What is a deposition in civil litigation?
A deposition in civil litigation is a process by which a witness is questioned in order to obtain statements under oath for use in court. Depositions, also called examinations before trial, involve lawyers from both sides asking questions of the witness and having them answer. This can include the witness testifying to facts known to them and offering opinions. Depositions are conducted outside of court, typically in an attorney’s office or other suitable location, and generally do not require a judge or court reporter to be present. Depositions are used in civil litigation cases in order to allow the parties to a lawsuit to gather evidence to support their claims. For example, in a case involving a car accident, a deposition might be used to hear from eyewitnesses, or to gather information from one of the parties involved. This information might be used to build a case or to determine a factual dispute between the parties. Depositions in civil litigation cases can also be used to help the parties identify potential witnesses and to prepare for trial. Depositions allow the parties to understand the opposing party’s case better, and to get a sense of how a witness will testify in court. Depositions also help the parties examine the credibility of a witness and to see if there are any inconsistencies in their testimony.
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