Discovery - Scope - Rule 26 Flashcards
Rule 26(a)(1)(A) Required Initial Disclosures
A party must disclose to other parties
- The name and, if known, the contact information for every person that may have discoverable information – and the subjects of information – that the party may use
- A copy – or a description – of all documents and tangible things that the party has and may use
- A computation of each category of damages claimed and the documents supporting these claims, unless they are privileged or protected from disclosure
- Any insurance agreement that may be liable for part or all of a possible judgment
Rule 26(a)(1)(B)
Proceedings exempt from disclosure
Rule 26(a)(1)(C)
Time for Initial Disclosures
A party must make initial disclosures within 14 days of the parties’ Rule 26(f) conference, with two exceptions.
Rule 26(a)(1)(D)
Time for Initial Disclosures for Parties Served or Joined Later
A party joined or served after the Rule 26(f) conference must make initial disclosures within 30 days of being served or joined.
Rule 26(a)(1)(E)
Basis for Initial Disclosure Unacceptable Excuses
A party must make its initial disclosures based on the information reasonably available. A party isn’t excused because it hasn’t fully investigated or because it challenges the disclosures another party made or because another party hasn’t made disclosures.
Rule 26(b)(1)
Scope
Unless otherwise limited by court order, parties may obtain discovery regarding any nonprivileged matter that
- is relevant to any party’s claim or defense and
- proportional to the needs of the case, considering
- the importance of the issues at stake in the action,
- the amount in controversy,
- the parties’ relative access to information,
- the parties’ resources,
- the importance of the discovery in resolving the issues, and
- whether the burden or expense of the proposed discovery outweighs its likely benefits.
- Information within this scope of discovery need not be admissible in evidence to be discoverable.
Rule 26(b)(2)(A)
Limits on Frequency and Extent
A court may change the number of depositions and interrogatories and the length of depositions under Rule 30.
Rule 26(b)(2)(B)
Specific Limitations on ESI
A party doesn’t have to provide discovery of electrically stored information if it shows it’s not accessible without undue costs. On a motion to compel, the party must show the information is not reasonable accessible because of undue cost. The court my order discovery anyway if the requesting party shows good cause.
Rule 26(b)(2)(C)
When Required
The court must limit the frequency or extent of discovery if it determines
- The discovery sought is unreasonably cumulative or duplicative or can be obtained from a more convenient, less burdensome or cheaper source
- The party seeking discovery has ample opportunity to obtain the information by discovery in the action or
- The discovery is outside the scope permitted by Rule 26(b)(1)
Rule 26(b)(3)(A)
Documents and Tangible Things
Ordinarily, a party may not discover documents and tangible things that are prepared in anticipation of litigation or for trial But, subject to Rule 26(b)(4), those materials may be discoverable if
- They are otherwise discoverable under Rule 26(b)(1) and
- The party shows that it has substantial need for the materials to prepare its case and cannot, without undue hardship, obtain their substantial equivalent by other means.
Rule 26(b)(3)(B)
Protections Against Disclosures
If the court orders discovery of those materials, it must protect against disclosure of mental impressions, conclusions, opinions, or legal theories of a party’s attorney or other representative concerning the litigation
Rule 26(b)(3)(C)
Previous Statement
Any party or person can obtain its own previous statement about the case. If it’s refused, the party can motion to compel. Defines previous statement
Rule 26(b)(4)(A)
Deposition of Experts who May Testify
A party may depose any expert who may testify. If the expert must file a report under Rule 26(a)(2), the party must wait until the report is provided
Rule 26(b)(4)(B)
Protections for Drafts
Rules 26(b)(3)(A) and (B) protects any drafts of reports or disclosures.
Rule 26(b)(4)(C)
Protections for Communications Between Attorneys and Experts
Rules 26(b)(3)(A) and (B) protects any communications between a party’s attorney and any witness required to provide a report under Rule 26(a)(2)(B), except communications that
- Relate to the expert’s compensation
- Identify facts or data that the attorney gave the expert
- Identify assumptions that the attorney told the expert