1) In court proceedings, a request is when a party asks the court or opposing counsel to act, demands a right, or asks a question. For example, under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure Rule 34, a party may serve a request to produce discovery on the opposing party. If the opposing party fails to respond to the request, then the party requesting the production of discovery may obtain a subpoena for production under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure Rule 45.
2) In Parliament, a request is a motion by a member to invoke a right or raise an inquiry.
[Last updated in April of 2021 by the Wex Definitions Team]