Legal Definitions - request for production

A Request for Production (often abbreviated as RFP) is a formal written demand made by one party in a lawsuit to another party, asking them to provide specific documents, electronic files, or physical items for review and copying. This process occurs during the "discovery" phase of a lawsuit, which is the period before trial when parties gather information and evidence from each other.

• Example 1: Personal Injury Lawsuit

  Imagine a person suing a construction company after being injured by falling debris at a work site. The injured person's attorney might issue a Request for Production asking the construction company to provide:

  • Safety inspection reports for the site from the past year.
  • Maintenance logs for the equipment involved in the incident.
  • Training records for the employees working on that specific project.
  • Any internal incident reports or communications related to the event.

  This request allows the injured person to examine these documents to understand the company's safety practices and identify potential negligence, illustrating how specific documents are sought for inspection and copying during the discovery phase.

• Example 2: Business Contract Dispute

  Consider a software development company suing a client for unpaid invoices, claiming the client breached their service agreement. The client's legal team might send a Request for Production to the software company asking for:

  • All email correspondence between the two companies regarding the project's progress and any issues.
  • Detailed time sheets and billing records for the work performed.
  • Project management documentation, such as task lists or bug reports.
  • Copies of any internal communications discussing the client's complaints or the project's delays.

  By requesting these items, the client aims to find evidence that the software company failed to meet its obligations, demonstrating the use of an RFP to obtain electronic and physical records relevant to a contractual disagreement.

• Example 3: Employment Discrimination Case

  Suppose an employee files a lawsuit against their former employer, alleging wrongful termination due to age discrimination. The employee's attorney could issue a Request for Production seeking:

  • The employer's internal policies on termination and age discrimination.
  • Performance reviews and disciplinary records for the employee over their tenure.
  • Hiring and termination records for other employees in similar roles over a specific period, especially those younger than the plaintiff.
  • Emails or memos discussing the employee's performance or termination.

  This allows the employee to gather evidence to support their claim of discrimination by comparing their treatment to company policies and other employees, clearly showing how an RFP is used to compel the production of specific documents and data for analysis.