules, it is often the same rule number as the federal rule.