The six-step eDiscovery process, explained | Altlaw

Written by Altlaw | Nov 15, 2023 10:00:00 AM

The eDiscovery process is a series of steps to identify, collect and produce electronic information for legal cases and regulatory compliance. 

Mastering the eDiscovery process can help legal professionals build cases from mass electronic data efficiently, saving time and money.

Throughout this blog post, we’ll explore the six-step eDiscovery process in detail so you can understand the importance of each stage.

 

  1. Data collection
  2. Data transfer
  3. Data processing
  4. Early case assessment (ECA)
  5. Document review and exchange
  6. Case termination

1. Data collection                                                               

In the first step of the eDiscovery process, forensic data collection methods are used to compile all the necessary data without altering the original file metadata. It’s vital not to modify the metadata during collection as this can cause the evidence’s validity to be questioned.