Litigation support: Overview, definition, and example
What is litigation support?
Litigation support refers to the services and assistance provided to legal teams, lawyers, or parties involved in a legal dispute to help manage and prepare for litigation. These services can include a wide range of tasks such as gathering and organizing evidence, managing legal documentation, conducting legal research, expert testimony, and offering technological support like e-discovery and data analysis. The goal of litigation support is to streamline the legal process, improve efficiency, and ensure that a case is well-prepared for trial or settlement.
For example, a litigation support team may assist in reviewing large volumes of electronic documents to identify evidence relevant to a case, or provide expert testimony on complex technical issues during trial.
Why is litigation support important?
Litigation support is important because it helps legal professionals navigate the often complex and time-consuming process of preparing for and managing a legal case. By providing specialized services and expertise, litigation support allows legal teams to focus on strategy and argumentation, while experts handle administrative, technical, or research-related tasks. This improves the efficiency and effectiveness of the legal process, and ensures that the party receiving support is better equipped to present their case.
For businesses and law firms, having access to litigation support can lead to a more organized and successful approach to handling disputes, reducing the risk of errors or delays. For individuals, litigation support ensures that their case is thoroughly prepared and that every piece of relevant evidence is considered.
Understanding litigation support through an example
Imagine a company is involved in a patent dispute with a competitor. The legal team handling the case utilizes litigation support services to assist in reviewing thousands of electronic files to find relevant communications and patents. Additionally, they may hire a patent expert to provide testimony during the trial to explain the technical aspects of the patent. Litigation support helps the legal team manage these tasks efficiently and ensures that critical evidence is not overlooked.
In another example, an individual suing for personal injury might require litigation support to gather medical records, witness statements, and accident reports. A litigation support team may also help in preparing settlement offers, ensuring all aspects of the case are accounted for in negotiations.
An example of a litigation support clause
Here’s how a litigation support clause might appear in a contract:
“The Party agrees to provide litigation support services, including document management, expert testimony, and evidence collection, as necessary to assist in the preparation and presentation of the case. All services will be provided in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.”
Conclusion
Litigation support is a crucial component in managing and preparing for legal disputes, helping legal teams streamline processes, gather evidence, and present a strong case. By leveraging specialized services, both legal professionals and their clients can navigate complex litigation more effectively and efficiently. Whether through document review, expert testimony, or technical support, litigation support plays a vital role in the success of legal proceedings.
This article contains general legal information and does not contain legal advice. Cobrief is not a law firm or a substitute for an attorney or law firm. The law is complex and changes often. For legal advice, please ask a lawyer.