This guide explains how to complete the Disclosure Review Document, detailing the three primary sources of knowledge required for its accurate preparation.
Guide · 21 pages · 28 min read · Published 2026-08-29
UK lawyers undertaking disclosure face the difficult operational challenge of completing the Disclosure Review Document accurately without relying solely on traditional legal drafting. Designed specifically for legal practitioners, this technical and procedural reference addresses the reality that entries must draw upon three distinct sources of knowledge: the client, an eDiscovery specialist, and a digital forensic examiner. It details the precise legal and forensic ground required for joint completion, moving from drafting Section 1 well to building an evidence-based Section 2 ahead of the Case Management Conference. Readers are guided field by field through the learning timetable, red flag checklists, suggested wording for support pack instructions, and technical limitations that frequently lead to common mistakes. By providing targeted interrogatories for opponents, worked examples built from evidence, and clear criteria for when to involve a specialist laboratory, the text equips legal teams to negotiate across the table, challenge vague responses, and ensure full compliance through to the certificate stage.
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21 pages · 28 min read
The Disclosure Review Document is a crucial component of UK e-disclosure, requiring input from the client, e-discovery specialist, and forensic examiner.
Published by Computer Forensics Lab on 2026-08-29. Original material of the practice, free to read, cite and download. The authority behind this subject is Practice Direction 57AD, Disclosure in the Business and Property Courts, which you should read alongside this guide. See every guide's author and source.
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THE DISCLOSURE REVIEW DOCUMENT · A GUIDE FOR UK LAWYERS Completing the Disclosure Review Document A Technical and Legal Guide COMPUTER FORENSICS LAB DISCOVERY. UK
§ ABOUT THE AUTHOR PREPARED BY COMPUTER FORENSICS LAB E-DISCOVERY TEAM FULL CHAIN-OF-CUSTODY DOCUMENTATION
§ CONTENTS In this guide 01 Executive summary 02 The problem in plain English: an exam you sit jointly 03 Anatomy of the DRD 04 What to learn from the client 05 What to learn from your e Discovery specialist 06 What to learn from your forensic examiner 07 Field by field: who supplies which answer 08 Drafting Section 1 well 09 Joint completion and negotiation 10 The timetable, mapped to the learning 11 Worked example: a Section 2 built from evidence 12 Common mistakes and technical limitations 13 Questions to ask · Suggested wording 14 Checklist and red flags · When to involve a digital forensic expert 15 Frequently asked questions 16 Glossary · References · Disclaimer · How a specialist laboratory can assist
§ 01 · ORIENTATION Executive summary THE HEADLINE POINT: THE DRD IS COMPLETED FROM THREE SOURCES OF KNOWLEDGE, NONE OF THEM THE DRAFTING LAWYER
§ 02 · FIRST PRINCIPLES The problem in plain English: an exam you sit jointly
§ 03 · THE DOCUMENT Anatomy of the DRD FOR THE PRACTITIONER
§ 04 · SOURCE ON E What to learn from the client
§ 05 · SOURCE TWO What to learn from your e Discovery specialist
§ 06 · SOURCE THREE What to learn from your forensic examiner WHYTHISCONSULTISCHEAPINSURANCE
§ 07 · THEMAP Field by field: who supplies which answer DRD TERRITORY WHO SUPPLIES IT THE EVIDENCE BEHIND THE ENTRY
§ 08 · THE LEGAL HALF Drafting Section 1 well
§ 09 · ACROSS THE TABLE Joint completion and negotiation
§ 10 · THECLOCK The timetable, mapped to the learning DEADLINE LEARNING THAT MUST ALREADY BE DONE
§ 11 · IN THE WILD Worked example: a Section 2 built from evidence THE ENTRIES, AND WHAT STOOD BEHIND THEM
§ 12 · WHEREITGOESWRONG Common mistakes and technical limitations Common mistakes Technical limitations
§ 13 · INTERROGATORIES & DRAFTING AIDS Questions to ask · Suggested wording Ask your client (before drafting) Ask your opponent Ask your e Discovery / forensic provider SUGGESTED WORDING · INSTRUCTIONTOAPR OV IDERFORTHEDRDSUPPORT PAC K
§ 14 · QUICK CONTROL Checklist and red flags · When to involve a digital forensic expert The DRD completion checklist Red flags When to involve a digital forensic expert
§ 15 · COMMON QUESTIONS Frequently asked questions Who actually completes the DRD? How much detail does Section 2 really need? What if we genuinely do not know a figure yet? The other side's Section 2 is vague. What do we do? Can the DRD be changed after the CMC? Does the DRD bind us at the certificate stage?
§ 16 · REFERENCE Glossary Sources and authoritative references DISCLAIMER
§ HOW A SPECIALIST LABORATORY CAN ASSIST Working with Computer Forensics Lab Speak to a forensic examiner, not a salesperson. INSTRUCTTHELAB NEWENQUIRIESEMAILE - DISCOVERY
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Whether you are responding to a regulator, preparing for disclosure, or scoping an internal investigation, start the chain of custody with a short, confidential conversation.
