Document requests should ask for documents related to a specific transaction, occurrence, or event.

Document requests should ask for documents related to a specific transaction, occurrence, or event.

• A. Should ask for documents unrelated to any event.
• B. Should ask for documents related to a specific transaction, occurrence, or event.
• C. Should include request for documents identified in interrogatory responses.
• D. Should avoid requests for compilations.

Answer: (B)

In discovery, document requests are most effective when they target materials tied to a specific matter—an identifiable transaction, occurrence, or event. This focus makes the requests relevant to the issues in dispute and helps manage burden, making it easier for the responding party to locate and produce documents that could be admissible at trial. Asking for documents connected to a concrete transaction or event ensures the search is purposeful rather than speculative or limitless. Choosing this approach over requesting documents unrelated to any event keeps the discovery focused on issues that matter in the case. While it can be appropriate to request documents identified in interrogatory responses in some contexts, that broader rule isn’t the basic principle guiding how document requests should be framed. And while compilations can be requested in some circumstances, the core idea is maintaining relevance to a specific matter rather than broad or vague collections.

In discovery, document requests are most effective when they target materials tied to a specific matter—an identifiable transaction, occurrence, or event. This focus makes the requests relevant to the issues in dispute and helps manage burden, making it easier for the responding party to locate and produce documents that could be admissible at trial. Asking for documents connected to a concrete transaction or event ensures the search is purposeful rather than speculative or limitless.

Choosing this approach over requesting documents unrelated to any event keeps the discovery focused on issues that matter in the case. While it can be appropriate to request documents identified in interrogatory responses in some contexts, that broader rule isn’t the basic principle guiding how document requests should be framed. And while compilations can be requested in some circumstances, the core idea is maintaining relevance to a specific matter rather than broad or vague collections.