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On May 23, 2026, the Missouri state legislature passed a landmark civil practice reform bill aimed at improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the state's legal system. The bill, which has been in the works for several months, was heavily debated and eventually passed with bipartisan support.The reform bill includes several key provisions that are intended to streamline the civil practice process in Missouri. One of the most significant changes is the implementation of mandatory mediation for certain types of civil cases. Under the new law, parties involved in certain types of civil disputes will be required to participate in mediation before moving forward with litigation. This is aimed at reducing the burden on the court system and encouraging parties to resolve their disputes outside of court.In addition to the mandatory mediation provision, the reform bill also includes measures to simplify and expedite the discovery process in civil cases. The new rules aim to reduce the amount of time and resources spent on discovery, allowing cases to move more quickly through the legal system.Another key aspect of the reform bill is the implementation of electronic filing for all civil cases in Missouri. This change is expected to greatly reduce the amount of paperwork and administrative burden on the court system, while also improving access to justice for litigants.Overall, the passage of this civil practice reform bill represents a significant step forward for the Missouri legal system. The changes implemented by the bill are expected to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the civil practice process in the state, ultimately benefiting both litigants and the court system as a whole.