Civil Procedure
Request for Production
RFPA discovery request seeking documents, electronically stored information, tangible things, or inspection access.
Governing rule: Fed. R. Civ. P. 34
Plain-English definition
A request for production is how parties obtain emails, contracts, photos, databases, policies, text messages, spreadsheets, source files, and other evidence. The responding party must produce responsive nonprivileged material or state specific objections.
How it works
Responses usually state whether documents will be produced, withheld, or objected to. Electronic discovery disputes often focus on search terms, custodians, formats, and proportionality.
Why it matters
Document discovery is where many civil cases are won. The paper trail often matters more than witness memory.
Related terms
More in Civil Procedure
Amended Complaint
A revised complaint that changes, adds, or clarifies allegations, parties, or claims after the original complaint was filed.
Answer
The defendant's formal written response to the plaintiff's complaint, admitting or denying each allegation.
Class Certification
The judicial decision to allow a lawsuit to proceed as a class action on behalf of similarly-situated plaintiffs.
Collateral Estoppel
Also called issue preclusion. The doctrine that prevents re-litigating a specific issue that was actually decided in a prior case.
Complaint
The initial pleading filed by the plaintiff that starts a civil lawsuit.
Consolidation
Combining related cases for coordinated management, discovery, hearings, or trial.
Counterclaim
A claim brought by a defendant against the plaintiff within the same lawsuit.
Crossclaim
A claim by one party against a co-party, such as one defendant suing another defendant in the same case.
Not legal advice. Definitions are for general reference. Consult an attorney before relying on any term in a real case.