What does "discovery abuse" primarily refer to in legal proceedings?

"Discovery abuse" primarily refers to actions that hinder the opposing party's trial preparation. This encompasses various behaviors that obstruct the fair and efficient process of pretrial information gathering. It can involve tactics like evasive responses, failure to produce requested documents, or other maneuvers aimed at impeding the discovery process. Such actions can significantly affect the opposing party's ability to adequately prepare their case, leading to unbalanced representations in court.

While the other options touch on valid aspects of discovery misconduct, they do not capture the full essence of what discovery abuse entails. For instance, improperly using discovery tools might be one form of abuse, but it is not as broad as hindering preparation. Withholding evidence relates more specifically to non-compliance with discovery requests but does not encompass the various other actions that could be perceived as abuse. Excessive use of depositions might constitute a separate issue within discovery practice but does not typically fall under the umbrella of "discovery abuse" in the same way as outright hindering another's preparation. Overall, the concept of hindering the opposing party's trial preparation encapsulates a range of improper practices that collectively represent the essence of discovery abuse.