What is discovery in civil litigation?

Discovery in civil litigation is the process in which parties in a legal dispute exchange relevant evidence and information. In Florida, the discovery process typically begins when one party files a lawsuit against another. The defendant must then respond with a written answer that answers the allegations presented in the suit. Once the answer is submitted, the parties then enter the discovery phase. During this phase, parties may use various forms of discovery to obtain documents and other evidence that are relevant to the case. Forms of discovery can include interrogatories (written questions that must be answered under oath), depositions (questions asked of a witness under oath), and document requests (written requests for documents). Discovery also involves electronic discovery, which can include emails, text messages, images, and other electronically stored data. During this phase, each party’s lawyers work to collect documents, answers, and other information, which will be used to build their case. The goal of discovery is to ensure both parties have access to evidence and information that may strengthen their case and provide a more thorough understanding of the dispute. When a party believes that the discovery process has been completed, they may then file a motion to end the process. After this motion is filed, each party will review the evidence collected during discovery to determine how they will move forward with the case.

Related FAQs

What is discovery in civil litigation?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts