Rock Papers Scissors To settle Law Suit By Judge

Kramer · #1 06-08-2006, 08:49 PM

Judge Orders 'Rock-Paper-Scissors' To Settle Dispute

POSTED: 3:17 pm EDT June 7, 2006
UPDATED: 5:49 pm EDT June 7, 2006

TAMPA, Fla. -- A federal judge, miffed at the inability of opposing attorneys to agree on even the slightest details of a lawsuit, ordered them to settle their latest dispute the old fashioned way -- with a game of "rock paper scissors."

In an order signed Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Gregory Presnell scolded lawyers for their inability to agree on a location where they can take the sworn statement of a witness in an insurance lawsuit.

Presnell ordered both sides to meet at a neutral location at 4 p.m. June 30 to play a round of the hand-gesture game often used to settle childhood disputes. If they can't agree on the neutral location, they'll play on the steps of the federal courthouse.

The winner gets to choose the location for the witness statement.

"We're going to have to do it," said David Pettinato, lead attorney for the plaintiff, Avista Management. "I guess I'd better bone up on rock paper scissors rules."

If the loser disputes the game's outcome, that lawyer can appeal to the judge at a hearing on July 7.

Rock paper scissors has become serious competitive business in recent years, with regional tournaments determining the players in a world championship.

Last year officials of the auction houses Christie's and Sotheby's engaged in a game of rock paper scissors to decide who would get to sell a $17.8 million collection of art offered by a Japanese electronics company. Christie's won.