Leave it to good ol' Judge Jackson to throw everyone a curve. "Redmond Justice" is on extended hiatus for at least another five weeks or so, but even during this downtime he's managed to shake things up a little. According to an Inter@ctive Week Online article, Jackson has broken from tradition in a move that basically tells Microsoft and the government, "settle or else." When he met with both sides earlier this week and set the timetable for the remainder of the case, he did something unorthodox. In non-jury cases, once the testimony is over, the judge who must rule asks the lawyers from both sides to hand over a written summary of what they see to be the facts in the case, and what laws should apply to those facts. Usually the judge then addresses those written submissions when he or she makes a decision. Jackson, on the other hand, has changed the rules; he plans to rule on the facts in the case first, and then ask both sides what they think the law should do about them.

Interesting! Dramatic! A sure ratings-booster! Once Jackson rules on the facts in the case, there will be little doubt in anyone's mind about which side's going to win. In essence, he's giving both sides time to settle their differences, because the final ruling won't be made until several weeks after he rules on the facts. So if, for example, Microsoft hears the facts as determined by Jackson and sees the Big Anti-trust Steamroller of Doom™ barreling down on them, they'll be much more likely to come to a settlement agreement with the government. After all, it sure beats losing the case. And if both sides choose to remain stubborn to the end, then we've all got ourselves a kickin' courtroom drama that may actually last well into next year, according to the New York Times. Kudos to Jackson for injecting a little more intrigue into what is already a fascinating case-- we're talking miniseries event material, here. Or at least movie-of-the-week.

Incidentally, the Inter@ctive Week Online article is also noteworthy for including a courtroom sketch of Judge Jackson, whose exploits we've been following for well over a year and a half but whose face we've never actually seen before. If the sketch is any indication, apparently Jackson doesn't just act like His Royal Grumpiness Judge Wapner (now appearing on Animal Planet's Animal Court, with longtime sidekick Rusty the bailiff!)-- he kind of looks like him, too. Separated at birth, perhaps?