Emails, ediscovery and litigation

I have discussed the need to write emails prudently previously.

So it doesn't surprise me to see emails being used as a source of evidence in current legal hearings.

The C7 litigation between Australia's biggest media players has already extensively referred to personal comments made in internal company emails.

Closer to home, the Crime and Misconduct Commission Inquiry into the Gold Coast City Council  is also referring extensively to emails. (search the transcript of Day 9 (pdf) for references to "email")

The message? Emails (and Instant Messages as well) may be easy to compose and send but if you treat them like letters and send them with less haste and more formality, there may be less for you to explain if they are scrutinised in the future.