Implications of New Rules
The Real Implications of the New Rules on EDD
By Scott Oliver
Special to Law.com
January 23, 2007
Effective Dec. 1, 2006, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure were amended to provide definition, structure and predictability to electronic discovery. For many litigators, the rule changes represent a fundamental shift in the way we prepare for and manage the discovery of electronically stored information (ESI) for federal cases.
Changes to state rules are not far behind. In fact, several states, such as California, Maryland and New Hampshire, are in various stages of implementing rule changes. Similar changes are already in effect in Idaho and New Jersey. While the objectives of the new Rules are clear, the necessary steps to comply with them are not. This article examines the major FRCP rule changes and their real implications. It provides a roadmap for becoming compliant while controlling business risks and understanding how the new rules can be leveraged in the courtroom.