Which topic is appropriate for interrogatories?

Which topic is appropriate for interrogatories?

• A. Identity of parties, documents, positions on issues, and sequence of events
• B. Hearsay statements offered for truth
• C. Opinions of non-testifying experts
• D. Settlement negotiations

Answer: (A)

Interrogatories are a discovery tool that lets a party obtain factual information from the other side in written form, answered under oath. The topic that fits best is identifying who is involved, what documents exist, what each side’s position is on disputed issues, and the sequence of events. This information is exactly the kind of factual material interrogatories are designed to uncover and can be answered with concrete details without venturing into the admissibility or interpretation of out-of-court statements. Hearsay statements offered for truth aren’t the kind of information interrogatories are meant to seek, since they concern how evidence would be received at trial rather than basic factual background. Opinions of non-testifying experts are generally not discoverable through standard interrogatories—while you can identify experts or the subjects they would address, you typically don’t obtain their actual opinion content this way. Settlement negotiations are protected by privilege and cannot be compelled through interrogatories.

Interrogatories are a discovery tool that lets a party obtain factual information from the other side in written form, answered under oath. The topic that fits best is identifying who is involved, what documents exist, what each side’s position is on disputed issues, and the sequence of events. This information is exactly the kind of factual material interrogatories are designed to uncover and can be answered with concrete details without venturing into the admissibility or interpretation of out-of-court statements.

Hearsay statements offered for truth aren’t the kind of information interrogatories are meant to seek, since they concern how evidence would be received at trial rather than basic factual background. Opinions of non-testifying experts are generally not discoverable through standard interrogatories—while you can identify experts or the subjects they would address, you typically don’t obtain their actual opinion content this way. Settlement negotiations are protected by privilege and cannot be compelled through interrogatories.