What are written interrogatories?

Written interrogatories are a specific legal tool used during the discovery phase of litigation. They consist of written questions that one party submits to another party or a witness in order to gather information relevant to the case. The party receiving the interrogatories is required to respond in writing, usually within a set time frame. This process helps in clarifying facts, uncovering evidence, and narrowing down the issues before trial.

This tool is an essential component of pre-trial discovery, allowing parties to obtain information that could be crucial to their case and prepare for depositions, hearings, or trial. It differs from other forms of inquiries in that it is formalized, requiring written responses rather than verbal answers, thus providing a clear record of the questions and responses.