Evidence discovery system was formed in the 19th century in Britain. The American Federal Rules of Civil Procedure in 1938 made the system codified and since then it has attracted the attention of all countries. The article defines the basic connotation of the civil evidence discovery system and points out that its function is to prevent evidence attack, to collect and fix evidence, to clear controversial points and to promote the reconciliation before the trial. By tracing the progress of the emergence and development of the British and American civil evidence discovery system, and investigating its operation present situation from the evidence discovery system's scope, restrictions, modes and sanctions, the article finally draws inspiration to improve China's evidence exchange system, in that we can optimize the system from the scope of evidence exchanged, exceptions and forms of evidence exchange system, sanctions against violations of evidence exchange procedure.