Legal Definitions - interrogatory

An interrogatory is a formal set of written questions that one party in a civil lawsuit sends to another party during the "discovery" phase of the legal process. The purpose of discovery is to allow both sides to gather information and evidence relevant to the case before it goes to trial. The party receiving the interrogatories is legally required to answer each question truthfully, in writing, and under oath. While the answers must be truthful, attorneys often assist their clients in crafting precise responses, which can make interrogatory answers more carefully worded than spontaneous verbal testimony.

Here are some examples of how interrogatories are used:

• Scenario 1: Car Accident Lawsuit

  Imagine a situation where Sarah is suing David for damages after a car accident. Sarah's attorney might send David a set of interrogatories. These questions could ask David to describe, in detail, his actions immediately before and during the accident, whether he was using a mobile phone, what he saw, and if he has any medical conditions that might have affected his driving. David would then have to provide written, sworn answers to these questions, which Sarah's legal team could use to understand his version of events and prepare for trial.

• Scenario 2: Breach of Contract Dispute

  Consider a small business, "Green Gardens Inc.," suing a supplier, "Mega Seeds Corp.," for failing to deliver a large order of specialized seeds as per their contract, causing Green Gardens significant financial loss. Green Gardens' attorney could send interrogatories to Mega Seeds. These questions might ask Mega Seeds to explain why the delivery was delayed or canceled, what steps they took to fulfill the order, who was responsible for the decision not to ship, and what internal communications exist regarding the contract. Mega Seeds' sworn answers would help Green Gardens understand the supplier's defense and gather evidence for their claim.

• Scenario 3: Employment Discrimination Case

  Suppose an employee, Maria, files a lawsuit against her former employer, "Tech Solutions," alleging wrongful termination due to age discrimination. Tech Solutions' legal team might send interrogatories to Maria. These questions could ask Maria to detail specific instances of alleged discrimination, identify any witnesses to these events, describe her job performance leading up to her termination, and provide a comprehensive list of the damages she is claiming. Maria's sworn responses would help Tech Solutions understand the specifics of her allegations and build their defense.