This phrase describes a standard applied in legal discovery. It allows parties in a lawsuit to seek information from each other, even if that information wouldn’t be directly presented as evidence at trial. The crucial element is the potential for the requested material to uncover something that would be considered valid and relevant proof. For instance, a request for internal company emails about a particular project might be allowed, even if most of those emails are ultimately irrelevant, because some could reveal details about negligent actions that are admissible in court.
The standard promotes broad access to potentially relevant information during the discovery phase. This broad scope ensures that all possible avenues of evidence are explored, preventing parties from withholding crucial facts. Historically, this approach has evolved to prevent “trial by ambush,” where one party is surprised by evidence they had no opportunity to investigate beforehand. This wider scope can streamline the litigation process by facilitating settlements based on a more complete understanding of the facts.
