In the digital age, legal teams must use e-discovery tools to deal with vast amounts of Electronically Stored Information (ESI) during litigation.
What is e-Discovery?
E-Discovery, also known as electronic discovery, is a fundamental process in legal investigations and litigation. It revolves around identifying, preserving, and exchanging electronic data, effectively managing vast volumes of digital information.
By pinpointing relevant data, e-Discovery streamlines the handling of electronic information, mitigates the risk of overlooking crucial evidence. Ultimately it can lead to cost reductions. Discover the core features of electronic data discovery and learn how it significantly enhances your work’s efficiency and effectiveness. Therefore, making it an indispensable tool in modern legal practices.
Data-mapping – identify all potentially relevant case information
Data mapping is the process in which analysts collaborate directly with the client to identify and map the location and nature of data that is relevant to the matter. This involves an in-depth analysis of various systems such as file shares, email servers, and cloud platforms to create a comprehensive picture of data storage and accessibility.
To ensure the effectiveness of data mapping, open and constructive communication between technical and legal teams is vital. As a result, this fosters a clear understanding of the matter’s scope for everyone involved, paving the way for a successful case.
Typically performed at the outset of a matter, data mapping plays a pivotal role in establishing a well-structured plan for data collection, preservation, processing, and review throughout the entire process.
Why is data-mapping important?
Without data-mapping tools, relevant information could slip through the cracks. Opposing counsel can use this oversight to challenge your investigation’s thoroughness or adherence to discovery rules and guidelines. Such data-collection shortcomings could even lead to case dismissal. So, it’s essential to engage someone experienced in data mapping to help ensure a comprehensive, legally sound data retrieval process.
Data collection – gather all essential digital evidence for your case
Data collection provides crucial evidence to support legal claims or defences. It can also:
- Enable thorough information exchange during the discovery phase
- Aid in resolving contractual disputes by recovering relevant digital documents
- Demonstrate regulatory compliance or identify non-compliance areas
- Preserve data integrity for courtroom authenticity and admissibility
As technology advances and evidence becomes more digital, legal teams must adopt smart data collection methods. By relying on expert guidance, these methods can enhance your effectiveness in handling digital evidence in a changing legal landscape.
Advanced handset extractions
Encrypted data from devices like iPads and Apple Watches can be sources of essential evidence. However, unlocking the data requires specialist expertise due to the complexity of these modern devices and their encryption technology. A skilled digital forensics team can carefully take apart phones, remove chips and memory cards to get the data. They can also try to break unique passwords using specialised apps.
On-site collections with short notice
Being prepared for data collection, particularly for urgent onsite tasks, is vital when every second counts.
You need access to a specialised kit for instant data extraction. One that can be readily prepared for quick global dispatch whenever needed. Helping significantly streamline the process of handling sudden, on-site data collection demands.
Data collection from various computers
Modern laptops have diverse data storage – including varying hard drives and connections. Some have non-removable onboard storage, requiring complex removal methods. Successful data extraction for different computers relies on the right adapter for the hard drive and specialist expertise. These factors can present data extraction challenges.
Cloud collections
Legal teams must adeptly handle diverse data types on various cloud platforms, including emails, documents and team communications. Differing user permissions amplify the complexity of this task. Proficiency in managing such data diversity is a cornerstone of effective data collection in civil litigation.
Relativity platform – drive the efficiency of email and document review
e-Discovery platforms like Relativity enhance legal case management efficiency. Email threading features identify unique emails in chains, to reduce document review workload. Artificial Intelligence (AI) tracks document changes and can provide insights into agreement evolution. For example, comparing contract drafts in a construction dispute clarifies final terms, enabling an effective resolution.
Relativity’s Machine Learning ranks relevant documents for quicker reviews. While scenario description lets users input case-specific keywords to identify relevant documents. In a fraud case, keywords like company names or financial terms can reveal key documents, uncovering potential wrongdoing or unusual transactions.
Streamline your legal case management, reduce workload and increase efficiency
We offer expert and cost-efficient support to help legal teams gather and analyse electronic data, to build a strong case and achieve a favourable outcome. Access the latest Relativity e-Discovery technology to save time and use insights you may have overlooked that could significantly strengthen your case.
We consistently adhere to industry regulations and best practices, ensuring the e-Discovery process’s integrity while offering clients a reliable and secure service.
Contact Us
Our experienced team excels in conducting e-Discovery but also in defending processes and decisions in court. We can provide comprehensive witness statements detailing our actions and how we handle the data, which can be confidently presented in court.