The purpose of these rules is to provide maximum access to the Wyoming circuit courts in civil actions; to enhance the provision of just, speedy, and inexpensive determination of civil actions; to provide expedited trial dates; and to focus discovery towards resolution of the issues. These simplified rules should be construed and administered to secure the advantages of simplified procedure as provided herein. Extensions, continuances, and stays are strongly disfavored.
At all times, the court and the parties must address the action in ways designed to assure that the process and the costs are proportionate to the amount in controversy and the complexity and importance of the issues. The factors to be considered by the court in making a proportionality assessment include, without limitation: needs of the case, amount in controversy, parties' resources, and complexity and importance of the issues at stake in the litigation. This proportionality rule is fully applicable to every aspect of these Rules.
Wyo. R. Speci. Cir. Ct. 1
Adopted May 18, 2011, effective July 1, 2011.
Comment: The idea of proportionality is to reverse the default understanding that parties are entitled to discovery of all facts without limit unless and until a court says otherwise, because the monetary and time costs of unlimited discovery reduce access to justice. It is the purpose of this rule to make clear that all facts are not necessarily subject to discovery. Rather, all pre-trial activities must focus on the facts required to appropriately resolve the particular dispute.