DOCUMENT

document,n.1. Something tangible on which words, symbols, or marks are recorded. See Fed.

R.  Civ.  P.  34(a).  2.  (pl.)  The  deeds,  agreements,  title  papers,  letters,  receipts,  and  other  written

instruments used to prove a fact.

ancient document.Evidence. A document that is presumed to be authentic because its physical

condition  strongly  suggests  authenticity,  it  has  existed  for  20  or  more  years,  and  it  has  been

maintained  in  proper  custody  (as by  coming  from  a  place  where it is reasonably  expected  to  be

found).Fed.  R.  Evid.  901(b)(8).  —  Also  termed  ancient  writing.  [Cases:  Evidence    372.  C.J.S.

Evidence §§ 1010–1012, 1014–1015.]

document of authority.See governing document.

foreign  document.A  document  that  originated  in,  or  was  prepared  or  executed  in,  a  foreign

state or country.

governing document.Parliamentary law. A document that defines or organizes an organization,

or  grants  or  establishes  its  authority  and  governance.  •  An  organization’s  governing  documents

may include a charter, articles of incorporation or association, a constitution, bylaws, and rules. A

charter  or  articles  of  incorporation  or  association,  if  they  have  been  granted  or  adopted,  are  an

organization’s  most authoritative governing  document, followed by the constitution, bylaws, and

rules, in that order. — Also termed document of authority. See CHARTER(4), (5); ARTICLES OF

INCORPORATION;  ARTICLES  OF  ASSOCIATION(2);  CONSTITUTION(4);  BYLAW(1);

SUBORDINATION(2).

hot document.A document that directly supports a litigant’s allegation.

public  document.A  document  of  public  interest  issued  or  published  by  a  political  body  or

otherwise  connected  with  public  business.  Cf.  public  record  under  RECORD.  [Cases:  Evidence

325–337. C.J.S. Evidence §§ 813, 834–838, 840–869, 923–924, 1024.]

3.Evidence.  Under  the  best-evidence  rule,  a  physical  embodiment  of  information  or  ideas,

such as a letter, contract, receipt, account book, blueprint, or X-ray plate; esp., the original of such

an embodiment. See Fed. R. Evid. 1001 et seq. [Cases: Criminal Law    400; Evidence    157–187.

C.J.S. Criminal Law § 837; Evidence §§ 1054–1131.]

document,vb.1.  To  support  with  records,  instruments,  or  other  evidentiary  authorities

<document the chain of custody>.2. To record; to create a written record of <document a file>. [Blacks Law 8th]