The Oklahoma Expedited Actions Act: What It Could Mean for Your Case

by Paul Hood

Earlier this year, Governor Kevin Stitt signed into law the Oklahoma Expedited Actions Act. This new set of statutes allows for faster procedures for certain civil cases involving monetary damages of $250,000 or less—not counting interest, statutory or punitive damages, attorneys’ fees, or court costs.

Although it varies by county, cases in some Oklahoma courts may take 30 months or more to be resolved. Starting September 1, 2025, that could change— at least for some cases.

Important Takeaways

1. Discovery Cut to Six Months with Strict Limits

Once a plaintiff’s initial disclosures are due, the clock starts on a 180-day discovery period. Each party gets:

  • 20 total hours of depositions;
  • 15 interrogatories;
  • 15 requests for production; and
  • 15 requests for admission.

After those six months, the court must set trial within 90 days. The judge can push that date back for good cause, but only by 60 days. In other words, cases under the Act could hit trial in under a year.

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2. Trials Limited to Three Days or Less

At trial, each side gets 8 hours to present its case-in-chief. If you can show good cause, the judge may allow up to 12 hours per side. That means most trials will last three days or less.

From a practical standpoint, this makes trial strategy even more important. You have to know what matters most and make every minute count.

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3.  Half-Day, Low-Cost Mediation—If It Works

The Act allows courts to require the parties to attend mediation or a settlement conference:

  • For no more than half a day; and
  • Fees are capped at $500.

This sounds efficient in theory, but will be worth watching as cases start moving through the system.

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4.  Fewer Pretrial Battles Over Expert Testimony

Objections to expert testimony in cases under the Act are now limited to:

  • An objection to summary judgment evidence at pretrial, or
  • An objection during trial.

That means fewer lengthy, expensive motions to exclude experts before trial.

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5.  Expert Standards Now Match Federal Rule

The Act amends 12 O.S. § 2702 to match the federal rule for expert testimony (Rule 702, Federal Rules of Evidence).

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6.  New Caps on Non-Economic Damages in Injury Cases

For bodily injury cases (including cases not brought under the Act),there are now caps on non-economic damages subject to certain exceptions. That probably won’t matter for most business litigation matters, but it’s still notable.

What is the potential impact?

In the right case, the Act could provide real benefits. For example, in cases where the claimed damages are under $250,000, moving to this expedited docket could save a client significant time and money.

It’s too early to say whether the Act will deliver on its promise of efficiency across the board. It will be important to follow the early cases closely.

Bottom line: The Oklahoma Expedited Actions Act could change the way litigation works in Oklahoma. Understanding how to leverage these new rules will be an advantage for clients seeking a faster, more cost-effective resolution for appropriate disputes.

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