THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE
WESTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI
________________ DIVISION
_________________________,
Plaintiff(s), Case No.: XX-CV-XXXXX-SRB
v.
_________________________,
Defendant(s).
RULES OF BENCH TRIAL
1. Court will normally convene at 8:30 a.m. and recess at or near 5:00 p.m. The parties
may expect morning, lunch, and afternoon breaks at appropriate times.
2. Unless excused by the Court, counsel and all participants at counsel table shall: (a)
stand as Court is opened, recessed, or adjourned; (b) address all remarks, other than examination
of a witness, to the Court instead of to opposing counsel; and (c) avoid disparaging personal
remarks toward opposing counsel.
3. Except in unusual circumstances, counsel should stand when addressing the Court,
being addressed by the Court, or examining a witness. See Local Rule 83.3(a).
4. Absent good cause shown, opening statements will be limited to thirty (30) minutes
for each side.
5. Visual aid or exhibits may be used during an opening statement. Opposing counsel
must be shown the visual aid or exhibit prior to the use of the item during the opening statement.
6. Only one (1) counsel per party may examine a witness. See Local Rule 83.3(b).
7. Counsel may approach a witness for any legitimate purpose without requesting
permission to do so. However, witnesses shall be interrogated from a reasonable distance and shall
not be badgered.
8. If a podium is provided, counsel may use it, but are not required to do so.
9. Counsel shall treat adverse witnesses and parties with fairness and consideration.
No abusive language or offensive personal references will be tolerated.
10. Visible reactions to a witness’s testimony, counsel’s presentation, or Court ruling
(such as facial or body gestures) are inappropriate.
11. Do not converse with your client or co-counsel in a manner that your conversation
may be heard by the Court.
12. All exhibits utilized at trial as part of a party’s presentation of evidence, regardless
of whether admitted or not, must be kept available for use by other parties during the remainder of
the trial.
13. Absent good cause shown, closing arguments will be limited to thirty (30) minutes
for each side.
14. If the parties have any kind of daily transcript or realtime requests during the trial,
they must contact the Court Reporter, Gayle Wambolt, one month before the start of trial at
[email protected].
IT IS SO ORDERED.
/s/ Stephen R. Bough
STEPHEN R. BOUGH, JUDGE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
Date: _____________________
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