Archives: Glossary

The pretrial process in which parties obtain information and evidence from each other and from nonparties.

Basic information each party must provide early in a federal case without waiting for a discovery request.

A written question served on another party that must be answered in writing under oath.

A discovery request asking another party to produce documents, electronically stored information or tangible things.

A discovery request asking another party to admit the truth of a specific matter.

Out-of-court testimony given under oath and recorded, usually in question-and-answer form.

The person whose deposition is being taken.

The party responding to a motion.

Formally delivering the summons and complaint to a defendant in a way the rules allow.

A court-issued document that notifies a defendant of a lawsuit and the time to respond. It is served with the complaint.