Civil Litigation

The Notice of Deposition has the same force of a subpoena - with the exception of:  If the deponent (which would be the defendant)  is out of state or if the deponent is a NON-Party.

For the out of state deponent (defendant) and the non-party deponent you need the Notice of Deposition and a Subpoena

The deponent is required to travel within 100 miles from where the Notice of Deposition and/or Subpoena is served (home, work, anywhere the deponent is doing business - such as a bank)

Engrossing is the method of answering interrogatories by repeating the question prior to answering the quesiton.

Redacting is the method of blacking out confidential information before handing discovery information over to the opposing party. 

• Never mark on the original
• Make two copies oof the document to be redacted
• black out privledged or confidential information
• retain original and redacted document in file

You can redact by physically viewing each piece of paper and blacking out the information (NOT on the original) and then photo copying the page, as you can often see through what has been blacked out.  You can also use a computer program to redact a document.  This works by the program seeking particular words.

"Substantialy the same for the person asking as for the person answering the interrogatory"

To perpetuate testimony

Oral deposition

Deposition upon written questions

Documents (emails, text)  ** The documents must be in the possession of the PARTY whom the request is made of**

Entry to Desgnated Land (to survey land, make map to explain entry) ** The land must be in the control of the PARTY whom the request is being made of**

Tangible Items (breadmaker, bat) ** must be in the custody, possession and control of the PARTY to whom the request is made **


Do not list 3 types of documents on Exam!

Used to produce, inspect and copy, test or sample, measure or survey

must be in a reasonable time and manner 

must subpoena non-parties.

• 1. must be in writing (in court it is put in writing by the court reporter)
• 2. must state the grounds with particularity
• 3. the motion must include the relief sought

No, they can not.

• Narrow issues for trial
• Avoid surprise
• Assess credibility of witness
• Reveal strengths and weaknesses
• Promote settlement
• Preserve evidence
• Promote consistency

• Atty/client
• Husband/Wife
• Doctor/patient
• Pastor/Clergy

• Draft questions
• Prepare deponents
• Schedule depositions
• Create an abstract of the transcripts (results in an abstract of 1/10th of the original)
• Take notes
• Locate the deponent

• What they don't have the ability to do:
• can't ask questions
• can't give the answers

This is a written request to admit or deny statement

Respond or else it is is an automatic admission

Parties only

Makes it so that you don't have to go through the process in court and don't need to go through the authentication process.

You have a response  to a request to admission - not an answer.