During the processing of documents, when are filters applied according to the processing engine?

The application of filters during the processing of documents is a critical aspect of managing how information is identified and handled within a processing engine. Filters serve to refine and narrow down the data set to only the most relevant documents before they proceed through the later stages of processing.

When filters are applied during discovery, they help in determining which documents should be analyzed in detail based on specific criteria or keywords. This is vital for focusing resources and attention on the most pertinent documents, ensuring that the review and analysis stages are efficient and effective.

Applying filters in this phase allows for more accurate and targeted processing, which ultimately aids in the litigation process. It is essential to analyze documents that are most likely to yield useful evidence or insights related to the case at hand, which is precisely what occurs during the discovery phase.

In contrast, the other stages mentioned do not involve the filtering process in the same way. For example, before the inventory stage, documents have not yet been formally categorized, making it impractical to apply filters. Similarly, filtering does not occur after processing is complete, as the purpose of filtering is to influence the processing itself, not to change the outcome after the fact. Thus, the timing of filter application during discovery is both logical and necessary to achieve a streamlined and