Trial practice refers to the procedures and strategies employed by attorneys and other legal professionals during the preparation for and conduct during a trial. It encompasses all the activities involved in presenting a case in court, from pre-trial motions and discovery to the trial itself and post-trial motions.
Only a small percentage of legal disputes end up going to court. When a trial does occur, the procedural rules of the particular area of law will govern the expected conduct during the trial.
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There are also specific rules of conduct that concern trial practice in particular courts. Trial practice is governed by state law in state courts and federal law in federal courts.
[Last updated in June of 2024 by the Wex Definitions Team]