Interrogatories are written questions in the form of formal requests for information. The party that is sent these interrogatories is then legally required to respond to the questions. In litigation matters, interrogatories are used as formal discovery methods to obtain relevant information from the other party which could be useful in the case. For businesses, these interrogatories can help protect them by uncovering information from the other party, such as before they file their own lawsuit or as part of an existing litigation matter.
What Is the Purpose of Interrogatories?
The primary purpose of sending interrogatories is to obtain information and disclose facts that would not be known to the party requesting the interrogatories without significant or costly investigative steps. This is information that can be used to determine the strength of a case, potential damage, as well as the other party’s defense. A party can also use interrogatories to obtain the necessary facts to provide the other party with “notice” of the issues in dispute, so that the other party cannot attempt to dodge responsibility for any of these issues later.
How Interrogatories Are Used in Business Lawsuits
Interrogatories can be served as part of a lawsuit to obtain answers from the other party, including contact information, financial status, identity of potential witnesses and other supporting evidence to help a party prove their case. For example, it may be in the best interest of a business to require the other party to provide accounting records, contracts that are in dispute, as well as information regarding any agreements made between the parties. Answers to interrogatories must be provided under oath so that the responding party is held accountable if they choose to provide incomplete or false information.
Conclusion
In conclusion, interrogatories are an important tool that businesses can use to advance their legal rights and help them to win their cases. By asking the other party the right questions, a business can prepare more effectively and use this information to support their case. When used strategically, interrogatories can be a powerful weapon that can help your business protect its legal rights, and serve as an important part of the litigation process.