What is a MD5#?
Put simply, a MD5# is a string of letters and numbers that can be used to identify exact duplicate documents.
Think of it like a person’s DNA, it is the DNA of an electronic file.
The # is generated when ingesting documents into a litigation database based on a selection of different fields in the database.
Why do you use it and is it important?
When documents are ingested into the litigation database, the MD5# identifies and removes exact duplicates reducing the number of documents lawyers need to review.
When drafting your document management protocol for electronic discovery, it is recommended that you include a requirement to exchange the ‘MD5#’ field.
This is so you can easily identify duplicate documents from your client’s dataset against discovery received from other parties and then you only need to review the unique documents.
The bottom line
Using this field, you won’t have to review as many documents!
eDiscovery Collab’s team can use this field to work out what documents you have received from the other side that you have not yet reviewed or seen before.
Be aware that different litigation databases use different fields to generate their MD5# value.
Luckily for you, eDiscovery Collab’s team can handle this hurdle – just call us to discuss.
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