LawMeaning

Discovery

From the Latin From Latin 'discooperire,' meaning to uncover or reveal..

In one sentence

The legal process where parties exchange information and evidence before trial.

Plain English

Discovery is the phase of a lawsuit where both sides are required to share documents, evidence, and information relevant to the case. This includes emails, contracts, witness statements, expert reports, and anything else that might matter. The idea is to prevent surprise at trial and help both sides understand the strength of the other's case, which often encourages settlement. Discovery can happen through written requests for documents, written questions (interrogatories), depositions (questioning witnesses under oath), and requests for admissions (asking the other side to confirm facts).

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Example

In a car accident lawsuit, the plaintiff's lawyer sends a discovery request asking the defendant's insurance company for all photos of the accident scene, the defendant's statement, and any prior accident reports. The defendant must provide these documents or explain why they can't.

Used in a sentence

“During discovery, the defendant was required to produce all emails related to the contract dispute.”

Related terms

complaint for divorce
A formal legal document filed to start a divorce case in family court.
adjudication hearing
A court proceeding where a judge hears evidence and makes a formal decision about a legal matter.
judgment
The court's final decision in a criminal case, determining guilt or innocence and imposing sentence.
Amendment
A formal, written change to a contract or legal document.
Subpoena
A court order requiring someone to testify in court or produce documents or evidence.
Deposition
A formal out-of-court questioning of a witness or party under oath, with a transcript recorded.
Class Action
A lawsuit where one person or group sues on behalf of many people with similar claims.

This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney.