Sanctions for Bad Faith Litigation

Courts may impose inherent-power sanctions for bad-faith conduct independent of rule-based sanctions.

Related Discovery rules

• Discovery ScopeParties may obtain nonprivileged information relevant to any claim or defense and proportional to the needs of the case.
• Work Product DoctrineWork product protects materials prepared in anticipation of litigation unless substantial need and undue hardship…
• Attorney–Client Privilege LimitsAttorney–client privilege protects confidential communications for legal advice unless waived.
• Mandatory Initial DisclosuresParties must provide basic information early, including witnesses, documents, and damage computations.
• Expert DisclosuresRetained experts require full reports; non-retained experts require summaries.
• InterrogatoriesInterrogatories must be answered truthfully after reasonable inquiry and are limited to 25 questions.
• Requests for ProductionRequests for production compel documents, ESI, and tangible things within a party’s control.
• Requests for AdmissionRequests for admission seek to narrow issues by admitting or denying factual statements.

Part of Civil Procedure on Core Legal Rules — foundational MBE-tested principles with primary-source citations.