Opinion ID: 755571
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The complexity and duration of the litigation

Text: Citing the myriad complex legal and factual issues which would arise at trial, the district court found the anticipated complexity, costs, and time necessary to try this case greatly substantiate the fairness of the settlement. Fairness Opinion, 962 F.Supp. at 536. The court found that litigation would require expensive and time consuming discovery, would necessitate the use of several expert witnesses, and would not be completed for years. Consequently, the court concluded this factor weighed in favor of settlement. We agree. Examining the sheer magnitude of the proposed settlement class as well as the complexity of the issues raised, we conclude the trial of this class action would be a long, arduous process requiring great expenditures of time and money on behalf of both the parties and the court. The prospect of such a massive undertaking clearly counsels in favor of settlement. 61