eDiscovery also known as electronic discovery is the process of obtaining and, exchanging evidence in an investigation or legal case. It is utilized in the initial phases of litigation when the involved parties are required to provide the relevant evidence or records. It involves obtaining and, exchanging electronic data secured, searched, or located to use as evidence.
eDiscovery can be performed on a network or can be done offline on a specific computer. The data processed through e-discovery include any information in electronic formats such as texts, emails, and, social media posts. Moreover, digital data is convenient for investigation, as it facilitates electronic search whereas paper documents require manual reviewing. It includes metadata, file properties, and, information about the author, and recipient.
In addition, it is difficult to totally destroy the digital data, when it goes into a network and, becomes accessible on various hard drives and, digital files. To get the complete assurance of this data being destroyed, it is required to physically destroy each hard drive where it has been stored.
The large-scale adoption of video conferencing and collaborative tools has been witnessed during the pandemic, due to the massive rise in working from remote areas. It also facilitates document review that does not require physical presence but is hosted on platforms such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom. During, this period massive popularity was gained by the virtually managed reviews.
Legal firms, state and local governments, corporations, and government agencies take advantage of the eDiscovery software. Law firms have crucial and sensitive information and requirements to ensure clients that their data is secured. Moreover, eDiscovery facilitates legal professionals to work remotely and securely. eDiscovery solutions are used by large corporations to manage legal matters and operations.
eDiscovery can also be utilized effectively in the internal investigations of businesses. A large amount of data present across all industries requires proper management. Here, eDiscovery software turns out to be advantageous for high-profile matters.
The digital data stores of the federal government are growing exponentially, and agency’s legal and record management teams are highly reliant on several technologies to cater to the emerging need for eDiscovery for finding, reviewing, and electronically storing the information. Moreover, agencies regularly generate electronically stored information, also known as ESI.
The advent of AI in eDiscovery
AI integrated eDiscovery tools enhance the process of review management by automatically monitoring the progress and, revealing things that humans would struggle to find. It could be pinpointing the most significant reviewers that go through endless reports and, uncovering interesting patterns. The other functions performed by AI include suggestions that affect the review and, updating or improving software in the least time.
Therefore, eDiscovery holds great potential for remote working and, collaboratively reviewing documents virtually without being physically present.
