5 Main Types of Litigation Documents

1. Pleadings

Pleadings are the first court documents filed in a lawsuit, and they set the stage for everything that follows. Essentially, they tell the court and the other side:

• What the dispute is about
• Who the parties are
• What the lawsuit is asking for

In both state and federal courts, these filings show up as docket documents tied to a docket number, which makes it easy to follow the progress of a particular case on the court’s record.

The exact forms can vary by jurisdiction, but the idea is the same everywhere: put the claims and defenses in writing so the case can move forward.

Most lawsuits begin with a complaint, where the plaintiff explains their allegations, the legal basis for the claims, and what they want the court to do.

The defendant then files an answer, admitting or denying each point and possibly raising defenses or even counterclaims.

In some situations, a writ or other specialized forms may be used to start the process. However it begins, pleadings are the foundation of litigation or the official starting point that frames the case for the court and everyone involved.

2. Discovery Documents

Discovery documents play a central role in litigation because they give attorneys the tools to uncover facts long before a trial begins.

Additionally, they let the parties gain access to records, testimony, and evidence that the court will eventually rely on to decide the case. Each filing becomes part of the proceedings, tracked in the docket, and sometimes tied to page references or petitions in the case database.

The discovery stage is where much of the legal battle happens, because it’s the process that creates the evidence each side will later present.

Some common types of discovery documents are:

• Interrogatories: Formal questions that must be answered under oath.
• Requests for production: Demands for specific documents, files, or records.
• Requests for admission: Statements designed to confirm or deny facts and narrow disputes.
• Depositions: Sworn testimony recorded outside of court but with the same weight as in-court evidence.
• Subpoenas: Court orders requiring third parties to provide records or appear for testimony.

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3. Motion Practice

Motion practice covers the many requests attorneys file to ask the court to take specific action during a case. These court documents are required to move certain issues forward and can shape the availability of evidence, the scope of discovery, or even whether a claim survives.

Each motion becomes part of the docket to give the judge an account of what each party is asking the court to accomplish. Attorneys often research prior rulings to support their position, since motions rely heavily on legal authority.

Some common examples of motions include:

• Motion to dismiss: Argues that the case should be thrown out due to legal deficiencies.
• Motion to compel discovery: Requests that the court order the other party to provide documents or testimony that have been withheld.
• Motion for summary judgment: A request asking the court to decide in favor of one party without holding a trial, on the grounds that there are no real disputes about the important facts.
• Motion in limine: Seeks to limit or exclude certain evidence before the trial begins.
• Motion for protective order: Attempts to restrict discovery to prevent undue burden or exposure of sensitive material.

Through motion practice, attorneys use the court’s authority to accomplish procedural and strategic goals that can significantly affect how a case proceeds.

4. Trial Documents

Trial documents are the materials attorneys prepare and file once a case moves from discovery into the courtroom. They help organize the presentation of evidence, guide the judge or jury, and create a record that can later be reviewed on appeal.

These filings, along with transcripts of the proceedings, often appear on the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system in federal courts or in county dockets at the local level, which makes them part of the public record.

Attorneys rely on these documents to keep track of witnesses, exhibits, and arguments, and to make sure the case is presented clearly and consistently.

Some common trial documents include:

• Trial briefs: Written arguments submitted to the court that outline legal issues and positions.
• Witness lists: Names of individuals each party intends to call to testify.
• Exhibit lists: Catalogs of the documents, photos, or objects that will be introduced into evidence.
• Jury instructions: Proposed guidance for jurors on how to apply the law.
• Transcripts: Official records of everything said during trial, often signed and certified by the court reporter.

Together, these documents help the court find clarity in the case, give the parties a structured way to present evidence, and maintain a record that supports fairness in the proceedings.

5. Post-Trial and Appellate Documents

Post-trial and appellate documents give attorneys a way to challenge the outcome, ask for changes, or take the fight to a higher court. These filings are carefully arranged on the docket, and anyone following the case can search for them to find key information about what’s happening next.

They also give the parties a record to use if they need assistance from an appellate court to review the trial judge’s decision.

Some common examples include:

• Notice of appeal filed to start the review process
• Post-trial motions asking for a new trial or judgment changes
• Appellate briefs that explain the legal arguments to a higher court

These documents shape what happens after the trial and can determine whether a judgment stands, gets modified, or is overturned on appeal.

Litigation Documents Made Easier With Automation

As you can see, the litigation process runs on documents that all drive the case forward. The challenge is the sheer volume of paperwork that eats up attorney time.

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