Discovery Process to Get Evidence From Other Side Category: Courts and Procedure

Overview

Discovery is the formal process parties use to a case gather information and evidence from each other in preparation for trial. Parties are entitled to demand information “reasonably calculated to lead to admissible evidence.”

Discovery procedures take place outside of court and the paperwork is only filed if the parties cannot resolve disputes between themselves.

Discovery Videos for Self-Helpers

SH@LL and the Law Library have produced a series of videos for people representing themselves in California civil cases.

This series of videos will help you understand what discovery is, how to answer questions you received by mail, and how you can use discovery yourself. Download the Sample Discovery Handout before watching the videos.

Watch our video playlist on YouTube:

Discovery: Gather Information for Your Case

Discovery is a formal legal process through which parties to a case gather information and evidence from each other. This can be the most important step in a case because it allows the parties to obtain the information and evidence needed to present their arguments; to determine what evidence the...

Courts and Procedure

Civil Self-Help Services (SHS) helps people without lawyers who have questions about simple issues related to a civil case. They can give you general information and help you prepare your own forms in the area of civil law. Common topics include civil harassment restraining orders, petitions for change of name/gender, and expungement of criminal convictions.

813, 6th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

916-874-1421

civilselfhelp@saccourt.ca.gov

https://saccourt.ca.gov

Discovery: Business Records Subpoena

Parties in a lawsuit can use a “business records subpoena” to obtain records and information from non-party witnesses* such as banks, employers, or police departments. (Cal. Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) § 2020.410.) The procedure requires several steps and takes a month or more, so start early. * If you...

Discovery: Depositions

Related Discovery Guides Step-by-Step Guides on Responding to Discovery Responding to Interrogatories Responding to Requests for Admissions Responding to Requests for Production Step-by-Step Guides on Making Discovery Requests Form Interrogatories Request for Production of Documents and Things Requests for Admission Special Interrogatories Other Guides on Discovery Exchange of Expert Witness...

Discovery: Exchange of Expert Witness Information

Background After a trial date is set, any party may demand the simultaneous exchange of information about the expert witnesses all other parties intend to have testify at trial. California Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) § 2034.210(b) defines “experts” as parties, employees of a party, or witnesses who have been...

Discovery: Form Interrogatories

Interrogatories are written questions sent by one party to another, which the responding party must answer under penalty of perjury. Interrogatories allow the parties to ask who, what, when, where and why questions, making them a good method for obtaining new information in a case. There are two types of interrogatories: form interrogatories...

Discovery: Requests for Admission

Requests for admission are used to ask another party to admit that certain facts are true, or that certain documents are authentic. If admitted as true or authentic, these facts and documents do not need to be proven or authenticated at trial. This helps narrow the scope of controversy in...

Discovery: Request for Production of Documents and Things

Obtain Documents and Things from the Other Party Requests for production may be used to inspect and copy documents or tangible items held by the other party. Generally, a request for production asks the responding party to make available the original documents, but a requesting party may permit photocopies of...

Discovery: Responding to Requests for Admissions

Discovery: Responding to Interrogatories

Interrogatories are written questions sent by one party to another, which the responding party must answer under penalty of perjury. Interrogatories allow the parties to ask who, what, when, where and why questions, making them a good method for obtaining new information. You may also need… Step-by-Step Guides on Responding...

Discovery: Responding to Requests for Production or Inspection

Requests for production may be used to inspect and copy documents or tangible items held by another party. Although these requests are most commonly used to obtain copies of documents, they can also be used to test, measure, photograph, etc., any type of physical evidence in the other party’s possession...

Discovery: Special Interrogatories

Interrogatories are written questions sent by one party in a lawsuit to another party in that same suit, which the responding party must answer under penalty of perjury. Interrogatories allow the parties to ask who, what, when, where and why questions, making them a good method for obtaining new information....

Motion to Compel Discovery Responses

Sometimes, as you conduct discovery in your civil case, the opposing side fails to respond to your formal discovery requests. If the opposing side does not respond to your form interrogatories, special interrogatories, or request for production, you may file a motion seeking an order compelling the opposing party to...

Motion to Deem Facts Admitted

During discovery, each party may serve one or more sets of Requests for Admissions, asking the opposing side to admit that that one or more facts are true or one or more documents are genuine. If a party admits a fact, or admits that a document is genuine, that fact,...

Relief from Admissions

During discovery, each party may serve one or more sets of requests for admissions, asking the opposing side to admit that one or more facts are true or one or more documents are genuine. If a party admits a fact, or admits that a document is genuine, that fact, or...

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