What are the basic reasons discovery requests are objectionable under Rule 26(b)(1)? Explain each objection.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Answer is Irrelevant; work product; privileged; vague; ambiguous; unintelligible; unduly burdensome.
Irrelevant: A question is objectionable if its ultimate aim is to elicit evidence information that is not relevant to the issues in the case.
Privileged: A question that calls for information protected by the attorney-client, husband-wife, and like privileges is objectionable.
Work product (trial preparation materials): If a question calls for the mental impressions, conclusions, legal theories, and like matters related to the attorney's preparation for trial, it need
not be answered. Objectionable questions typically ask for the names of witnesses who will be called at trial and for the names and opinions of experts who are hired as consultants and not as trial witnesses. The work product objection, however, is often invoked too broadly and abused.
Vague, ambiguous, and unintelligible: Occasionally a question is so unspecific or worded so unclearly that it requires the answering party to guess at the meaning of the question. Such a
question is objectionable. This objection may also apply to the instructions.
Too broad: A question can be so inclusive that its limits are excessive. For example, a question calling for the names of all the documents gathered over the last twenty years pertaining to the incident in question is so sweeping in its coverage that it is overly burdensome, while also calling for irrelevant material. Questions requesting information covering an unduly lengthy time span are objectionable. The scope of the question must be reasonable.
Unduly burdensome: Paragraph (c) of Rule 26 allows a party to seek a protective order from unduly burdensome or expensive discovery requests. It is a valid objection to a particular interrogatory or an entire set of interrogatories. If a question or set of questions requires a response that is excessively detailed, costly, time-consuming, or embarrassing relative to the opponent's need for the requested information, then the question or set of questions is objectionable.

What Are the Basic Reasons Discovery Requests Are Objectionable Under