Joint Resolution Amending Court Rules

Added a rule preventing judges from considering a plaintiff's past medical expenses or equipment costs until after liability is established in medical malpractice cases.

Added new procedures allowing parties to request transfers of cases to the business and chancery court within 21 days of filing.

Added a provision allowing the Governor, Attorney General, or Legislature to file a notice to convene a special district court panel for specific actions.

Added a coordination clause stating that if both this bill and a companion bill pass, the coordination clause in the companion bill will not take effect.

Added a mandatory requirement for separate trials in medical malpractice cases, ensuring liability is determined before the jury considers specific details about the plaintiff's past medical expenses or equipment costs.

Changed the rule for case consolidation to require a single case number for all filings and clarified that the original judge assigned to the first case will hear the consolidated matter unless otherwise ordered.

Added a provision allowing judges to reassign cases to the original judge if administrative issues prevent consolidation, while keeping separate case numbers.

Updated the list of factors courts consider when consolidating cases to include specific case classification standards and removed the requirement to seek permission to intervene when opposing a consolidation motion.