Cost estimations in an electronic discovery system

A method for generating an invoice for an electronic discovery (e-discovery) request, the method comprising:

• determining, via a computing device processor, a finite cost associated with tasks related to an e-discovery request and performed to date;
• determining, via a computing device processor, an estimated cost associated with tasks related to the e-discovery request and yet to be performed;
• determining, via a computing device processor, a dynamic cost estimate based on the finite cost and the estimated cost;
• and
• generating, via a computing device processor, an invoice associated with the e-discovery request that includes the dynamic cost estimate.

An apparatus for estimating cost associated with performing an electronic discovery (e-discovery) request, the apparatus comprising:

• a computing platform including a processor and a memory;
• an e-discovery request application stored in the memory, executable by the processor and configured to receive requests to perform one or more e-discovery tasks, wherein the requests define criteria for performing the one or more e-discovery tasks;
• and
• an e-discovery cost estimation application stored in the memory, executable by the processor and configured to determine a cost estimate for the request based on the criteria for performing the one or more e-discovery tasks.

An apparatus for generating an invoice for an electronic discovery (e-discovery) request, the apparatus comprising:

• a computing platform including a processor and a memory;
• an e-discovery cost estimation application stored in the memory, executable by the processor and configured to determine a finite cost associated with performed-to-date tasks related to a e-discovery request, determine an estimated cost associated with yet-to-be performed tasks related to the e-discovery request and determine a dynamic cost estimate based on the finite cost and the estimated cost;
• and
• an e-discovery invoice application stored in the memory, executable by the processor and configured to generate an invoice associated with the e-discovery request that includes the dynamic cost estimate.

A computer program product comprising:

• a computer-readable medium comprising:
• a first set of codes for causing a computer to receive a request to perform one or more e-discovery tasks, wherein the request includes criteria for performing the one or more e-discovery tasks;
• a second set of codes for causing a computer to determine a cost estimate for the request based on the criteria for performing the one or more e-discovery tasks;
• and
• a third set of codes for causing a computer to store the cost estimate in memory.