Towards More Efficient and Cost-effective Discovery

Towards More Efficient and Cost-effective Discovery

Crystal O’Donnell Chief Executive Officer and Senior Counsel   November 3, 2021     Discovery is typically the most time-consuming and expensive aspect of any legal dispute.  This article provides some practical guidance and key tips for minimizing risk and cost for enterprises involved in disputes or regulatory matters that require the production of electronically stored information (ESI).   The most effective way to minimize eDiscovery cost and risk is to start with good document management and retention policies.  While document management and retention are substantive and complex areas, there are a couple things that do not require software or

eDiscovery Issues: Spoliation and Intent

eDiscovery Issues: Spoliation and Intent

Harry Chang Associate   October 28, 2021   In a recent US decision, Cretacci v. Hare, No.: 4:19-CV-55-SKL (E.D. Tenn. Jan. 20, 2021), the court found that the plaintiffs failed to prove that the defendants intentionally deprived them of the video evidence of an alleged assault as required under Rule 37 of the United States Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.  The defendants had received a written request to preserve the video evidence from the plaintiff’s counsel within 30 days of an alleged assault but took no reasonable measures to preserve the requested video, and the video was later deleted.  

Cost-Effective Document Disclosure in Construction Arbitration

Cost-Effective Document Disclosure in Construction Arbitration

Martin Felsky Senior Counsel   October 22, 2021   There are four rules-based approaches to document disclosure in legal disputes. From broadest to narrowest they are:   Relevant:  Each party discloses all documents relevant to the issues in dispute. Responsive:  Each party discloses documents responsive to requests by the other party. Material:  Each party discloses only those documents that could have an impact on the outcome of the dispute. Reliance:  Each party discloses only those documents upon which it intends to rely. Each of these approaches is often supplemented by two underlying principles: first, a party can always be ordered

Discovery in the Yukon

Discovery in the Yukon

Vladyslav (Vlad) Strashko Associate   October 20, 2021   A recent decision, Chance Oil and Gas Limited v Yukon (Energy, Mines and Resources), 2021 YKSC 44 (CanLII) , provides a good window into the discovery process in the Yukon.   In this case, both sides filed applications to compel each other to meet their document discovery obligations. The plaintiff claimed that the defendant grossly under-produced by listing only 445 documents in its affidavit of documents. The defendant alleged that the plaintiff, in contrast, overproduced by listing over 34,000 documents, some of which were not relevant.   First, the court pointed

eDiscovery Preparedness – Technology Options

eDiscovery Preparedness – Technology Options

Crystal O’Donnell Chief Executive Officer and Senior Counsel   October 13, 2021   Proactive management of electronic information is one of the best ways to minimize costs and risks associated with eDiscovery.  This includes enterprises making decisions on the appropriate approach to managing eDiscovery based on needs, volume and resources available.   Over the last few years, the options available to enterprises to manage eDiscovery needs have changed considerably.  The choices of available technology have increased, the functionality available has improved (and continues to improve), and the options for purchasing the technology have also changed.   While there is a