What is a request for admission?

A request for admission is a formal legal tool used during the discovery phase of a lawsuit, which allows one party to request another party to admit or deny certain facts that are pertinent to the case. This process helps to streamline the issues for trial by establishing what is agreed upon, allowing the court to focus on the contested issues.

By using written questions aimed at ascertaining specific facts, the requesting party can clarify the positions of the opposing party without the need for extensive evidence or testimony on points that may not be in dispute. This is particularly important in healthcare law, as it can clarify aspects of treatment, billing, or adherence to standards that are critical to resolving a case efficiently.

In contrast, other options relate to different legal processes. A formal petition to the court involves submitting a request for a specific ruling or order, a plea for settlement refers to negotiations to resolve a dispute outside of court, and a request for medical records pertains to obtaining patient information but does not serve the purpose of admitting or denying facts in a legal context.