ESI DISCOVERY AND SPOLIATION OF EVIDENCE: THE AMENDED RULES AND THEIR IMPACT ON DISCOVERY AND TRIAL CLASS ACTION AND MULTI-DISTRICT LITIGATION SECTION and TRIAL TACTICS, PRACTICES, PROCEDURE SECTION Christopher P. DePhillips Gibbons PC Newark, NJ Gray T. Culbreath Gallivan, White & Boyd,PA Columbia, SC
I.
Proportionality a. What is proportionality? --colloquial definition --legal definition b.
History of Proportionality in the Federal Rules --1983 amendments --1990 amendments --2000 amendments --2015 amendments
c. Rule 26(b)( l ) under the 2015 Amendment --Intent of new mle --Relevance and proportionality on the same level --Making proportionality an express component of scope of discovery --Prop01iionality as a limit on discovery --Discovery must be proportional to the needs of the case --Old Factors removed from 26(b)(!) --Cost/Benefit analysis under 26(b)(!) pursuant to 6 new factors d.
Assessing the requested discovery pursuant to the 6 new factors under 26(b)( 1) --The importance of the issues at stake in the case --The amount in controversy
--The parties' relative access to relevant information --The parties' resources --The importance of the discovery in resolving the issues --Whether the burden or expense of the proposed discovery outweighs its likely benefit
IL
e.
Court decisions interpreting 26(b)(l ) since December !, 2015
f.
Impact of 26(b)( I ), if any, on state courts
Cost Allocation
a. Intent of Rule 26(c)--protective orders b. Protecting parties from "undue burden or expense" under 26(c) c. Interplay between 26(c) and Factor 6 under 26(b)(l ) d. New language under 26(c)--allowing "allocation of expenses" to h'Uard against "undue burden" e. Cost-shifting and Cost-sharing under 26(c) f. Outlook for Cost-shifting and Cost-sharing in the federal courts g. Court decisions interpreting 26(c) since December I , 2015 h. Impact of 26(c), if any, on state courts