GoldFynch provides robust tools for securely managing and sharing eDiscovery documents. While it may be tempting to share an entire case with opposing counsel for convenience, it is not a best practice.
Instead, sharing a production set or a separate case containing only the necessary documents ensures better control, security, and compliance.
Reasons why limiting shared access is preferred
1. Preserving Confidentiality and Privilege
Sharing an entire case risks exposing privileged, confidential, or non-responsive documents. Even if documents are marked as privileged or tagged internally, unrestricted access by opposing counsel could result in inadvertent waiver of privilege.
2. Ensuring Compliance with Discovery Obligations
Discovery obligations require you to provide only responsive, relevant, and non-privileged documents. By sharing a controlled production set, you ensure that you meet your legal obligations without disclosing extraneous or privileged information.
3. Minimizing Risk of Data Manipulation or Misinterpretation
Allowing access to an entire case may expose draft versions, notes, or internal work product that should not be reviewed by opposing counsel. Providing only the finalized production reduces the risk of misinterpretation or unauthorized use of internal case materials.
4. Avoiding Accidental Disclosure of Work Product
GoldFynch cases often include attorney notes, strategic annotations, and document categorizations that should not be accessible to the opposing party. Sharing a separate production case ensures that only finalized and intended documents are accessible.
5. Improved Document Tracking and Audit Control
When sharing a production, you can track exactly what was provided and when. This prevents disputes over whether a document was included in discovery, maintaining a clear and verifiable chain of custody.
6. Maintaining Control Over Redactions and Metadata
Productions allow you to apply redactions and control metadata exposure before sharing. Sharing an entire case may reveal sensitive metadata that should not be disclosed, such as author information, comments, or prior versions.
Best Practice: Use GoldFynch's Production and Sharing Features
To mitigate these risks, GoldFynch offers tools to create and share productions securely:
Productions: Generate a controlled set of documents with appropriate redactions and metadata adjustments.
Separate Case Sharing: Create a new case containing only the documents necessary for opposing counsel’s access.
Access Control: Limit permissions to prevent unintended modifications or visibility of internal notes.
Click here to learn more about setting roles and permissions when sharing cases.
By following these best practices, you can ensure that discovery remains secure, compliant, and strategically managed within GoldFynch. If you need assistance with setting up productions or sharing cases securely, contact our team at [email protected].