Glossary
Request for production
A discovery request asking the other side to produce documents, electronic records, or other tangible things relevant to the case. Often abbreviated "RFP."
If you want documents from the other side, you serve them with a request for production: a list of categories of documents you want, with a deadline (usually 30 days) for them to provide them or object.
In modern litigation, document production usually means electronic discovery: emails, texts, files from servers, social media. The rules about how to preserve, search, and produce ESI (electronically stored information) are technical and unforgiving. Failure to preserve relevant electronic evidence is spoliation, which can lead to sanctions or adverse jury instructions.