Procedural Ruling

Definition ∞ A procedural ruling is a decision made by a court or judge concerning the method or conduct of a legal case, rather than the substantive merits of the dispute itself. These rulings address aspects such as evidence admissibility, discovery requests, jurisdiction, or scheduling. They govern the mechanics of how a case proceeds.
Context ∞ In digital asset litigation, procedural rulings often determine the trajectory of a case, impacting how evidence related to blockchain transactions or smart contracts is presented. Decisions on jurisdiction, especially for globally distributed crypto projects, or the proper service of process for anonymous defendants, are critical. These rulings can significantly influence the feasibility and cost of pursuing or defending legal actions within the crypto space.