(This device is also referred to as a "notice of discovery and inspection"). The demand must define the items sought with reasonable particularity.In many civil actions, before the case is resolved there takes place a process known as pretrial discovery. This summary describes the process. CPLR 3120: Discovery and production of documents and things for inspection, testing, copying or photographing. This guide is intended to be a summary of basic discovery procedures. Each of these Parts is further divided into two sections: discovery in federal cases and discovery in New York state cases. B. Civil Discovery. 1. Introduction. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, that pursuant to Rule 3120 of the Civil Practice Law and Rules,. Discovery. Discovery is a distinct phase in the trial process.