Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ared-4_06-cv-01079/USCOURTS-ared-4_06-cv-01079-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 385
Nature of Suit: Property Damage - Product Liability
Cause of Action: 28:1332 Diversity-Property Damage

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS

WESTERN DIVISION

GEERIDGE FARM, INC., ET AL. PLAINTIFFS

vs. CASE NO. 4:06CV1079GH

BAYER CROPSCIENCE LP DEFENDANT

ORDER

Pending before the Court is the motion of defendant. (BCS) to stay the parties’

obligations under Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 16 and 26 pending transfer to a

multidistrict litigation (MDL) court. BCS states that a stay would be in the interest of justice

and judicial economy. 

Plaintiff objects to the request. Plaintiff contends that defendant is attempting to

delay the proceedings and avoid litigating this case in Arkansas. 

The Court has considered the arguments and is persuaded that a stay is warranted

and that plaintiff would not be unduly prejudiced by the stay. 

Therefore, the obligations of the parties under Rules 16 and 26 of the Federal Rules

of Civil Procedure are stayed pending a decision of the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict

Ligation on whether to transfer this action to an MDL proceeding. In the event the Judicial

Panel orders transfer to an MDL Court, the stay shall remain in effect until the transferee

court enters a new scheduling order lifting the stay. If the Judicial Panel denies transfer,

BCS is directed to notify the Court promptly of that decision in order to permit entry of a

new ISO.

Accordingly, the motion to stay is granted. Furthermore, plaintiff’s motion to

substitute the class representatives and file a first amended complaint is granted. 

IT IS SO ORDERED this 11th day of December, 2006.

_______________________________

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 4:06-cv-01079-GH Document 14 Filed 12/11/06 Page 1 of 1