Inspection

'Inspection' is the stage in the disclosure process during which the parties physically see documents:

1. •

   disclosed by the other parties to the litigation (and which they have not objected to your inspecting)

2. •

   referred to in a party's statement of case, witness statements, witness summaries and affidavits—see Practice Note: Disclosure—inspection—Inspection of documents referred to in statements of case, witness statements

3. •

   ordered to be specifically disclosed and/or inspected under CPR 31.12—see: Specific disclosure and specific inspection—overview

As such, this is an important stage in the litigation and one which should be conducted thoroughly and carefully. For further guidance, see Practice Note: Disclosure: inspection, which provides guidance on:

1. •

   documents that can be inspected

2. •

   how to make a written request for inspection under CPR 31.15(a)

3. •

   the circumstances in which it may not be possible to inspect disclosed documents under CPR 31.3 and CPR 31.19 (see also, below)

4. •

   how to make an application for specific inspection under CPR 31.12

5. •

   how inspection takes place under CPR 31.15 (considering, among other things, inspection of original documents, copy documents and electronic documents)

6. •

   when