What are discovery sanctions?

Discovery sanctions serve as penalties imposed by a court on a party that fails to comply with its discovery obligations during litigation. The purpose of these sanctions is to enforce compliance and ensure that the discovery process is fair and effective, ultimately promoting justice. When one party does not adhere to the rules regarding the exchange of evidence and information, the court may implement various sanctions. These can range from monetary penalties to more severe actions such as striking pleadings or dismissing claims entirely.

Understanding the rationale behind discovery sanctions emphasizes the importance of adhering to procedural rules in civil litigation, as non-compliance can undermine the integrity of the judicial process. Recognizing the severity of the consequences encourages parties to fulfill their discovery responsibilities diligently.

In contrast, other options like incentives for timely filings or rewards for cooperation do not align with the concept of sanctions, which directly relates to punishment or penalties for failing to meet legal obligations. Similarly, judicial modifications to discovery rules do not equate to sanctions, as they pertain to changes in the law rather than penalties for non-compliance.