When it's used
During the written discovery phase, often served concurrently with interrogatories to obtain supporting evidence.
Definition
Requests for Production of Documents are formal written demands served on an opposing party requiring that party to produce, inspect, copy, or permit testing of documents, electronically stored information (ESI), and tangible items that are within their possession, custody, or control. California CCP §2031.010 et seq. governs the procedure, including the 30-day response deadline and the requirement to specify each item or category with reasonable particularity. The paralegal drafts the requests to cover all relevant document categories—communications, contracts, financial records, photographs, and ESI—using defined terms to minimize ambiguity and avoidance. Upon receiving responses, the paralegal logs produced documents, Bates-stamps them, and tracks any objections or claims of privilege that may require a meet-and-confer or motion to compel.