What is a relevant document?
Relevance is determined by the disputed issues. A document includes email, messages, recordings, digital files, photographs, reports, and information under a party's control.
Documents that do not assist the party's account
Disclosure is not limited to favorable material. A relevant document may support, undermine, or lead to other evidence. Privilege or protection should be asserted through the proper procedure.
Inspection and supplementation
After disclosure, documents may be inspected and copied appropriately. If a defined category is missing, a focused demand should explain its relationship to the dispute.
Preserving digital material
Prevent automatic deletion, preserve originals and creation information, and do not rely on edited versions. Deletion after a dispute arises may create evidentiary consequences.
Concluding point
Effective disclosure begins with a clear dispute map: every document should relate to an allegation, defense, or loss requiring proof.
Principal legal sources
- Civil Procedure Regulations, 5779-2018.
- Evidence Ordinance [New Version], 5731-1971.