The Fourth Edition of the Hornbook on Civil Procedure gives a straightforward, no-nonsense assessment of the law as it exists, including the highlighting of areas where cases conflict or there is some other uncertainty in the law. This method of direct analysis provides answers when needed, benefiting students, professors, and practitioners alike. Important new cases have been added or substituted as the situation dictates; some of the most dramatic alterations in the material involve significant amendments to the Federal Discovery Rules promulgated after the last edition.