DISCOVERY

discovery,n.1.  The  act  or  process  of  finding  or  learning  something  that  was  previously

unknown  <after  making  the  discovery,  the  inventor  immediately  applied  for  a  patent>.  2.

Compulsory  disclosure,  at  a  party’s  request,  of  information  that  relates  to  the  litigation  <the

plaintiff filed a motion to compel discovery>. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 26–37; Fed. R. Crim. P. 16. • The

primary  discovery  devices are  interrogatories,  depositions,  requests for  admissions, and  requests

for  production.  Although  discovery  typically  comes  from  parties,  courts  also  allow  limited

discovery  from  nonparties.  [Cases:  Federal  Civil  Procedure    1261–1686;  Pretrial  Procedure

11–44.C.J.S.   Discovery   §§   2–12,   14–22,   24–29,   31–47,   51–53,   56,   58–59,   69;   Pretrial

Procedure§§  2–6.]  3.  The  facts  or  documents  disclosed  <the  new  associate  spent  all  her  time

reviewing discovery>.4. The pretrial phase of a lawsuit during which depositions, interrogatories,

and other forms of discovery are conducted. — discover,vb. — discoverable,adj.

“Discovery  has  broad  scope.  According  to  Federal Rule  26,  which  is the  model  in  modern

procedural  codes,  inquiry  may  be  made  into  ‘any  matter,  not  privileged,  that  is  relevant  to  the

subject  matter  of  the  action.’  Thus,  discovery  may  be  had  of  facts  incidentally  relevant  to  the

issues in the  pleadings even if the  facts do not directly  prove or disprove the facts in question.”

Geoffrey C. Hazard Jr. & Michele Taruffo, American Civil Procedure: An Introduction 115 (1993).

accelerated  discovery.A  party’s  production  of  relevant  evidence  to  an  opponent  at  a  time

earlier than would otherwise be required by rule or standing order of the court. • The accelerated

discovery is usu. carried out in compliance with a specific court order or the parties’ agreement. —

Also termed accelerated disclosure.

postjudgment  discovery.Discovery  conducted  after  judgment  has  been  rendered,  usu.  to

determine  the  nature  of  the  judgment  debtor’s  assets  or  to  obtain  testimony  for  use  in  future

proceedings.  —  Also  termed  posttrial  discovery.  [Cases:  Execution    373–400;  Federal  Civil

Procedure    2707. C.J.S. Executions §§ 356, 359–389, 412.]

pretrial  discovery.Discovery  conducted  before  trial  to  reveal  facts  and  develop  evidence.  •

Modern  procedural  rules  have  broadened  the  scope  of  pretrial  discovery  to  prevent  the  parties

from surprising each other with evidence at trial. [Cases: Federal Civil Procedure    1261; Pretrial

Procedure    14, 25. C.J.S. Discovery §§ 2, 6, 10, 32, 36, 58.]

reciprocal discovery.See reverse Jencks material under JENCKS MATERIAL.

reverse discovery.See reverse Jencks material under JENCKS MATERIAL. [Blacks Law 8th]