Deposition

A deposition is testimony made under oath and taken down in writing by an authorized officer of the court, typically in an out-of-court setting and before trial. Deposition is an integral part of the discovery process, which enables both sides involved in a legal case to learn all the pertinent facts and discover the other side’s view of the case, so as to map out an effective legal strategy. Depositions are usually taken from key witnesses, but can also involve the plaintiff or defendant, and often take place in an attorney’s office rather than the courtroom.