All Discovery

• Author: Michael H. Barr/Burton N. Lipshie/Sharon Stern Gerstman
• Pages: 749-780

Chapter 24

aLL disCovery

QUICK VIEW

Scope of Chapter: Purpose and goals of disclosure. Governing law. Scope. Strategies. Discovery plans.

Discovery sequence. Deadlines. Commencement and supervision of disclosure. Stipulations. Amending and

supplementing responses.

Strategies and Tactics: Any matter that is material and necessary is open to disclosure. The realistic restrictions

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

require protection. Plan discovery with a formal, written discovery plan. This 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: CPLR 3101 through 3140.

Related Topics: Motion Practice, Ch 16; Privileges, Ch 25; Document Requests, Ch 26; Depositions, Ch 27;

Physical and Mental Exams, Ch 28; Bills of Particulars and Interrogatories, Ch 29; Notices to Admit, Ch 30;

Discovery Disputes, Ch 31.

Forms: See digital access for the following forms:

• Form 24:10, Sample Discovery Plan.

• Form 24:20, Demand for Collateral Source Information.

• Form 24:30, Demand for Expert Witness Information.

• Form 24:40, Demand for Medical Discovery.

• Form 24:50, Combined Discovery Demands.

• Form 24:60, Stipulation and Order for the Production and Exchange of Confidential Information, with

Accompanying Agreement to Respect Confidential Material.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Purpose, Goals, and Governing Law

§24:01 Purpose

§24:02 Goals of Disclosure

§24:03 Drawbacks

§24:04 Governing Law

New York Civil PraCtiCe Before trial 24-2

II. Scope of Disclosure

A. Basic Points

§24:10 Material and Necessary

§24:11 Need Not Be Admissible as Evidence

§24:12 Burden of Proof Immaterial

§24:13 Necessity

§24:14 Parties

§24:15 Disclosure by the State

B. Matters Discoverable

§24:20 Documents, Things, and Land

§24:21 Statements

§24:22 Insurance

§24:23 Accident Reports

§24:24 Audio-Visual Materials

§24:25 Evidence Supporting Contentions

§24:26 Witness Identities

§24:27 Mental or Physical Condition

§24:28 Immigration Status

§24:29 HIPAA and Ex Parte Interviews With Treating Physicians

C. Matters Usually Outside Scope

1. PRIVILEGED MATTER

§24:40 Usually Not Discoverable

§24:41 Specific Privileges

§24:42 Waiver of Physician/Patient Privilege

§24:43 Application of Governmental Privilege

2. ATTORNEY WORK PRODUCT

§24:50 Not Discoverable

§24:51 Distinct from Trial Preparation

3. OTHER MATTERS

§24:60 Trade Secrets

§24:61 Tax Returns

§24:62 Settlement Information

D. Special Scope Rules

1. TRIAL PREPARATION

a. Expert Witnesses

§24:70 Generally

§24:71 Further Disclosure

§24:72 Medical, Dental or Podiatric Malpractice Cases

b. Materials

§24:80 Conditional Immunity

§24:81 Statements

§24:82 Accident Reports

§24:83 Photographs of Scene

§24:84 Surveillance Materials

24-3 all disCoverY

2. TYPE OF PROCEEDING

§24:90 Medical or Quality Assurance Reviews

§24:91 Special Proceedings

§24:92 Matrimonial Cases

§24:93 Accountings

3. NON-PARTY WITNESSES

§24:100 Required Statement of Circumstances or Reasons

§24:101 Witness Unavailable at Trial

§24:102 Child Protective Proceedings

III. Planning

A. Planning Strategies

1. BASIC POINTS

§24:110 Why Plan?

§24:111 Basic Elements of the Disclosure Plan

§24:112 Anticipate Delays

§24:113 Plan to Stipulate

§24:114 Involve Your Client

§24:115 Put the Plan in Writing

§24:116 Caution: Preserve Evidence

2. ESTABLISH GOALS

§24:130 General Goals

§24:131 Initial Steps

§24:132 Weigh Discovery Costs

§24:133 Focus on Legal Elements

§24:134 “Plan” Opponent’s Case

§24:135 Get Help

3. WHAT DISCOVERY DEVICES TO USE

§24:140 Basic Factors

§24:141 Consider Each Device

§24:142 Depositions

§24:143 Interrogatories

§24:144 Document Requests

§24:145 Physical and Mental Exams

§24:146 Notices to Admit

B. Sequence of Discovery

§24:160 No Fixed Priority or Sequence

§24:161 What to Do, and When

§24:162 First Conduct Informal Investigation

§24:163 Find the Documents

§24:164 Set a Deposition Schedule

§24:165 Example: A Practical Sequence

§24:166 Timing Problems