Map issues to facts, not folders
List the elements that must be established and the facts supporting or contradicting each one. Then identify documents, data and witnesses for every issue. This reduces broad collection and exposes evidence gaps early.
Identify custodians and systems
Include employees, former staff, advisers, counterparties and service providers. Map email, chat, phones, cloud drives, accounting tools, access logs and paper files, including personal devices used for business where lawful and relevant.
Record country and control
For each source, note physical location, hosting region, legal controller, access permissions, retention and export concerns. UAE federal or free-zone privacy regimes and foreign rules may affect collection and transfer.
Preserve with integrity
Suspend relevant deletion, retain originals, log collections and restrict handling. Technical evidence may require forensic support. Avoid altering metadata by casually forwarding, exporting or opening source files.
Design for the likely forum
Court, arbitration, regulator and internal decision-making processes can demand different formats and authentication. Align collection and translation with the likely destination while retaining flexibility if forum questions remain open.
Working checklist
- Issue and element matrix
- Custodian and witness list
- System, device and account inventory
- Country, controller and retention map
- Preservation and collection log
- Privilege and confidentiality review
- Translation and authentication plan
- Forum-specific production plan