Opinion
No. 03 Civ. 3573 (LTS) (RLE).
June 7, 2006
OPINION AND ORDER
I. INTRODUCTION
Plaintiff Reino de España ("Spain") brings this case — arising from the casualty and sinking of the Prestige off the coast of Spain in 2002 — against American Bureau of Shipping ("ABS"), and other defendants. By letter dated June 7, 2006, Spain asks the Court to order the production of financial records from ABS. For the reasons which follow, Spain's request is DENIED.
II. DISCUSSION
The scope of discovery is generally limited to any matter, not privileged, which is relevant to the subject matter involved in the pending action or appears reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence. Rule 26(b), Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. "Relevancy is broadly construed to encompass any matter that bears on, or that reasonably could lead to other matter that could bear on, any issue that is or may be in the case." Crey v. Berisford Metals Corp., 1991 WL 44843, at *7 (S.D.N.Y. 1991) (citation omitted).Spain maintains that the contested financial records are relevant to its claim that ABS diverted revenue and resources, thus failing to adequately address surveyor training and staffing deficiency concerns. ABS argues that the contested records are simply not relevantand unnecessary at the liability stage of the litigation. Whether ABS' alleged training and staffing deficiencies are the result of revenue being diverted to executive compensation, retirement plans, or any other area for that matter, is not relevant to this case. This litigation concerns the design, construction, operation, maintenance, and inspection of the Prestige. Discovery in this case should be limited to records containing information relating to the allegations in the complaint and the circumstances surrounding the Prestige casually, and should not include unrelated records, or detailed financial information from ABS, especially at the liability stage of the litigation. Spain's request for an order directing ABS to produce the contested records is, therefore, DENIED.