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28 May 2009 / Chris Paley-menzies
Issue: 7371 / Categories: Features , E-disclosure , Profession , Technology
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In search of reasonableness

Chris Paley-Menzies on the changing approach to e-disclosure

The case of Digicel vs Cable & Wireless, where Digicel alleged that Cable & Wireless deliberately conspired to delay interconnection with Digicel's telephone network, has brought the issue of electronic disclosure the forefront of the legal mind. The recent decision made in the case on the inadequacy of the search efforts made by Cable & Wireless will have an effect upon how e-disclosure is approached in the future.

In their efforts, Cable & Wireless racked up some £2m and nearly 7,000 hours of legal time and yet their key word search was still not deemed “reasonable”. The decision to force the company to do further searches on Digicel's terms was also compounded by the fact that they will now have to include the restoration of backed-up tape data. The problem now faced by Cable & Wireless would seem to be one of numbers. From the original list of 10 key words used, over 1,000,000 documents were returned and these were, expensively, whittled down to

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

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NEWS
Consultant-led law firms should prepare for closer regulatory attention as oversight evolves
Artificial intelligence may draft workplace grievances, but employers cannot treat them any differently from conventional complaints
From dishonest claimants to judicial promotions and procedural skirmishes, the latest legal developments offer plenty for litigators to digest
Fresh guidance is set to influence how courts decide whether hearings take place online or in person
County Court judges remain divided over whether landlords can lawfully force entry to carry out essential safety inspections after tenants ignore access injunctions
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