Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom
Key definition
document definition

What does document mean? In legal practice, a document is any recorded information that may need to be preserved, disclosed, inspected or relied on as evidence, regardless of format. In England and Wales, cpr 31.4 defines “document” as anything in which information of any description is recorded. The Disclosure Pilot (PD 51U) confirms this includes electronic documents (emails, messages, databases) and associated metadata. Usage across the UK and Ireland is broadly consistent. In Scotland (productions/commission and diligence), legislation such as the Civil Evidence (Scotland) Act 1988 adopts a wide definition that includes electronic records. In Northern Ireland, discovery under the Rules of the Court...

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Precedent letter responding to inspection request: asserting legal advice and litigation privilege, confirming non-waiver, and setting inspection arrangements under the CPR (England and Wales)

Precedents
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Dear [ insert organisation name ],

We reply further to your letter dated [ DATE ]. [ Our Client is willing to permit your client to review [ identify documents ]. For clarity, this does not amount to any waiver of privilege in relation to any other material. Access will be given [ pursuant to the [ Court’s directions OR CPR ] OR by [ sending you copies ] within [ number of ] days ] . ] [ Our client maintains legal professional privilege over [ identify documents ]. Your client is therefore not entitled to see them at this stage...

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Mathew Purchase
Mathew Purchase

Mathew Purchase's practice includes all aspects of employment law, discrimination law, public law and human rights and civil liberties. He is on the Attorney General's B Panel and is a member of the Bar Pro Bono Unit and ELAAS. He is recommended in Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500, which have described him as: ‘extremely intelligent’, ‘just superb - smooth, engaging and perfectly pitched’, and as someone who ‘always does excellent work’. Mathew has broad experience in public law and human rights, including community care, education, housing and civil actions against the police, from early advisory work to judicial review. Mathew has a strong interest in all aspects of education law and acts for parents/children, local authorities and schools at all levels. He has appeared in a number of judicial review claims; recent cases include R (UNISON) v Lord...

Web page updated on 22/05/2026

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