A form of preparation for discovery in US cases, particularly those in Rocket Dockets and §337 investigations, where counsel for a party, particularly a plaintiff, outlines likely document requests that the opposing party will promulgate in the course of the litigation, so as to speed the document gathering process and consider the impact any documents found would have on litigation positions. When done on the plaintiff side, such reverse document requests will often be conducted before filing the case. Typically such ‘reverse document requests’ would seek any documents relating to the claim, potential counterclaims and prior negotiations between the parties.
In certain types of litigation, for example §337, it is normal practice for a plaintiff to conduct such a review before filing proceedings, so as to ensure that all positions are supported and supportable, as well as to protect the plaintiff’s initiative gained by bringing the case. See Discovery.