Lawyers for the five told Dundee Sheriff Court that the case, which is set for trial next week, had several preliminary issues that had to be dealt with.

BBC: Tayside and Central Scotland

Around 20 barristers, representing the defendants, sat in two rows as preliminary legal issues were discussed ahead of a jury being selected for the trial.

BBC: Dale Cregan: PCs murder trial starts

She has issued opinions and orders resolving pre-trial disputes in civil cases, written reports and recommendations to district court judges on a variety of issues, conducted preliminary proceedings in criminal cases, and presided over 14 trials with the consent of the parties.

WHITEHOUSE: The White House

"The preliminary information we had indicated that she had several minor medical issues, but I can't comment on those, " Winter said.

CNN: Donda West's plastic surgeon walks off 'Larry King Live'

And since the injunction is a preliminary ruling, the NFL may ultimately prevail on the jurisdictional or antitrust issues.

FORBES: NFL Should Accept Injunction, Hold Draft And Let The Market Run Its Route

Given the panoply of civil liability and criminal exposure issues analyzed at various levels in this memorandum, and given the preliminary nature of any such effort of first impression, legal minds will most certainly approach the specifics of any fact pattern cautiously and differently.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Shariah��s Black Box

Secretary Chertoff publicly spoke to many of these issues weeks before Katrina hit, and he identified many of the recommendations raised in the GAO preliminary report in public testimony in October.

NPR: Fragmented Government Slowed Katrina Response