Legal Definitions - form interrogatories

Form interrogatories are a type of standardized written question used in civil lawsuits during the "discovery" phase, which is when parties exchange information relevant to the case.

Unlike custom-drafted questions that are specifically tailored to the unique details of a particular dispute, form interrogatories are pre-approved sets of questions. They are designed to gather basic, common information that typically arises in specific categories of legal disputes, such as landlord-tenant disagreements, motor vehicle accidents, or product liability claims. Many court systems provide or even require the use of these standardized questions to streamline the discovery process and ensure that fundamental information is exchanged efficiently.

• Example 1: Landlord-Tenant Dispute

  Imagine a tenant sues their landlord, alleging that the landlord failed to address persistent plumbing issues in their apartment. Instead of the tenant's lawyer having to draft every question from scratch, the court might offer a set of pre-approved form interrogatories for landlord-tenant cases. These questions would ask about standard information like the terms of the lease agreement, dates when maintenance requests were made, and the landlord's general response to complaints.

  How it illustrates the term: These questions are not specifically crafted for the unique details of *this particular* plumbing problem (e.g., the specific pipe that burst or the exact type of mold). Instead, they are general inquiries applicable to *any* lawsuit involving a tenant's complaint about property maintenance, making them "form" interrogatories.

• Example 2: Minor Car Accident

  Consider a situation where two drivers are involved in a minor fender-bender, and one driver sues the other for vehicle damage and minor whiplash. The court system might provide a standard set of form interrogatories specifically for motor vehicle accident cases. These questions would typically ask about the date and time of the accident, insurance policy details, names of any witnesses, and a general description of initial medical treatment sought.

  How it illustrates the term: These questions are designed to gather routine factual information common to *any* car accident lawsuit. They are not custom-written to delve into the specific angle of impact in this particular collision or the unique medical history of the injured driver, but rather cover the standard facts expected in such litigation.

• Example 3: Small Business Debt Collection

  Suppose a small graphic design firm sues a client for unpaid invoices for services rendered. In this type of commercial dispute, the court might have form interrogatories available for debt collection or breach of contract cases. These questions would typically inquire about the existence of a contract, the dates and amounts of invoices issued, any payments received, and the client's reasons for non-payment.

  How it illustrates the term: The questions are standardized to address common elements of *any* debt collection or contract dispute. They are not uniquely tailored to the specific design project, the particular client relationship, or the exact services provided by this graphic design firm, but rather cover general information relevant to proving a debt.