The December 1, 2006 amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (FRCP),
affect almost every organization in the United States – and beyond. The amendments introduce a new category of business records described as Electronically Stored Information (ESI) and provide detailed processes that organizations must follow in the event of federal civil litigation. As a result, it’s now more than just a “good idea” for companies to have complete control of data (both paper-based and electronic) and be able to access it quickly and accurately.
Bottom line: Look for corporate counsel to become tech-savvy, and for IT execs to brush up on their knowledge of the law. To find out how the changes to the FRCP and ESI affect your business:
US courts are beginning to interpret and apply the new amendments to the FRCP for electronically stored information (ESI), with judges ruling on these issues at a frightening pace. The explosive growth in the volume of ESI (especially e-mail) underscores the need for solutions that balance information risk management with an organization's goal for operational cost management and legal discovery.