What are considered 'pre-trial procedures' in civil litigation?

Pre-trial procedures in civil litigation encompass the various steps taken to prepare a case for trial, and this includes both pleadings and discovery. Pleadings refer to the formal written statements of the parties' respective claims and defenses, laying the groundwork for the issues to be adjudicated in court. Discovery is the process through which parties gather evidence and information from each other prior to trial, ensuring that both sides are aware of the facts and details involved in the case. This phase is essential for preparing a comprehensive and fair presentation of the case during the trial.

Other options such as finalizing costs of litigation focus more on the financial aspects rather than the preparatory legal processes. Procedures followed after a verdict is reached do not pertain to pre-trial activities at all, as they occur post-trial. Judicial reviews, while they may occur before a trial in specific contexts, do not constitute standard pre-trial procedures in most civil litigation frameworks, which are primarily focused on the preparation activities that lay the groundwork for the trial itself.