What is the primary condition for a court to order the discovery of documents?

The primary condition for a court to order the discovery of documents is that they must be relevant to a fact in issue. This relevance is essential because the purpose of discovery is to ensure that all parties have access to the information and evidence that could potentially influence the outcome of a case. If documents do not pertain to facts that are in dispute or relevant to the claims being examined, then their discovery would not serve the interests of justice and could unnecessarily prolong proceedings.

In this context, the court assesses the relevance of documents based on whether they can assist in understanding the issues at hand or provide evidence that may support or refute claims made by either party. Relevance is therefore not just a procedural checklist but a foundational principle that drives the discovery process, allowing for an open and fair trial where both sides can adequately prepare their cases. This focus on relevancy ensures that the evidence presented to the court is pertinent to the matters being litigated.