美國聯邦民事訴訟程序法有關證據開示程序之研究—以電子化儲存資訊為中心

Abstract

美國聯邦民事訴訟程序法於2006年底做了部分條文的更動，這是自1970年以來，美國民事訴訟程序法上最大且最重要的修法。本次修法的主要目的，係為因應科技的進步和發展，意欲對困難及騷擾性的電子郵件及其他電子儲存媒介的證據開示程序提供更明確及完整的規範與保護，也就是所謂的「電子化儲存資訊」(electronically stored information)的修法。其修法幅度之大，己使學界和律師界，針對這個主題產生了相當多的討論文章、法學評論及書籍來討論法律界應如何因應新的證據開示程序的改變。

民事訴訟案件，尤其是企業的訴訟，通常會產生數量龐大的電子化儲存資料。然而，大部分的企業並不了解，在訴訟的過程中，對於保存及提供這些資料負有何種責任。台灣企業大多對美國證據開示制度並不熟悉，更遑論電子化儲存資訊這樣進階版的複雜問題。而根據IDC的報告，目前之商業往來文件，超過百分之九十九是以電子化方式來產生與儲存。電子化儲存資訊相較於紙本文件，更容易被傳播、複製、及修改，因此，證據開示程序的成本、被主張證據毀損的風險及濫用證據開示程序的威脅都隨之增加，所以更應被清楚的規範其保存及使用之方式。本研究之結果期能提供國內企業對美國2006年之電子化證據開示修法有更深一層的認識，以作為因應美國民事訴訟程序之參考。

本文首先介紹電子化證據開示之發展、修法與變革，並佐以Advisory Committee Notes之立法理由，以利讀者對法律面有更深入的了解。其次整理電子化儲存資訊證據開示之相關議題，及其相關案例之研究與評析。於律師之義務及倫理方面，則介紹秘密通訊之特權及工作成果保護在證據法上的意義、證據法因應民事訴訟程序法所新增訂法律的介紹，及實務界對電子證據開示問題之最佳執行方案。在電子化儲存資訊所衍生問題之實證研究上方面，以摘要美國司法中心對民事訴訟電腦化資訊證據開示問題之質化分析內容，及對國內企業訪談記錄為主。最後，以國內外對民事訴訟電腦化資訊證據開示問題之綜合結論為基礎，提出對台灣企業面對電子化證據開示之建議及結論。

Unites States Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (FRCP) went through some revisions to part of its rules in the end of 2006. It is one of the most important changes and amendments to the FRCP since 1970. The main purpose of the amendment is to address the latest technology advancement and development. This is also known as the amendment to “Electronically Stored Information” (ESI). Civil lawsuit, particularly those that involved corporate cases, tend to produce a great amount of ESI. However, most company does not understand what kind of responsibility they have toward preserving and producing this type of information during the legal proceedings. Compared with paper, ESI is easier to transmit, duplicate and modify. As a result, the cost in discovery process, the risk of claim evidence spoliation, and the threat of discovery process abuse, all increase accordingly. Hopefully, the findings of this research can provide Taiwan companies an in depth understanding on the amendment of the United States E-discovery rules in 2006.

The thesis first introduces the development, amendment and transformation of E-discovery along with the legislative reason of the Advisory Committee Notes, in order for the readers to have a more thorough understanding from the legal aspect. Second, it goes over relevant subjects of discovery in ESI and the research and review of related case study. In the aspect of legal ethics, it introduces the attorney-client privilege and work product immunity in the context of Federal Rule of Evidence (FRE), as well as the amendment in FRE in response to FRCP, and the best practice for the real world toward E-discovery issues. The empirical study on the derivative issues of ESI, this thesis focuses mainly on “A Qualitative Study of Issues Raised By the Discovery of Computer-Based Information in Civil Litigation” conducted by the US Federal Judicial Center, and the records of interview collected from Taiwan enterprise. Lastly, based on the general conclusion of domestic and foreign E-discovery issues in civil legal proceedings, this article brings up its suggestion and conclusion for Taiwan enterprise facing E-discovery in future US civil legal proceedings.