What is the term for the legal practice of obtaining information relevant to a lawsuit?

The term for the legal practice of obtaining information relevant to a lawsuit is discovery. This process is essential in the legal context, as it allows parties involved in a case to gather evidence, clarify issues, and prepare for trial. During discovery, different types of evidence may be collected, including documents, testimonies, and depositions. This stage ensures that both sides have access to pertinent information, facilitating a fair trial process.

The other terms—disclosure, documentation, and declassification—refer to different concepts. Disclosure typically involves revealing specific information to a third party, but does not encompass the broader, systematic information-gathering process that discovery entails. Documentation refers to the act of recording or keeping official records but again lacks the legal procedural context of discovery. Declassification involves the process of removing the classified status of information, usually pertaining to national security or sensitive government data, rather than the gathering of evidence for legal proceedings. Thus, discovery is the most applicable term in the context of lawsuits and legal evidence gathering.