Inspection of documents

In many jurisdictions, parties who wish to inspect documents must deliver a formal request for inspection to the parties that possess those documents.^[7] These requests usually must describe the documents that would be inspected.^[8] Once the request has been delivered to the party in possession of the documents, that party generally must allow for inspection or respond with objections within a specified period of time.^[9] Some jurisdictions allow parties in the case to inspect documents that are in the possession of individuals or organizations that are not a party in the case.^[10] In general, courts have discretion to compel parties to disclose documents, and courts may also limit a party's right to access or inspect documents.^[11] In England, for example, when determining whether a party should be allowed to inspect documents, courts balance the party's need for that evidence against any public interests that would be protected by denying the request for inspection.^[12] Courts may also impose sanctions on parties that do not comply with requests for inspection.^[13]

• Interrogatories
• Request for admissions
• Subpoena duces tecum