Discovery of relevant material extends far beyond documents created on personal computers. Discoverable data exists in many forms, including electronic data found in vehicles such as tractors used for tractor-trailers. This type of data is also subject to spoliation sanctions if not properly preserved. A recent case in the Northern District of Alabama, Barry v. Big M Transportation, Inc., addressed whether sanctions were warranted when electronic vehicle data was not preserved for a tractor-trailer that was involved in an accident.

Have you ever thought your adversary was withholding relevant ESI from document production? Have you wanted to look at the withheld documents to show that some are indeed relevant? Well, you might be able to – but it’ll cost you. In Nachurs Alpine Solutions, Corp. v. Banks, an Iowa District Court recently ordered that documents deemed nonresponsive by Defendants and withheld from production be produced to Plaintiff, but that Plaintiff would have to bear its own costs of reviewing them.

A ski trip with your fiancé results in a great photo of the two of you on a snow covered mountain; obviously, the picture is destined for your Facebook page. This picture may be used for more than to show off your good time and skiing ability, however, if you’re the plaintiff in a personal injury lawsuit. In Scott v. United States Postal Service, which concerns a personal injury suit, a Louisiana District Court recently held that while social media is discoverable, discovery requests involving social media must still be tailored to lead to relevant and admissible evidence.

Recently, The Sedona Conference, a research and educational institute, published its 2016 Public Comment Version of The Sedona Conference Commentary on Proportionality in Electronic Discovery. This is the third version of this publication, which reflects the change and emphasis on proportionality under the 2015 amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The Commentary sets out six principles of proportionality guided by the Rules and case law.

Input to this public comment version is welcomed, and a subsequent final version will be published. Public comments may be made through January 31, 2017 to comments@sedonaconference.org.