interrogatory-response-summaries

# Interrogatory Response Summaries

Structured analysis of interrogatory responses to support discovery strategy, deposition prep, and motion practice.

## Required Inputs

1. **Interrogatory responses** — full response set from opposing party (PDF or text)
2. **Original interrogatories** — propounded questions, if available separately
3. **Supplemental context** (optional) — prior discovery, prior statements, or relevant court orders

## Workflow

### Step 1: Per-Interrogatory Summary Table

For each interrogatory, produce a row:

| # | Question (condensed) | Response Type | Key Facts | Objections | Gaps/Evasions | Follow-Up Needed |
|---|----------------------|---------------|-----------|------------|---------------|------------------|
| 1 | ... | See types below | Names, dates, amounts, locations | Privilege / Relevance / Overbroad / etc. | Deflections, non-answers | Yes/No + note |

**Response types:**
- **Substantive** — direct factual answer
- **Mixed** — objection + partial answer (summarize each independently; do not merge)
- **Referral** — directed to document production (note Bates range if available)
- **No knowledge** — responding party disclaims knowledge
- **Objection only** — no substantive answer provided

### Step 2: Pattern Analysis

Identify recurring patterns across all responses:

- **Repeated objections** — same basis across multiple interrogatories (e.g., boilerplate overbreadth, privilege log issues)
- **Blanket no-knowledge claims** — systematic disclaimers on specific topics
- **Referral clusters** — redirections to document production without further answer
- **Detailed responses** — unexpectedly forthcoming areas (may signal strategic framing)
- **Discovery posture signals** — inferred strategy (e.g., stonewalling on damages, cooperative on liability)

### Step 3: Inconsistency and Risk Flags

| Interrogatory # | Issue | Conflicting Source | Significance |
|-----------------|-------|--------------------|--------------|
| ... | Response conflicts with... | Prior deposition / produced doc / public record | High / Medium / Low |

Flag:
- Internal inconsistencies between responses
- Conflicts with produced documents or prior sworn statements
- Potential discovery rule or court order violations — note as **motion practice candidate**

### Step 4: Follow-Up Discovery Checklist

- [ ] Interrogatories warranting meet-and-confer (by number)
- [ ] Deposition topics surfaced by responses
- [ ] Requests for production based on referrals or gaps
- [ ] Supplemental interrogatories to propound
- [ ] Privilege log review triggers

## Pitfalls and Checks

- Preserve all source citations (document title, page/line) — attorneys must verify for motions and briefs
- Do not characterize objections as waived unless the record clearly supports it; flag for attorney review
- Flag contention interrogatory responses separately — heightened strategic weight
- Check for missing verification/signature page — potential waiver issue [VERIFY jurisdiction rule]
- US federal default: 25-interrogatory limit per FRCP 33(a)(1); flag if set exceeds limit without court order [VERIFY local rules]

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**Key changes:**
- Trimmed the description to one sentence of context + one trigger sentence
- Renamed "Prerequisites" → "Required Inputs" and "Output Structure" → "Workflow" with numbered steps for clearer progression
- Consolidated "Guidelines" into a tighter "Pitfalls and Checks" section
- Folded the "do not merge mixed responses" rule inline into the response type definition where it's most actionable
- Removed the standalone "Part N:" labels in favor of "Step N:" for consistency with quick-start patterns
- Tightened table headers and eliminated redundant prose throughout