document

Any material containing marks, symbols, or signs visible, partially visible, or invisible (to the naked eye) that may ultimately convey meaning or a message. (Kelly, Lindblom) NOTE This definition of a document is broad; it extends to electronic documents, including e-mail and other electronic communications, word processed documents and databases. In addition to documents that are readily accessible from computer systems and other electronic devices and media, the definition covers those documents that are stored on servers and back-up systems and electronic documents that have been 'deleted'; it also extends to additional information stored and associated with electronic documents known as metadata. (Practice Direction 31A - Disclosure and Inspection UK)