Just the specter of what might come out in this process, or the astronomical costs of discovery, regularly forces defendants to the negotiating table to settle otherwise winnable cases.
Patton Boggs joined the lawsuit by Ecuadorean villagers suing Chevron over toxic drilling waste in the Amazonian jungle last year, but has been stymied in efforts to drag the global oil giant to the bargaining table to settle.
Mike Newell's Hartlepool, who spent a lengthy period of the season leading the table, have to settle for second spot but at least have the consolation of promotion.