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S 243 104th Congress Senate

Civil Justice Reform Act of 1995

Official title: A bill to provide greater access to civil justice by reducing costs and delay, and for other purposes.

Introduced: January 19, 1995 Introduced by: Grassley, Chuck Republican · Iowa See on congress.gov
Law Administration of justiceAdministrative remediesCivil Rights and Liberties, Minority IssuesCivil procedure
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CongressCongressional reporting requirementsCrime and Law EnforcementDamagesDistrict courtsEvidence (Law)Expert witnessesFrivolous lawsuitsJurisdictionLegal assistance to the poorLegal feesLimitation of actionsPretrial procedurePrisonersRights of institutionalized persons
This bill died when the 104th Congress ended
It never became law before the 104th Congress (1995–1996) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jan 19, 1995
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Jan 19, 1995
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1207-1208)
Jan 19, 1995
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action January 19, 1995

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Civil Justice Reform Act of 1995 - Amends the Federal judicial code to entitle the prevailing party in a diversity action to attorney's fees only to the extent that such party prevails on any position or claim advanced during the action. Requires the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to study and report to the Congress on the caseloads of such diversity actions and the awarding of attorney's fees therein. Repeals such entitlement five years after the enactment of this Act.

Outlines provisions under which any party to a civil action filed in a district court may serve upon, and have accepted by, any adverse party a written offer to allow judgment to be entered for the money or property specified in the offer. Requires such offer to be accepted by the adverse party within 14 days or to be considered withdrawn.

Requires a claimant, at least 30 days before filing suit in a civil action brought in a U.S. district court, to transmit written notice to any intended defendant at an address reasonably calculated to provide actual notice. Directs the claimant, at the commencement of the action, to file in such court a certificate of service evidencing compliance with such provision. Provides for a 30-day extension of any applicable statute of limitations that would expire during the period of such notice. Makes such provision inapplicable under specified circumstances.

Amends the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act to provide that, in actions brought by any adult convicted of a crime and confined in any jail, prison, or other correctional facility, the court shall continue such case for up to 180 days in order to require the exhaustion of remedies. (Current law calls for a 90-day extension if the court believes it to be appropriate and in the interests of justice.)

Requires the Attorney General, upon the request of a State or local correctional facility, to provide technical advice and assistance in establishing plain, speedy, and effective administrative remedies for inmate grievances.

Prohibits the district court in a civil action from permitting opinion evidence on the same issue from more than one expert witness for each party, except upon a showing of good cause.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 243: Civil Justice Reform Act of 1995. 104th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/104-S-243/
MLA
"S. 243: Civil Justice Reform Act of 1995." 104th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/104-S-243/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 243, 104th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/104-S-243/.
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[S. 243: Civil Justice Reform Act of 1995](https://openamerica.io/bill/104-S-243/)
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