W.R.C.P.C.C. 1

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.

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.