What is Discovery in a Civil Lawsuit?

Discovery is the process of identifying and obtaining any information or evidence that is relevant and material to the dispute. 

How is Discovery used in a Civil Trial?

Discovery is the process of identifying and obtaining any information or evidence that is relevant and material to the dispute. 

The rules of procedure for federal and state court litigation allow a party to obtain any such evidence from the other party or third parties. 

The purpose behind the discovery process is to allow the parties to obtain the necessary information to resolve or litigate the dispute. 

The outcome of a case should be based upon all of the facts and evidence available. 

Several methods exist for requesting information between the parties:

What are Interrogatories?

Interrogatories are a series of written statements in question format and directed to the other party. The court will permit a limited number of relevant questions that directly relate to or will potentially lead to relevant evidence. The questions are generally presented in a yes/no or admit/deny format. The party receiving the interrogatories must answer these questions within a statutory period of time. A failure to answer the questions may result in the court deeming the interrogatory statements to be true.

What are Requests for Production?

Each party may request that one party produce any documents or other physical evidence that are relevant to the dispute or are likely to lead to relevant evidence. The party receiving the request for production must generally make the listed documents or evidence available for the other party's review.

• Note: The request to produce documents can be directed to third parties who are not otherwise involved in the litigation.

What are Depositions?

A deposition is a formal interview of an individual taken when that person is sworn to an oath of truth (under oath). The court will permit parties to depose the other party and any third parties who may have relevant information or evidence. Depositions serve the purpose of formally recording an individual's testimony prior to trial. It can prevent an individual from intentionally or inadvertently modifying her testimony at trial.

What are Requests for Admission?

A request for admission is a statement of facts presented to the other party. It seeks to identify and establish the facts that are not in dispute. This is made to save time and money.

Through these court-approved methods, parties to a civil suit have extensive authority to uncover evidence this is material to the litigation. The authority to demand evidence becomes controversial when the evidence demanded in some way discloses private or personal information of third parties.

Related Topics

• Civil Litigation Procedure (Intro)
• What is a civil lawsuit or civil action?
• Who are the parties to a lawsuit?
• What is standing to sue?
• Venue
• What is personal jurisdiction?
• What is a class action?
• What are the pleadings?
• What is discovery?
• What is the scope of discovery?
• What are motions and how are they used?
• What are frivolous cases?
• Barratry
• What is the process of selecting a jury?
• What are the steps involved in a civil trial?
• What is the burden of proof in a civil trial?
• How is a civil trial decided?
• Adjudication
• Default Judgment
• Stipulated Judgment
• Equitable Defenses
• Equitable Relief
• Doctrine of Clean Hands
• Compensatory Damages
• Punitive Damages
• Replevin
• What is joint and several liability?
• Judgment Proof
• What is the process for appeal?
• Amicus Curiae Brief
• How do parties enforce a civil judgment?
• Levy
• Garnishment
• Writ of Attachment
• Writ of Execution
• Writ of Seizure and Sale
• Sheriff's Sale
• What is res judicata