A lawsuit is a legal action between two parties, usually individuals or businesses, to resolve a dispute. The process can be lengthy, with some cases taking over a year to complete.

In the context of a lawsuit, discovery is the process of collecting and examining evidence, typically in order to determine which claims should be presented in court. Evidence may include documents such as photographs, accident reports, and medical bills.

Discovery is an important step in the civil litigation process because it is designed to eliminate surprises and give parties an opportunity to make an informed decision. However, it can also be a time-consuming and expensive endeavor.

It is also the longest phase of the litigation process. This is because the details of the legal procedure can vary widely from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

As a result, there are many possible ways in which a case could be resolved, and not all of them are as obvious as one might think. Typically, a party can attempt to settle the matter by filing a summary judgment, a motion for default judgment, or a motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict.

During the discovery phase, the defendant may have an obligation to admit or deny allegations in the complaint. In addition, the defendant may have the duty to state affirmative defenses.

The plaintiff’s complaint, however, is the most crucial and significant step of the lawsuit process. The complaint sets the groundwork for the rest of the lawsuit by describing the plaintiff’s damages, stating relevant facts, and seeking an equitable remedy from the court.