1:1-10.1 Purpose and function; policy considerations; public documents not discoverable | ||
(a) The purpose of discovery is to facilitate the disposition of cases by streamlining the hearing and enhancing the likelihood of settlement or withdrawal. These rules are designed to achieve this purpose by giving litigants access to facts which tend to support or undermine their position or that of their adversary. | ||||
(b) It is not ground for denial of a request for discovery that the information to be produced may be inadmissible in evidence if the information sought appears reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence. | ||||
(c) In considering a discovery motion, the judge shall weigh the specific need for the information, the extent to which the information is within the control of the party and matters of expense, privilege, trade secret and oppressiveness. Except where so proceeding would be unduly prejudicial to the party seeking discovery, discovery shall be ordered on terms least burdensome to the party from whom discovery is sought. | ||||
(d) Discovery shall generally not be available against a State agency that is neither a party to the proceeding nor asserting a position in respect of the outcome but is solely providing the forum for the dispute‘s resolution. | ||||
