Proposition 71 Lawsuit About to Get White Hot

The Court is allowing the lawsuits against Proposition 71 to go to trial on the merits. This means facts and evidence will be presented in open court, which could get very interesting.

Before that, there will be an intense period of “discovery,” that is written questions, document production, and depositions (statements taken under oath). Discovery is the heart of any case where victories and defeats are crafted, and thus things can get very heated in even mundane cases—and this is no mundane case.

After that will come a very public trial, which will be covered by media from around the world.

The judge seems intent on getting the case to trial quickly, which is understandable. The date currently set for trial is February 27, 2006. But don’t be surprised if discovery disputes delay that date, as I don’t expect the powers that be at the Institute for Regenerative Medicine to give up their secrets easily.

In any event, contrary to Institute head Robert Klein’s blithe assertion that the case was all but over, it has really just begun.