An example of a legal tool used to gather facts before a trial is called what?

The correct answer is "discovery." Discovery is a formal legal process used in pre-trial settings to gather evidence and information from both parties involved in a lawsuit. It allows the parties to obtain pertinent documents, take depositions, and request various forms of evidence to better prepare for trial. The goal of discovery is to ensure that both sides have access to essential information related to the case, promoting transparency and the fair exchange of evidence.

While deposition, subpoena, and interrogatory are also critical components of the legal process, they serve specific functions within the broader context of discovery. A deposition involves witness testimony taken under oath, typically outside the courtroom; a subpoena is a legal document that orders someone to appear in court or produce evidence; and an interrogatory consists of written questions that one party sends to another, which must be answered in writing. All these tools are methods utilized within the discovery phase, but discovery encompasses the overarching process of gathering all relevant facts and materials.