MDL
Law & Legal abbreviation · Litigation
| Stands for | Multidistrict litigation |
|---|---|
| Categories | Law & Legal |
MDL stands for Multidistrict litigation, a litigation abbreviation.
Federal procedure for transferring civil cases filed in different districts that share common factual questions to one judge for coordinated pretrial proceedings, such as discovery and motions. It is used for mass torts, product liability, data breaches, antitrust and securities cases.
Example: Thousands of hip implant cases were consolidated in the MDL in Ohio.
Usage notes
Created by 28 U.S.C. § 1407 in 1968, with transfers decided by the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. MDLs make up a large share of pending federal civil cases. Lexecon v. Milberg Weiss (1998) held that the transferee judge cannot keep cases for trial without consent, so bellwether trials and global settlements are common.
Related abbreviations
More litigation abbreviations
- IME – Independent medical examination
- J.A. – Joint appendix
- JAMS – JAMS (formerly Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services)
- JMOL – Judgment as a matter of law
- LCIA – London Court of International Arbitration
- LOP – Letter of protection
- MIL – Motion in limine
- MSA – Master Settlement Agreement
- MSC – Mandatory settlement conference
- MSJ – Motion for summary judgment
- MTD – Motion to dismiss
- MVA – Motor vehicle accident
See all 71 litigation abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not legal advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.