Which term describes the pretrial process of obtaining information from the other side, including depositions and interrogatories?

• A. Discovery
• B. Motion to dismiss
• C. Subpoena
• D. Motion for summary judgment

Answer: (A)

Discovery describes the pretrial process of obtaining information from the other side, including depositions and interrogatories. It’s the formal mechanism for uncovering facts, assessing the strengths and weaknesses of each side, and narrowing the issues before trial. Depositions involve sworn, out‑of‑court testimony, recorded for later use, while interrogatories are written questions that must be answered under oath. Other discovery tools—such as requests for production of documents and requests for admissions—further illuminate the facts without going to trial. A subpoena, while related, is a mechanism to compel testimony or the production of evidence and is used within discovery; it isn’t the overall process itself. Motions to dismiss and motions for summary judgment address legal sufficiency or the existence of genuine factual disputes, not the information‑gathering phase.