Request for Production

A request for production is a formal document listing tangible items that the other side must produce. Like written interrogatories, requests for production are governed by specific rules relating to their form, the deadline for producing the item, the limit on items to be produced and the types of items that must be produced.

Typically, a party is asked to produce any documents, reports, medical records, contracts, deeds and correspondence relating to the lawsuit. At times, an item must be produced, such as the vehicle involved in a car wreck case.

TIP: "Producing" records does not necessarily mean copying and delivering boxes of documents to the other side. It is permissible to make the documents available. For example, if the other party wants to go through years of warehouse invoices, the company can make the warehouse open and the documents available on-site.

TIP: The party making the request pays the copying expenses.

Sidebar: Many documents are "privileged," such as correspondence between the lawyer and the client even though it relates to the case. Privileged documents do not have to be produced.