U.S. evidence for foreign cases · Get My Discovery — a d/b/a of the Law Office of Derek J. Soltis
Resources

Understanding § 1782 Discovery

Clear, accurate explanations of how parties abroad obtain U.S. evidence under 28 U.S.C. § 1782 — written for litigants and the international lawyers who advise them.

Start here: the Complete Guide to § 1782 walks through the requirements, the post-ZF arbitration rule, the Intel factors, and the full process. Read it online or download the designed PDF.

By country: United Kingdom  ·  Brazil  ·  UAE & DIFC  ·  Germany  ·  India  ·  Cayman & BVI  ·  Switzerland  ·  Singapore  ·  Hong Kong  ·  Mexico  ·  Nigeria  ·  Canada

En español / Em português: Rastreo de activos (ES)  ·  Rastreamento de ativos (PT)  ·  Arbitraje (ES)  ·  Arbitragem (PT)  ·  Guía completa (ES)  ·  Guia completo (PT)

Free Guide

The Complete Guide to § 1782

The full picture: what the statute is, the three requirements, the arbitration limit, the Intel factors, the step-by-step process, and FAQs.

Case Law Update

What's Changed Since ZF Automotive

Post-2022 developments into 2026: the Second Circuit's ICSID ruling (Webuild), the 2025 circuit wave, and 2026 privilege & "for use" decisions.

Case Study

The Alfa Nero Case & the "For Use" Rule

A sanctioned businessman's heir, a $40M seized superyacht, and a § 1782 bid that failed at the Second Circuit — what it teaches about "for use."

Arbitration

Can You Use § 1782 for International Arbitration?

After ZF Automotive (2022), private commercial arbitration generally falls outside § 1782 — but court and government proceedings still qualify.

Enforcement

Trace Assets & Enforce a Foreign Judgment

Use U.S. banking and financial records to follow the money and collect on a judgment against a debtor with U.S. ties.

Eligibility

Who Can Apply for § 1782 Discovery?

The "interested person" standard is read broadly — what it means, and the other two pieces that have to line up.

The Process

How to File a § 1782 Application

The step-by-step sequence: pick the district, build the petition and declaration, file ex parte, serve the subpoena, handle a motion to quash.

Discretion

The Four Intel Factors, Explained

Eligibility gets you in the door; these four discretionary factors decide whether the court actually grants the discovery.

Timeline & Cost

How Long Does § 1782 Take — and What Does It Cost?

The realistic timeline — ex parte authorization in weeks, contested motions add months — and the cost picture, versus the slower alternatives.

Pitfalls

7 Common § 1782 Mistakes

Wrong district, private-arbitration misfires after ZF, speculative "for use," overbroad requests, ignoring privilege — and how to avoid each.

Strategy

Documents, Testimony, or Both?

§ 1782 can compel documents, a sworn deposition, or both. How to choose for your case — and the cost and strategic trade-offs.

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