Legal Definitions - disclosure

Definition: Disclosure is a legal requirement for parties involved in a federal court case to share important information with each other. This information includes evidence that would be used during the trial. Disclosure happens in three stages.

• At the beginning of the case, each party must share basic information about witnesses, copies of documents supporting their claims, and information about any insurance agreements that might cover part or all of a judgment against them.
• Later in the pre-trial process, each party must share the identity and qualifications of their expert witnesses, along with a summary of their reasoning and conclusions regarding the case.
• Finally, shortly before the trial, each party must disclose what evidence they plan to use at trial.

These examples illustrate how disclosure works in a federal court case. It ensures that both parties have access to important information and evidence, which helps to ensure a fair trial.