All Discovery

• Author: Jennifer Duncan-Brice
• Pages: 831-874

20-1 (Rev. 12, 9/16)

Chapter 20

ALL DISCOVERY

QUICK VIEW

Scope of Chapter: Purpose and goals of discovery; governing law; scope; strategies; discovery plans;

discovery sequence; deadlines; commencement and supervision of discovery; stipulations; amending and

supplementing responses.

Strategy and Tactics:

Scope of discovery: Any matter that is material and relevant is open to discovery. The realistic restrictions

on discovery are for privileged communications, material prepared for litigation, and for special matters that

require protection.

Planning discovery: A formal, written, discovery plan provides a map with which to gauge whether you are

achieving your discovery goals, and are doing so within the applicable deadlines.

Statutes and Rules: SCR 201-224.

Related Topics: Discovery Disputes, Ch 27; Interrogatories, Ch 25; Production of Documents and Other

Things, Ch 22; Requests for Admission, Ch 26; Physical and Mental Exams, Ch 24; Depositions, Ch 23;

Motion Practice, Ch 14; Privileges, Ch 21.

Forms: See digital access for the following forms:

• Form 20:10, Sample Discovery Plan.

• Form 20:20, Stipulation to Extend Discovery.

• Form 20:30, Stipulated Protective Order.

• Form 20:40, Acknowledgment of Stipulated Protective Order.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Nature and Purpose of Discovery

§20:01 Purpose

§20:02 Goals

§20:03 Drawbacks

§20:04 Governing Law

ILLINO IS PRE TRIAL PRACTICE 20-2

II. Scope of Discovery

A. Basic Points

§20:10 Relevant to Subject Matter of Case

§20:11 When Matter Is Not Discoverable

§20:12 Need Not Be Admissible

§20:13 Burden of Proof Immaterial

§20:14 Parties

§20:15 Overly Broad Requests

B. Discoverable Matters

§20:20 Documents, Things, and Land

§20:21 Computer Files

§20:22 Statements

§20:23 Privilege and Work Product

§20:24 Insurance

§20:25 Accident Reports

§20:26 Audio-Visual Materials

§20:27 Evidence Supporting Contentions

§20:28 Witness Identities

§20:29 Autopsy

§20:30 Witness Statements

C. Matters Outside Scope

1. PRIVILEGED MATTER

§20:40 Usually Not Discoverable

§20:41 Specific Privileges

§20:42 Waiver of Physician or Patient Privilege

§20:43 Governmental Privilege

2. ATTORNEY WORK PRODUCT

§20:50 Not Discoverable

§20:51 Case Examples

3. OTHER MATTERS

§20:60 Trade Secrets

§20:61 Tax Returns

D. Special Scope Rules

1. TRIAL PREPARATION

a. Expert Witnesses

§20:70 Disclosure

§20:71 Further Discovery

§20:72 Treating Physicians and Medical Providers

b. Materials

§20:80 Conditional Immunity

§20:81 Statement to Insurer

§20:82 Accident Reports

§20:83 Photographs of Scene

20-3 ALL DI SCOVERY

(Rev. 12, 9/16)

§20:84 Surveillance Photographs

§20:85 Videotapes

§20:86 Public Access Counselors

2. TYPE OF PROCEEDING

§20:90 Medical or Quality Assurance Reviews

§20:91 Limited and Simplified Discovery in Certain Cases

3. NON-PARTY WITNESSES

§20:100 Subpoena Required

§20:101 Compelling Non-Party Discovery

III. Planning

A. Planning Strategies

1. BASIC POINTS

§20:110 Why Plan?

§20:111 Basic Elements of the Discovery Plan

§20:112 Anticipate Delays

§20:113 Plan to Stipulate

§20:114 Involve Your Client

§20:115 Put the Plan in Writing

§20:116 Caution: Preserve Evidence

2. ESTABLISH GOALS

§20:130 General Goals

§20:131 Initial Steps

§20:132 Weigh Discovery Costs

§20:133 Focus on Legal Elements

§20:134 “Plan” Opponent’s Case

§20:135 Get Help

3. CHOOSING APPROPRIATE DISCOVERY DEVICES

§20:140 Basic Factors

§20:141 Consider Each Device

§20:142 Depositions

§20:143 Interrogatories

§20:144 Document Requests

§20:145 Physical and Mental Exams

§20:146 Notices to Admit

B. Sequence of Discovery

§20:160 No Fixed Priority or Sequence

§20:161 What To Do, and When

§20:162 First Conduct Informal Investigation

§20:163 Find the Documents

§20:164 Set a Deposition Schedule

§20:165 Example: A Practical Sequence

§20:166 Timing Problems