Can I e-sign the questionnaire?

Yes. Electronic signatures are legally recognized under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and by UETA in most states. Confirm the court’s local rules for e-filed documents and any required signature acknowledgments.

Does the court accept redacted exhibits?

Many courts accept redacted exhibits when confidentiality is necessary, but you must follow local rules for sealed filings and provide a non-redacted version to the court under protective order when requested.

Who must sign the form?

Lead counsel or an authorized party usually signs the questionnaire. If a party is unrepresented, the party must sign. Where multiple attorneys represent a party, confirm whether lead counsel’s signature satisfies local practice.

What if opposing counsel disagrees with my responses?

Meet-and-confer requirements vary; some courts expect a joint statement. If disagreement exists, note disputed items in the questionnaire and be prepared to explain positions at the CMC.

Are notarization or witnesses required?

Not for standard CMC Questionnaires. If a court or local rule requires notarized affidavits attached to statements, the requirement will be stated in the rule; check jurisdictional procedures first.

How long should I retain the completed file?

Retain for the active case period and at least 3–7 years after closure depending on practice area; HIPAA-related materials require six years retention per 45 CFR §164.530(j).

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Legal CMC Questionnaire

Legal CMC Questionnaire

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Legal CMC Questionnaire

This Legal Case Management Conference Questionnaire is submitted in the matter styled , Case Number: , pending in . Submitted by Plaintiff/Party: and Counsel: .

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the parties are engaged in litigation concerning the allegations and defenses described herein and the Court has scheduled a Case Management Conference to address case administration, discovery, and trial preparedness;

WHEREAS, the parties have conferred in good faith regarding the matters enumerated in this questionnaire and agree to provide the Court a consolidated statement of the status of pleadings, discovery, disputed issues, and proposed scheduling to assist judicial case management;

WHEREAS, accurate and complete responses to this questionnaire are necessary to enable the Court to set an efficient discovery plan, motion schedule, and trial calendar;

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties certify the following information under penalty of perjury and submit this questionnaire in advance of the Case Management Conference.

1. CASE AND PLEADINGS

1.1 Current Pleadings: The operative complaint was filed on . The operative answer, counterclaim or responsive pleading was filed on .

Brief description of claims and affirmative defenses

2. PARTIES, COUNSEL, AND CONTACTS

Plaintiff / Petitioner Plaintiff Counsel and Contact Information Defendant / Respondent Defendant Counsel and Contact Information

3. DISCOVERY

3.1 Discovery Completed to Date:

3.2 Anticipated Discovery: Electronically stored information, depositions, expert reports, and document requests are anticipated. Estimated number of depositions: . Anticipated number of expert witnesses per side: .

Discovery disputes or protective order needs (describe)

4. MOTIONS

4.1 Pending dispositive or threshold motions:

4.2 Anticipated dispositive motions:

5. ADR AND SETTLEMENT

5.1 Have the parties participated in settlement discussions? Yes No

5.2 Recommended ADR process: Mediation Arbitration Settlement Conference

Current settlement posture

6. SCHEDULING

6.1 Proposed date for close of fact discovery:

6.2 Proposed date for service of expert reports: ; completion of expert discovery:

6.3 Proposed trial date window or estimated readiness:

7. TRIAL AND EVIDENTIARY ISSUES

Estimated trial length (days) Key evidentiary issues or Daubert concerns

8. PRIVILEGE, PROTECTION, AND SEALED MATERIAL

8.1 Do the parties anticipate disputes regarding claims of privilege or confidentiality that may require judicial resolution? Yes No

If yes, describe the nature of the privilege or sealing issues

9. CASE MANAGEMENT AND OTHER MATTERS

Are there third-party subpoenas, cross-claims, or nonparty issues requiring scheduling? Other matters the parties request the Court address at the CMC

10. CERTIFICATION OF GOOD-FAITH CONFERENCE

The undersigned counsel certify they have met and conferred in good faith regarding scheduling, discovery, and case management and that the answers provided in this questionnaire are accurate to the best of their knowledge.

Date of meet-and-confer Counsel who participated in meet-and-confer

11. DECLARATIONS, NOTICES, AND CERTIFICATIONS

By signing below, counsel and the parties certify under penalty of perjury that the information contained in this questionnaire is true, complete, and submitted in good faith to assist the Court in case management. The parties acknowledge that material misstatements may subject the signer to sanctions.

12. GOVERNING LAW; ENTIRE AGREEMENT; SEVERABILITY

This questionnaire is governed by the rules and statutes applicable to the court in which the action is pending. This document, together with any scheduling orders issued by the Court, constitutes the parties' reporting to the Court and does not supersede the Court's orders. If any provision of this questionnaire is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

MISCELLANEOUS

Amendments to this questionnaire may be made by written stipulation of the parties or by Court order. No waiver of any provision shall be effective unless in writing and signed by the party against whom the waiver is asserted.

Plaintiff:

By:

Date:

Defendant:

By:

Date:

What the Legal CMC Questionnaire Is and When It Applies

The Legal CMC Questionnaire is a court-focused Case Management Conference (CMC) questionnaire used to summarize a case’s procedural and substantive status before a scheduling or management conference. Courts use the form to set deadlines, estimate trial length, confirm discovery status, and identify issues for disposition. Typical content includes case caption, parties, counsel information, pending motions, settlement efforts, discovery completion dates, and proposed dates for hearings or trial. Completing the questionnaire accurately helps the court allocate time and resources and reduces the chance of scheduling conflicts or incomplete recordkeeping.

Why Completing a Clear CMC Questionnaire Matters

A properly prepared CMC Questionnaire streamlines the case management process, informs the court’s scheduling orders, and reduces administrative delays.

Who Typically Prepares and Reviews This Questionnaire

Accurate completion benefits all parties by reducing the need for supplemental filings and enabling focused conference discussions.

Plaintiffs’ counsel or pro se plaintiffs preparing case status and trial estimates for the court.
Defense counsel or pro se defendants reporting discovery progress and pending motions.
Court clerks and judicial chambers staff who use responses to draft scheduling orders and hearing agendas.

Step-by-Step: How to Complete and Submit the Questionnaire

Follow these sequential steps to prepare, sign, and file the CMC Questionnaire with minimal rework.

01

Prepare: Assemble pleadings, discovery dates, and counsel contact details.
02

Complete Fields: Enter case caption, number, status, and trial estimate carefully.
03

Attach Documents: Add exhibit lists or pending motion schedules as required.
04

Sign and File: Obtain signatures, then e-file or deliver to the court clerk per local rules.

How to Configure an Online CMC Questionnaire Workflow

Configure the digital workflow before sending to ensure correct routing, authentication, and archival of responses.

Field	Configuration
Template	Create a reusable template to standardize fields and required attachments.
Signer Order	Set signing order for counsel and clients where sequential approval is required.
Authentication	Choose email or SMS OTP for signer identity verification.
Storage	Enable secure archive with tamper-evident audit trail and retention rules.

Typical Online Submission Flow for the CMC Questionnaire

A modern e-submission flow reduces friction and preserves an auditable record of each action.

Upload: Upload questionnaire PDF or start from a template.
Place Fields: Add signature, date, and checkbox fields where appropriate.
Authenticate: Confirm signer identity using email or optional stronger methods.
Deliver: Send to signers and save the completed packet with audit trail.

Technical Considerations for Digital Completion and Filing

Confirm the court’s acceptable submission method—e-file, email to clerk, or in-person filing—and adjust the workflow accordingly.

File Formats: PDF/A and DOCX are commonly accepted for courts.
Integrations: Connectors for e-filing portals, case management, and cloud storage ease submission.
Authentication: Email OTP or SMS are typical; some courts require higher assurance.

Timing and Typical Filing Windows

Local rules set the precise timing; follow court instructions and calendar orders to avoid ineligibility for scheduled conferences.

Pre-conference Filing:

Many jurisdictions ask for the questionnaire at least 14 days before the CMC.

Response Time:

Opposing parties may be required to respond or submit a joint statement within 7–14 days.

Continuance Requests:

File continuance motions as early as practicable; courts may deny last-minute requests.

E-filing Cutoffs:

Electronic filing portals commonly close at 11:59 PM local time.

Hearing Calendars:

Judge chambers allocate time based on the questionnaire’s declared trial estimate.

Key Milestones from Preparation to Court Order

Track these milestones to ensure the questionnaire informs scheduling and avoids last-minute corrections.

01

Draft Completion

Finish draft and assemble exhibits prior to internal review.

02

Counsel Review

Circulate to opposing counsel for meet-and-confer where required.

03

Finalize and Sign

Collect signatures and date the completed form.

04

File and Serve

E-file or deliver to clerk and serve opposing parties promptly.

Sensitive Information Often Included and Security Notes

Personal Identifiers: Names, addresses, DOB

Case Details: Docket numbers, claims

Counsel Contacts: Emails and phone numbers

Discovery Summaries: Production dates, deposition lists

Proposed Orders: Scheduling and trial estimates

Supporting Exhibits: Uploaded PDFs and pleadings

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing the Questionnaire

Inconsistent case captions between the questionnaire and the docket that cause clerk confusion and misfiling.
Leaving discovery status vague or incomplete, forcing supplemental filings and wasting conference time.
Failing to attach referenced exhibits or listing incorrect exhibit labels, which impedes judicial review.
Using informal abbreviations for parties or courts that the clerk misinterprets during indexing or publication.

Consequences of Inaccurate or Late Questionnaires

Continuance Risk: Court may continue the conference

Sanctions: Monetary or evidentiary penalties possible

Case Delay: Scheduling and trial postponed

Judicial Reprimand: Adverse credibility with the court

Motion to Strike: Court may disregard submissions

Increased Costs: Added legal and administrative fees

Core Sections of a Professional Legal CMC Questionnaire

A complete questionnaire organizes information so the court and opposing parties can quickly assess readiness and scheduling needs.

Case Caption

Full party names and docket number prominently displayed to ensure accurate indexing and correspondence with the clerk’s records.

Contact Details

Lead counsel names, firms, emails, and direct phone numbers for procedural communications and last-minute scheduling changes.

Claims and Defenses

Short description of primary causes of action and principal defenses to focus the court on disputed issues or motion practice.

Discovery Status

Summary of completed discovery tasks, outstanding depositions or productions, and an estimate of remaining discovery time.

Settlement Efforts

Status of settlement discussions, mediation dates, or willingness to engage in alternative dispute resolution before trial.

Scheduling Requests

Proposed trial dates, required trial length, and any timing constraints that could affect the court calendar.

Real-World Examples of Questionnaire Use

These short examples illustrate how organizations use the CMC Questionnaire to streamline court scheduling and case management.

Martin Properties (Real Estate)

Martin Properties used the questionnaire to consolidate discovery timelines and hearing dates.

The form clarified outstanding inspection reports and title disputes.
By summarizing issues and attaching exhibit indexes, counsel reduced the chamber’s follow-up requests and shortened the initial management conference from two hours to thirty minutes.

Fertility Centers of Illinois (Healthcare)

Fertility Centers submitted a redacted questionnaire with exhibit references for medical records.

They noted HIPAA concerns and listed counsel handling PHI.
The court accepted the redacted filing, directed sealed exhibits where necessary, and scheduled a brief in-chambers discussion to limit public disclosure.

eSignature Platform Pricing Snapshot for Filing and Signing Questionnaires

Compare common vendor pricing and feature availability for organizations that need secure e-signatures, bulk send, and HIPAA support when handling court-related or sensitive questionnaires.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day free trial	No	No	Yes, limited	Yes, limited
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

Best Practices to Ensure a Strong, Court-Ready Submission

Adopt standard procedures to reduce errors, preserve confidentiality, and make the questionnaire useful to chambers staff and opposing parties.

Use Consistent Captioning

Always copy the exact case caption and docket number from the complaint and any subsequent amendments; inconsistent captions can cause the clerk to misfile the questionnaire and delay processing, especially when multiple actions share similar party names.

Redact Sensitive Data

When medical or financial exhibits are included, redact patient identifiers or account numbers and indicate sealed handling; failure to redact can trigger privacy breaches and possible sanctions if protected information is disclosed publicly in the docket.

Attach Exhibit Index

Provide a clear exhibit index listing exhibit numbers, short descriptions, and Bates ranges when applicable; an index reduces chamber staff follow-up and speeds judicial review by linking statements in the questionnaire to specific documents.

Confirm Filing Method

Verify whether the court requires e-filing, email submission to chambers, or in-person delivery and ensure e-signed documents meet the court’s authenticity and format requirements to avoid rejection.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Legal CMC Questionnaire

Answers to common procedural and technical questions about preparing, signing, and filing the questionnaire.

Need help? Contact support

Can I e-sign the questionnaire?
Yes. Electronic signatures are legally recognized under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and by UETA in most states. Confirm the court’s local rules for e-filed documents and any required signature acknowledgments.
Does the court accept redacted exhibits?
Many courts accept redacted exhibits when confidentiality is necessary, but you must follow local rules for sealed filings and provide a non-redacted version to the court under protective order when requested.
Who must sign the form?
Lead counsel or an authorized party usually signs the questionnaire. If a party is unrepresented, the party must sign. Where multiple attorneys represent a party, confirm whether lead counsel’s signature satisfies local practice.
What if opposing counsel disagrees with my responses?
Meet-and-confer requirements vary; some courts expect a joint statement. If disagreement exists, note disputed items in the questionnaire and be prepared to explain positions at the CMC.
Are notarization or witnesses required?
Not for standard CMC Questionnaires. If a court or local rule requires notarized affidavits attached to statements, the requirement will be stated in the rule; check jurisdictional procedures first.
How long should I retain the completed file?
Retain for the active case period and at least 3–7 years after closure depending on practice area; HIPAA-related materials require six years retention per 45 CFR §164.530(j).

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