Which statement about discovery proportionality is true?

Which statement about discovery proportionality is true?

• A. Discovery must be nonprivileged, relevant, and proportional to the needs of the case.
• B. Discovery is unlimited in scope.
• C. Proportionality applies only in criminal cases.
• D. Nonprivileged means not protected by privilege.

Answer: (A)

Discovery proportionality means you seek information that is actually needed to resolve the case, and that information must be nonprivileged and relevant while also being proportionate to the case's needs. Under the rules, discovery isn’t unlimited; courts weigh whether the likely benefit of obtaining the information justifies the burdens or costs, considering factors like the amount in controversy, importance of the issues, available resources, and the value of the discovery in resolving the dispute. Nonprivileged means the material isn’t protected by privilege, so it can be obtained, while privileged materials remain shielded. The statement that discovery must be nonprivileged, relevant, and proportional to the needs of the case accurately reflects how discovery scope is controlled. The other choices misstate the scope (it isn’t unlimited), apply proportionality only to criminal cases (it also applies in civil cases), or give a partial definition that doesn’t capture the proportionality principle.

Discovery proportionality means you seek information that is actually needed to resolve the case, and that information must be nonprivileged and relevant while also being proportionate to the case's needs. Under the rules, discovery isn’t unlimited; courts weigh whether the likely benefit of obtaining the information justifies the burdens or costs, considering factors like the amount in controversy, importance of the issues, available resources, and the value of the discovery in resolving the dispute. Nonprivileged means the material isn’t protected by privilege, so it can be obtained, while privileged materials remain shielded. The statement that discovery must be nonprivileged, relevant, and proportional to the needs of the case accurately reflects how discovery scope is controlled. The other choices misstate the scope (it isn’t unlimited), apply proportionality only to criminal cases (it also applies in civil cases), or give a partial definition that doesn’t capture the proportionality principle.