System and method for electronically managing remote review of documents

• US 20050004950A1
• Filed: 07/02/2004
• Published: 01/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Conduent Business Services, LLC (Conduent, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Gruskin, Michael A., Ciaramitaro, Barbara L., Wolfe, Edward C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,698,298 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

A system and method are provided for electronically managing remote review of documents that are stored on a central repository. The remote review system advantageously enables a remote reviewer, lacking repository access, to remotely review and record decisions in respect to documents stored in the repository and then electronically integrate those remotely made decisions back into the repository. In this way, the inventive system and method promotes efficiency and consistency in responding to document requests for legal purposes.

Claims

1. A system for electronically managing remote review of documents for legal purposes comprising:

a repository of electronically stored documents;

an export tool for exporting one or more of the documents for remote review by a reviewer lacking access to the repository; and

an import tool for importing decisions of the reviewer back into the repository thereby enabling electronic integration of remotely made decisions into the repository.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the system further includes an electronic decision tool for remote use by the reviewer, the decision tool enabling the reviewer to electronically record decisions about the documents.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the electronic decision tool contains electronic copies of the documents for review thereby enabling the reviewer to electronically review the documents with the decision tool without having access to the documents in the repository.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the electronic decision tool contains a list of decisions requested of the reviewer for each of the documents.

5. The system of claim 2 wherein the electronic decision tool contains a list of decisions requested of the reviewer for each of the documents and a selection tool for electronically recording the requested decisions thereby enabling the reviewer to electronically record the requested decisions into the decision tool for transmission back to the repository.

6. The system of claim 2 wherein the electronic decision tool contains a set of computer instructions for enabling the reviewer to electronically review the documents and electronically record decisions related to the documents and to create an electronic decisions file for return to a system user for electronic integration into the repository.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the import tool identifies discrepancies between decisions requested of the reviewer and decisions made by the reviewer thereby enabling a system user to electronically identify discrepancies between the imported decisions and the decisions requested of the reviewer.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the export tool enables a system user to transmit electronic copies of the documents from the repository to the reviewer.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the repository contains prior decisions on the documents and wherein the import tool electronically identifies conflicts between the prior decisions and the review decisions being imported into the repository thereby enabling a system user to easily identify conflicts between the prior decisions and the review decisions.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the export tool is for identifying one or more decisions requested of the reviewer for the documents and the import tool is for enabling a system user to identify imported decisions from the reviewer having discrepancies with requested decisions.

11. The system of claim 10 of wherein the discrepancies include one or more of the following:

failing to make the requested decisions, and partially making the requested decisions.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the repository contains prior decisions for the documents and wherein the system includes a report tool for enabling a system user to identify conflicts between imported decisions from the reviewer and prior decisions in the repository.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the system includes a report tool for enabling a system user to run one or more reports related to decisions on the documents.

14. A system for electronically managing remote review of documents for legal purposes comprising:

a repository of electronically stored documents;

an export tool for exporting one or more of the documents for remote review by a reviewer lacking access to the repository; and

an import tool for importing decisions of the reviewer back into the repository and electronically associating decisions back to the documents, whereby remotely made review decisions can be electronically integrated into the repository without the reviewer having access to the repository.

15. A system for electronically managing remote review of documents for legal purposes comprising:

a repository of electronically stored documents;

an export tool for identifying one or more of the documents for remote review by a reviewer lacking access to the repository;

a decision tool transmittable to the reviewer for remote stand-alone use, the decision tool including electronic copies of the documents for remote review and a set of computer instructions for the review thereby enabling the reviewer to electronically review documents and electronically record decisions about the documents in an electronic decision file;

an import tool for importing the electronic decision file back into the repository, the import tool for electronically associating decisions with their respective documents in the repository, whereby documents can be remotely reviewed and remote decisions can be electronically integrated into the repository.

16. A system for electronically managing remote review of documents for legal purposes comprising:

a repository of electronically stored documents;

an export tool for identifying one or more of the documents for remote review by a reviewer lacking access to the repository;

a decision tool transmittable to the reviewer for remote stand-alone use, the decision tool enabling the reviewer to electronically record decisions about the documents; and

an import tool for importing decisions of the reviewer back into the repository as recorded by the reviewer via the decision tool, the import tool electronically associating decisions with their respective documents, whereby remotely made decisions can be electronically integrated into the repository without the remote reviewer having access to the repository.

17. A system for electronically managing remote review of documents for legal purposes comprising:

a repository of electronically stored documents, and an electronic decision tool containing a copy of the electronically stored documents from the repository and a set of computer instructions for enabling the reviewer to electronically review the documents and electronically record decisions related to the documents in the decision tool, the decision tool for enabling the remote reviewer to create an electronic decision file for return to a system user for electronic integration into the repository.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the system includes an export tool for exporting documents and creating the decision tool;

and an import tool for importing the electronic decision file into the repository thereby enabling electronic review and integration of remotely made decisions into the repository.

19. The system of claim 17 wherein the decision tool contains a list of requested decisions from the remote reviewer and the system further includes an import tool enabling the system user to identify discrepancies between decisions requested of the reviewer in the decision tool and decisions made by the reviewer in the decision file thereby enabling the system user to electronically recognize discrepancies between the imported decisions and the decisions requested of the reviewer.

20. The system of claim 17 wherein the repository contains prior decisions on the documents and wherein the system includes an import tool for electronically identifying conflicts between the prior decisions and the review decisions imported from the decision file thereby enabling the system user to identify conflicts between the prior decisions and the review decisions.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein the system includes a resolution tool for enabling the system user to electronically resolve conflicts between the imported and prior decisions on the documents.

22. The system of claim 17 wherein the electronically recorded decisions include one of more of the following:

produce, do not produce, protect, do not protect, propose privilege, and do not propose privilege.

23. A method for electronically managing remote review of documents for legal purposes, the method comprising:

having one or more documents electronically stored in a repository;

transmitting one or more copies of the electronic documents stored in the repository for a remote review;

receiving one or more electronic review decisions on the documents in response to the remote review; and

associating the electronic review decisions with the electronic documents stored in the repository.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the method further includes transmitting copies of the documents to multiple reviewers for multiple review decisions.

25. The method of claim 23 including the repository having prior decisions stored therein and further including the step of electronically identifying conflicts between the prior decisions and the review decisions when the review decisions are being associated to the electronic documents stored in the repository.

26. The method of claim 23 further including the repository having prior decisions stored therein and further including the step of electronically identifying and resolving conflicts between the prior decisions and the received review decisions when the received review decisions are being associated with the electronic documents stored in the repository.

27. The method of claim 23 further including the step of identifying the requested remote review decisions and electronically identifying conflicts between the requested review decisions and the received review decisions from the reviewer.

28. The method of claim 23 further including the step of creating an electronic file identifying the documents for remote review and the decisions requested prior to transmitting the copies of the documents for remote review.

29. The method of claim 23 further including the step of electronically generating a status report on the remote review.

30. The method of claim 23 further including the step of generating a stand-alone set of computer instructions and files enabling the remote reviewer to electronically review documents, record decisions, and create a decision file being loadable into the repository and automatically associating the decisions with the electronic documents.

31. The method of claim 23 wherein the transmitting occurs at a first location and the remote review decisions are made at a second location.

32. The method of claim 23 wherein the transmission occurs by loading electronic copies of the documents onto a portable electronic storage device.

33. The method of claim 23 further comprising transmitting a decision tool with the copies of the documents, the decision tool including computer instructions for performing the remote review.

34. The method of claim 23 wherein the copy of the electronic documents includes a composite document and the decision is applied to one of the entire composite document or to a sub-component thereof.