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V. Depositions and Discovery
- Discovery methods. — Parties may obtain discovery by one or more of the following methods: depositions upon oral examination or written questions; written interrogatories; production of documents or things or permission to enter upon land or other property for inspection and other purposes; physical and mental examination; and requests for admission.
- Discovery scope and limits. — Unless otherwise limited by order of the court in accordance with these rules, the scope of discovery is as follows:
- In general. — Parties may obtain discovery regarding any matter, not privileged, which is relevant to the subject matter involved in the pending action, whether it relates to the claim or defense of the party seeking discovery or to the claim or defense of any other party, including the existence, description, nature, custody, condition and location of any books, documents or other tangible things and the identity and location of persons having knowledge of any discoverable matter. It is not ground for objection that the information sought will be inadmissible at the trial if the information sought appears reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence.
The frequency or extent of use of the discovery methods set forth in subdivision (a) shall be limited by the court if it determines that:- The discovery sought is unreasonably cumulative or duplicative or is obtainable from some other source that is more convenient, less burdensome, or less expensive;
- The party seeking discovery has had ample opportunity by discovery in the action to obtain the information sought; or
- The discovery is unduly burdensome or expensive, taking into account the needs of the case, the amount in controversy, limitations on the parties’ resources, and the importance of the issues at stake in the litigation.
The court may act upon its own initiative after reasonable notice or pursuant to a motion under subdivision (c).
- Insurance agreements. — A party may obtain discovery of the existence and contents of any insurance agreement under which any person carrying on an insurance business may be liable to satisfy part or all of a judgment which may be entered in the action or to indemnify or reimburse for payments made to satisfy the judgment. Information concerning the insurance agreement is not by reason of disclosure admissible in evidence at trial. For purposes of this paragraph, an application for insurance shall not be treated as part of an insurance agreement.
- Trial preparation: materials. — Subject to the provisions of subdivision (b)(4) of this rule, a party may obtain discovery of documents and tangible things otherwise discoverable under subdivision (b)(1) of this rule and prepared in anticipation of litigation or for trial by or for another party or by or for that other party’s representative (including the party’s attorney, consultant, surety, indemnitor, insurer, or agent) only upon a showing that the party seeking discovery has substantial need of the materials in the preparation of the party’s case and that the party is unable without undue hardship to obtain the substantial equivalent of the materials by other means. In ordering discovery of such materials when the required showing has been made, the court shall protect against disclosure of the mental impressions, conclusions, opinions, or legal theories of an attorney or other representative of a party concerning the litigation.
A party may obtain without the required showing a statement concerning the action or its subject matter previously made by that party. Upon request, a person not a party may obtain without the required showing a statement concerning the action or its subject matter previously made by that person. If the request is refused, the person may move for a court order. The provisions of Rule 37(a)(4) apply to the award of expenses incurred in relation to the motion. For purposes of this paragraph, a statement previously made is:- A written statement signed or otherwise adopted or approved by the person making it; or
- A stenographic, mechanical, electrical, or other recording, or a transcription thereof, which is a substantially verbatim recital of an oral statement by the person making it and contemporaneously recorded.
- Trial preparation: experts. — Discovery of facts known and opinions held by experts, otherwise discoverable under the provisions of subdivision (b)(1) of this rule and acquired or developed in anticipation of litigation or for trial, may be obtained only as follows:
- A party may through interrogatories require any other party to identify each person whom the other party expects to call as an expert witness at trial, to state the subject matter on which the expert is expected to testify, and to state the substance of the facts and opinions to which the expert is expected to testify and a summary of the grounds for each opinion.
- A party may depose any person who has been identified as an expert whose opinions may be presented at trial.
- A party may discover facts known or opinions held by an expert who has been retained or specially employed by another party in anticipation of litigation or preparation for trial and who is not expected to be called as a witness at trial, only as provided in Rule 35(b) or upon a showing of exceptional circumstances under which it is impracticable for the party seeking discovery to obtain facts or opinions on the same subject by other means.
- Unless manifest injustice would result:
- The court shall require that the party seeking discovery pay the expert a reasonable fee for time spent in responding to discovery under subdivisions (b)(4)(A)(ii) and (b)(4)(B) of this rule; and
- With respect to discovery obtained under subdivision (b)(4)(A)(ii) of this rule the court may require, and with respect to discovery obtained under subdivision (b)(4)(B) of this rule the court shall require, the party seeking discovery to pay the other party a fair portion of the fees and expenses reasonably incurred by the latter party in obtaining facts and opinions from the expert.
- In general. — Parties may obtain discovery regarding any matter, not privileged, which is relevant to the subject matter involved in the pending action, whether it relates to the claim or defense of the party seeking discovery or to the claim or defense of any other party, including the existence, description, nature, custody, condition and location of any books, documents or other tangible things and the identity and location of persons having knowledge of any discoverable matter. It is not ground for objection that the information sought will be inadmissible at the trial if the information sought appears reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence.
- Protective orders. — Upon motion by a party or by the person from whom discovery is sought, including a certification that the movant has in good faith conferred or attempted to confer with other affected parties in an effort to resolve the dispute without court action, and for good cause shown, the court in which the action is pending or alternatively, on matters relating to a deposition, the court in the circuit where the deposition is to be taken may make any order which justice requires to protect a party or person from annoyance, embarrassment, oppression, or undue burden or expense, including one or more of the following:
- That the discovery not be had;
- That the discovery may be had only on specified terms and conditions, including a designation of the time or place;
- That the discovery may be had only by a method of discovery other than that selected by the party seeking discovery;
- That certain matters not be inquired into or that the scope of the discovery be limited to certain matters;
- That discovery be conducted with no one present except persons designated by the court;
- That a deposition after being sealed be opened only by order of the court;
- That a trade secret or other confidential research, development, or commercial information not be disclosed or be disclosed only in a designated way;
- That the parties simultaneously file specified documents or information enclosed in sealed envelopes to be open as directed by the court.
If the motion for a protective order is denied in whole or in part, the court may, on such terms and conditions as are just, order that any party or person provide or permit discovery. The provisions of Rule 37(a)(4) apply to the award of expenses incurred in relation to the motion.
- Timing and sequence of discovery. — Unless the court upon motion, for the convenience of parties and witnesses and in the interests of justice, orders otherwise, methods of discovery may be used in any sequence and the fact that a party is conducting discovery, whether by deposition or otherwise, shall not operate to delay any other party’s discovery.
- Supplementation of responses. — A party who has responded to a request for discovery with a response that was complete when made is under no duty to supplement the response to include information thereafter acquired, except as follows:
- A party is under a duty seasonably to supplement that party’s response with respect to any question directly addressed to:
- The identity and location of persons having knowledge of discoverable matters, and
- The identity of each person expected to be called as an expert witness at trial, the subject matter on which the expert is expected to testify, and the substance of the expert’s testimony.
- A party is under a duty seasonably to amend a prior response if the party obtains information upon the basis of which:
- The party knows that the response was incorrect when made, or,
- The party knows that the response though correct when made is no longer true and the circumstances are such that a failure to amend the response is in substance a knowing concealment.
- A duty to supplement responses may be imposed by order of the court, agreement of the parties, or at any time prior to trial through new requests for supplementation of prior responses.
If supplementation is not made as required by this Rule, the court, upon motion or upon its own initiative, may impose upon the person who failed to make the supplementation an appropriate sanction as provided for under Rule 37.
- A party is under a duty seasonably to supplement that party’s response with respect to any question directly addressed to:
- Discovery conference. — At any time after commencement of an action the court may direct the attorneys for the parties to appear before it personally or by telephone for a conference on the subject of discovery. The court shall do so upon motion by the attorney for any party if the motion includes:
- A statement of the issues as they then appear;
- A proposed plan and schedule of discovery;
- Any limitations proposed to be placed on discovery;
- Any other proposed orders with respect to discovery; and
- A statement showing that the attorney making the motion has made a reasonable effort to reach agreement with opposing attorneys on the matters set forth in the motion. Each party and the party’s attorney are under a duty to participate in good faith in the framing of a discovery plan if a plan is proposed by the attorney for any party. Notice of the motion shall be served on all parties. Objections or additions to matters set forth in the motion shall be served not later than 10 days after service of the motion.
Subject to the right of a party who properly moves for a discovery conference to prompt convening of the conference, the court may combine the discovery conference with a pretrial conference authorized by Rule 16. - Signing of discovery requests, responses, and objections. — Every request for discovery or response or objection thereto made by a party represented by an attorney shall be signed by at least one attorney of record in the attorney’s individual name, whose address shall be stated. An unrepresented party shall sign the request, response, or objection and state the party’s address. The signature of the attorney or party constitutes a certification that the attorney or party has read the request, response, or objection, and that to the best of the attorney’s or party’s knowledge, information, and belief formed after a reasonable inquiry it is:
- Consistent with these rules and warranted by existing law or a good faith argument for the extension, modification, or reversal of existing law;
- Not interposed for any improper purpose, such as to harass or to cause unnecessary delay or needless increase in the cost of litigation; and
- Not unreasonable or unduly burdensome or expensive, given the needs of the case, the discovery already had in the case, the amount in controversy, and the importance of the issues at stake in the litigation.
If without substantial justification a certification is made in violation of the rule, the court, upon motion or upon its own initiative, may impose upon the person who made the certification, the party on whose behalf the request, response, or objection is made, or both, an appropriate sanction, which may include an order to pay the amount of the reasonable expenses incurred because of the violation, including a reasonable attorney’s fee.
- Before action. —
- Petition. — A person who desires to perpetuate his own testimony or that of another person regarding any matter may file a verified petition in any court wherein a complaint might be filed as to such matter or in any court having general civil jurisdiction in the county where any expected adverse party resides.
The petition shall be entitled in the name of the petitioner and shall show: 1, That the petitioner expects that the petitioner, or the petitioner’s personal representative, distributees, heirs, legatees, or devisees will be a party to an action cognizable in any court but is presently unable to bring it or cause it to be brought, 2, the subject matter of the expected action and the petitioner’s interest therein, 3, the facts which the petitioner desires to establish by the proposed testimony and the reasons for desiring to perpetuate it, 4, the names or a description of the persons the petitioner expects will be adverse parties and their addresses so far as known, and 5, the names and addresses of the persons to be examined and the substance of the testimony which the petitioner expects to elicit from each, and shall ask for an order authorizing the petitioner to take the depositions of the persons to be examined named in the petition, for the purpose of perpetuating their testimony. - Notice and service. — The petitioner shall thereafter serve a notice upon each person named in the petition as an expected adverse party, together with a copy of the petition, stating that the petitioner will apply to the court, at a time and place named therein, for the order described in the petition. At least 20 days before the date of hearing the notice shall be served in the manner provided in Rule 4(d) for service of process; but if such service cannot with due diligence be made upon any expected adverse party named in the petition, the court may make such order as is just for service by publication or otherwise, and shall appoint, for persons not served in the manner provided in Rule 4(d), an attorney who shall represent them, and, in case they are not otherwise represented, shall cross-examine the deponent. If any expected adverse party is a minor, incompetent, or convict the provisions of Rule 17(c) apply.
- Order and examination. — If the court is satisfied that the perpetuation of the testimony may prevent a failure or delay of justice, it shall make an order designating or describing the persons whose depositions may be taken and specifying the subject matter of the examination and whether the depositions shall be taken upon oral examination or written interrogatories. The depositions may then be taken in accordance with these rules; and the court may make orders of the character provided for by Rules 34 and 35. For the purpose of applying these rules to depositions for perpetuating testimony, each reference therein to the court in which the action is pending shall be deemed to refer to the court in which the petition for such deposition was filed.
- Use of deposition. — If a deposition to perpetuate testimony is taken under these rules, or if, although not so taken, it would be admissible in a federal district court, it may be used in any action involving the same subject matter subsequently brought in any court of this State, in accordance with the provisions of Rule 32(a).
- Petition. — A person who desires to perpetuate his own testimony or that of another person regarding any matter may file a verified petition in any court wherein a complaint might be filed as to such matter or in any court having general civil jurisdiction in the county where any expected adverse party resides.
- Pending appeal. — If an appeal has been granted from a judgment of any court or before the granting of an appeal if the time for filing a petition for an appeal has not expired, the court in which the judgment was rendered may allow the taking of the depositions of witnesses to perpetuate their testimony for use in the event of further proceedings in such court. In such case the party who desires to perpetuate the testimony may make a motion for leave to take the depositions, upon the same notice and service thereof as if the action were pending. The motion shall show (1) the names and addresses of persons to be examined and the substance of the testimony which the party expects to elicit from each; (2) the reasons for perpetuating their testimony. If the court finds that the perpetuation of the testimony is proper to avoid a failure or delay of justice, it may make an order allowing the depositions to be taken and may make orders of the character provided for by Rules 34 and 35, and thereupon the depositions may be taken and used in further proceedings in the action in the same manner and under the same conditions as are prescribed in these rules for depositions taken in actions pending in the court.
- Perpetuation by action. — This rule does not limit the power of a court to entertain an action to perpetuate testimony.
- Within the United States. — Within the United States or within a territory or insular possession subject to the dominion of the United States, depositions shall be taken before an officer authorized to administer oaths by the laws of the United States or of this State or of the place where the examination is held, or before a person appointed by the court in which the action is pending. A person so appointed has power to administer oaths and take testimony. The term officer as used in Rules 30, 31, and 32 includes a person appointed by the court or designated by the parties under Rule 29.
- In foreign countries. — Depositions may be taken in a foreign country (1) pursuant to any applicable treaty or convention, or (2) pursuant to a letter of request (whether or not captioned a letter rogatory), or (3) on notice before a person authorized to administer oaths in the place in which the examination is held, either by the law thereof or by the law of the United States or of this State, or (4) before a person commissioned by the court, and a person so commissioned shall have the power by virtue of the commission to administer any necessary oath and take testimony. A commission or a letter of request shall be issued on application and notice and on terms that are just and appropriate. It is not requisite to the issuance of a commission or a letter of request that the taking of the deposition in any other manner is impracticable or inconvenient; and both a commission and a letter of request may be issued in proper cases. A notice or commission may designate the person before whom the deposition is to be taken either by name or descriptive title. A letter of request may be addressed 'To the Appropriate Authority in [here name the country].' When a letter of request or any other device is used pursuant to any applicable treaty or convention, it shall be captioned in the form prescribed by that treaty or convention. Evidence obtained in response to a letter of request need not be excluded merely for the reason that it is not a verbatim transcript or that the testimony was not taken under oath or for any similar departure from the requirements for depositions taken within the State under these rules.
- Disqualification for interest. — No deposition shall be taken before a person who is a relative or employee or attorney or counsel of any of the parties, or is a relative or employee of such attorney or counsel, or is financially interested in the action.
- Depositions for use in foreign jurisdictions. — Whenever the deposition of any person is to be taken in this State pursuant to the laws of another state or of the United States or of another country for use in proceedings there, any court having general civil jurisdiction in the county wherein the deponent resides or is employed or transacts his business in person may, upon petition, make an order directing issuance of a subpoena as provided in Rule 45, in aid of the taking of the deposition.
- Deposition procedure. — Unless the court orders otherwise, the parties may agree that depositions may be taken before any person, at any time or place, upon any notice, and in any manner and when so taken may be used like other depositions.
- Modification of scheduling order and discovery procedures or limitations. — Unless the Court orders otherwise, a scheduling order may be modified only as follows:
- Time limits set forth in a scheduling order for the joinder of other parties, amendment of pleadings, filing of motions, and completion of discovery, and any date or dates set forth therein for conferences before trial, a final pretrial conference, and for trial may be modified for cause by order of the court.
- Subject to paragraph (3), stipulations to modify discovery procedures or limitations will be valid and will be enforced as if established by order of the court, provided the stipulations are in writing, signed by the parties making them or their counsel, timely filed with the clerk of the court, and do not affect the time limits specified in subparagraph (1).
- A private agreement to extend discovery beyond the discovery completion date as set in a scheduling order will be respected by the court if the extension does not affect the other time limits specified in subparagraph (1). A discovery dispute which arises from such a private agreement to extend discovery beyond a discovery completion date need not, however, be resolved by the court.
- When depositions may be taken; when leave required. — After commencement of the action, any party may take the testimony of any person, including a party, by deposition upon oral examination. Leave of court, granted with or without notice, must be obtained only if the plaintiff seeks to take a deposition prior to the expiration of 30 days after service of the summons and complaint upon any defendant or service made under Rule 4(e), except that leave is not required (1) if a defendant has served a notice of taking deposition or otherwise sought discovery, or (2) if special notice is given as provided in subdivision (b)(2) of this rule. The attendance of witnesses may be compelled by subpoena as provided in Rule 45. The deposition of a person confined in prison may be taken only by leave of court on such terms as the court prescribes.
- Notice of examination: General requirements; special notice; method of recordings; production of documents and things; deposition of organization; deposition by telephone. —
- A party desiring to take the deposition of any person upon oral examination shall give reasonable notice in writing to every other party to the action. The notice shall state the time and place for taking the deposition and the name and address of each person to be examined, if known, and, if the name is not known, a general description sufficient to identify the person or the particular class or group to which the person belongs. If a subpoena duces tecum is to be served on the person to be examined, the designation of the materials to be produced as set forth in the subpoena shall be attached to or included in the notice.
- Leave of court is not required for the taking of a deposition by plaintiff if the notice (A) states that the person to be examined is expected to leave the State and be unavailable for examination in this State unless deposed before expiration of the 30-day period, and (B) sets forth facts to support the statement. The plaintiff’s attorney shall sign the notice, and the attorney’s signature constitutes a certification by the attorney that to the best of the attorney’s knowledge, information, and belief the statement and supporting facts are true. The sanctions provided by Rule 11 are applicable to the certification.
If a party shows that when the party was served with notice under this subdivision (b)(2) the party was unable through the exercise of diligence to obtain counsel to represent the party at the taking of the deposition, the deposition may not be used against the party. - The party taking the deposition shall state in the notice the method by which the testimony shall be recorded. Unless the court orders otherwise, it may be recorded by sound, sound-and-visual, or stenographic means, and the party taking the deposition shall bear the cost of the recording. any party may arrange for a transcription to be made from the recording of a deposition taken by nonstenographic means.
- With prior notice to the deponent and other parties, any party may designate another method to record the deponent’s testimony in addition to the method specified by the person taking the deposition. The additional record or transcript shall be made at that party’s expense unless the court otherwise orders.
- Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, a deposition shall be conducted before an officer appointed or designated under Rule 28 and shall begin with a statement on the record by the officer that includes (A) the officer’s name and business address; (B) the date, time, and place of the deposition; (C) the name of the deponent; (D) the administration of the oath or affirmation to the deponent; and (E) an identification of all persons present. If the deposition is recorded other than stenographically, the officer shall repeat items (A) through (C) at the beginning to each unit of recorded tape or other recording medium. The appearance or demeanor of the deponents or attorneys shall not be distorted through camera or sound-recording techniques. At the end of the deposition, the officer shall state on the record that the deposition is complete and shall set forth any stipulations made by counsel concerning the custody of the transcript or recording and the exhibits, or concerning other pertinent matters.
- The notice to a party deponent may be accompanied by a request made in compliance with Rule 34 for the production of documents and tangible things at the taking of the deposition. The procedure of Rule 34 shall apply to the request.
- A party may in a notice and in a subpoena name as the deponent a public or private corporation or a partnership or association or governmental agency and describe with reasonable particularity the matters on which examination is requested. In that event, the organization so named shall designate one or more officers, directors, or managing agents, or other persons who consent to testify on its behalf, and may set forth, for each person designated, the matters on which the person will testify. A subpoena shall advise a non-party organization of its duty to make such a designation. The persons so designated shall testify as to matters known or reasonably available to the organization. This subdivision does not preclude taking a deposition by any other procedure authorized in these rules.
- The parties may stipulate in writing or the court may upon motion order that a deposition be taken by telephone or other remote electronic means. For the purposes of this rule and Rules 28(a), 37(a)(1), 37(b)(1) and 45(d), a deposition taken by telephone is taken in the state and at the place where the deponent is to answer questions propounded to the deponent.
- Examination and cross-examination; record of examination; oath; objections. — Examination and cross-examination of witnesses may proceed as permitted at the trial under the provisions of the West Virginia Rules of Evidence. The officer before whom the deposition is to be taken shall put the witness on oath and shall personally, or by someone acting under the officer’s direction and in the officer’s presence, record the testimony of the witness. The testimony shall be taken stenographically or recorded by any other means ordered in accordance with subdivision (b)(3) of this rule.
- Schedule and duration; motion to terminate or limit examination. —
- Any objection to evidence during a deposition shall be stated concisely and in a non-argumentative and non-suggestive manner. A party may instruct a deponent not to answer only when necessary to preserve a privilege, to enforce a limitation on evidence directed by the court, or to present a motion under paragraph (3).
- By order or local rule, the court may limit the time permitted for the conduct of a deposition, but shall allow additional time consistent with Rules 26(b)(1) if needed for a fair examination of the deponent or if the deponent to another party impedes or delays the examination. If the court finds such an impediment, delay, or other conduct that has frustrated the fair examination of the deponent, it may impose upon the persons responsible an appropriate sanction, including the reasonable costs and attorney’s fees incurred by any parties as a result thereof.
- At any time during the taking of the deposition, on motion of a party or of the deponent and upon a showing that the examination is being conducted in bad faith or in such manner as unreasonably to annoy, embarrass, or oppress the deponent or party, the court in which the action is pending or the circuit court of the county where the deposition is being taken may order the officer conducting the examination to cease forthwith from taking the deposition, or may limit the scope and manner of the taking of the deposition as provided in Rule 26(c). If the order made terminates the examination, it shall be resumed thereafter only upon the order of the court in which the action is pending. Upon demand of the objecting party or deponent the taking of the deposition shall be suspended for the time necessary to make a motion for an order. The provisions of Rule 37(a)(4) apply to the award of expenses incurred in relation to the motion.
- Review by witness; changes; signing. — If requested by the deponent or a party before completion of the deposition, the deponent shall have 30 days after being notified by the officer that the transcript or recording is available in which to review the transcript or recording and, if there are changes in form or substance, to sign a statement reciting such changes and the reasons given by the deponent for making them. The officer shall indicate in the certificate prescribed by subdivision (f)(1) whether any review was requested and, if so, shall append any changes made by the deponent during the period allowed.
- Certification and filing by officer; exhibits; copies; notice of filing. —
- The officer shall certify that the witness was duly sworn by the officer and that the deposition is a true record of the testimony given by the witness. This certificate shall be in writing and accompany the record of the deposition. Unless otherwise ordered by the court, the officer shall securely seal the deposition in an envelope or package endorsed with the title of the action and marked ‘‘Deposition of [here insert name of witness]’’ and shall promptly file it with the court in which the action is pending or send it to the attorney who arranged for the transcript or recording, who shall store in under conditions that will protect it against loss, destruction, tampering, or deterioration.
Documents and things produced for inspection during the examination of the witness shall, upon the request of a party, be marked for identification and annexed to the deposition and may be inspected and copied by any party, except that if the person producing the materials desires to retain them that person may:- Offer copies to be marked for identification and annexed to the depositions and to serve thereafter as originals if the person affords to all parties fair opportunity to verify the copies by comparison with the originals, or
- Offer the originals to be marked for identification, after giving to each party an opportunity to inspect and copy them, in which event the materials may then be used in the same manner as if annexed to the deposition.
Any party may move for an order that the original be annexed to and returned with the deposition to the court, pending final disposition of the case.
- Unless ordered otherwise by the court or agreed by the parties, the officer shall retain stenographic notes of any deposition taken stenographically or a copy of the recording of any deposition taken by another method. Upon payment of reasonable charges therefor, the officer shall furnish a copy of the deposition to any party or to the deponent.
- The party taking the deposition shall give prompt notice of its filing to all other parties.
- The officer shall certify that the witness was duly sworn by the officer and that the deposition is a true record of the testimony given by the witness. This certificate shall be in writing and accompany the record of the deposition. Unless otherwise ordered by the court, the officer shall securely seal the deposition in an envelope or package endorsed with the title of the action and marked ‘‘Deposition of [here insert name of witness]’’ and shall promptly file it with the court in which the action is pending or send it to the attorney who arranged for the transcript or recording, who shall store in under conditions that will protect it against loss, destruction, tampering, or deterioration.
- Failure to attend or to serve subpoena; expenses. —
- If the party giving the notice of the taking of a deposition fails to attend and proceed therewith and another party attends in person or by attorney pursuant to the notice, the court may order the party giving the notice to pay to such other party the reasonable expenses incurred by that party and that party’s attorney in attending, including reasonable attorney’s fees.
- If the party giving the notice of the taking of a deposition of a witness fails to serve a subpoena upon the witness and the witness because of such failure does not attend, and if another party attends in person or by attorney because the party expects the deposition of that witness to be taken, the court may order the party giving the notice to pay to such other party the reasonable expenses incurred by that party and that party attorney in attending, including reasonable attorney’s fees.
- Serving questions; notice. —
- A party may take the testimony of any person, including a party, by deposition upon written questions without leave of court except as provided in paragraph (2). The attendance of witnesses may be compelled by the use of subpoena as provided in Rule 45.
- A party must obtain leave of court if the person to be examined is confined in prison or if, without the agreement or written stipulation of the parties, the person to be examined has already been deposed in the case under Rule 30.
- A party desiring to take a deposition upon written questions shall serve them upon every other party with a notice stating (1) the name and address of the person who is to answer them, if known, and if the name is not known, a general description sufficient to identify the person or the particular class or group to which the person belongs, and (2) the name or descriptive title and address of the officer before whom the deposition is to be taken. A deposition upon written questions may be taken of a public or private corporation or a partnership or association or governmental agency in accordance with the provisions of Rule 30(b)(6).
- Within 14 days after the notice and written questions are served, a party may serve cross questions upon all other parties. Within 7 days after being served with cross questions, a party may serve redirect questions upon all other parties. Within 7 days after being served with redirect questions, a party may serve recross questions upon all other parties. The court may for cause shown enlarge or shorten the time.
- Officer to take responses and prepare record. — A copy of the notice and copies of all questions served shall be delivered by the party taking the deposition to the officer designated in the notice, who shall proceed promptly, in the manner provided by Rule 30(c), (e), and (f), to take the testimony of the witness in response to the questions and to prepare, certify, and file or mail the deposition, attaching thereto the copy of the notice and the questions received by the officer.
- Notice of filing. — When the deposition is filed the party taking it shall promptly give notice thereof to all other parties.
- Use of depositions. — At the trial or upon the hearing of a motion or an interlocutory proceeding, any part or all of a deposition, so far as admissible under the rules of evidence applied as though the witness were then present and testifying, may be used against any party who was present or represented at the taking of deposition or who had reasonable notice thereof, in accordance with any of the following provisions:
- Any deposition may be used by any party for the purpose of contradicting or impeaching the testimony of deponent as a witness, or for any other purpose permitted by the West Virginia Rules of Evidence.
- The deposition of a party or of anyone who at the time of taking the deposition was an officer, director, or managing agent, or a person designated under Rule 30(b)(6) or 31(a) to testify on behalf of a public or private corporation, partnership or association or governmental agency which is a party may be used by an adverse party for any purpose.
- The deposition of a witness, whether or not a party, may be used by any party for any purpose if the court finds:
- that the witness is dead; or
- that the witness is out of the state, unless it appears that the absence of the witness was procured by the party offering the deposition; or
- that the witness is unable to attend or testify because of age, illness, infirmity, or imprisonment; or
- that the party offering the deposition has been unable to procure the attendance of the witness by subpoena; or
- upon application and notice, that such exceptional circumstances exist as to make it desirable, in the interest of justice and with due regard to the importance of presenting the testimony of witnesses orally in open court, to allow the deposition to be used.
- If only part of a deposition is offered in evidence by a party, an adverse party may require the offeror to introduce any other parts which ought in fairness to be considered with the part introduced, and any party may introduce any other parts.
- Objections to admissibility. — Subject to the provisions of Rule 28(b) and subdivision (d)(3) of this rule, objection may be made at the trial or hearing to receiving in evidence any deposition or part thereof for any reason which would require the exclusion of the evidence if the witness were then present and testifying.
- Form of presentation. — Except as otherwise directed by the court, a party offering deposition testimony pursuant to this rule may offer it in stenographic or nonstenographic form, but, if in nonstenographic form, the party shall also provide the court with a transcript of the portions so offered On request of any party in a case tried before a jury, deposition testimony offered other than for impeachment purposes shall be presented in nonstenographic form, if available, unless the court for good cause orders otherwise.
- Effect of errors and irregularities in depositions. —
- As to notice. — All errors and irregularities in the notice for taking a deposition are waived unless written objection is promptly served upon the party giving the notice.
- As to disqualification of officer. — Objection to taking a deposition because of disqualification of the officer before whom it is to be taken is waived unless made before the taking of the deposition begins or as soon thereafter as the disqualification becomes known or could be discovered with reasonable diligence.
- As to taking of deposition. —
- Objections to the competency of a witness or to the competency, relevancy, or materiality of testimony are not waived by failure to make them before or during the taking of the deposition, unless the ground of the objection is one which might have been obviated or removed if presented at that time.
- Errors and irregularities occurring at the oral examination in the manner of taking the deposition, in the form of the questions or answers, in the oath or affirmation, or in the conduct of parties, and errors of any kind which might be obviated, removed, or cured if promptly presented, are waived unless seasonable objection thereto is made at the taking of the deposition.
- Objections to the form of written questions submitted under Rule 31 are waived unless served in writing upon the party propounding them within the time allowed for serving the succeeding cross or other questions and within 5 days after service of the last questions authorized.
- As to completion and return of deposition. — Errors and irregularities in the manner in which the testimony is transcribed or the deposition is prepared, signed, certified, sealed, indorsed, transmitted, filed, or otherwise dealt with by the officer under Rules 30 and 31 are waived unless a motion to suppress the deposition or some part thereof is made with reasonable promptness after such defect is, or with due diligence might have been, ascertained.
- Availability. — Without leave of court or written stipulation, any party may serve upon any other party written interrogatories, not exceeding 40 in number including all discrete subparts, to be answered by the party served or, if the party served is a public or private corporation or a partnership or association or governmental agency, by any officer or agent, who shall furnish such information as is available to the party. Leave to serve additional interrogatories shall be granted to the extent consistent with the principles of Rule 26(b).
Interrogatories may, without leave of court, be served upon the plaintiff after commencement of the action and upon any other party with or after service of the summons and complaint upon that party. - Answers and objections. —
- Each interrogatory shall be answered separately and fully in writing under oath, unless it is objected to, in which event the objecting party shall state the reasons for objection and shall answer to the extent the interrogatory is not objectionable.
- The answers are to be signed by the person making them, and the objections signed by the attorney making them.
- The party upon whom the interrogatories have been served shall serve a copy of the answers, and objections if any, within 30 days after the service of the interrogatories, except that a defendant may serve answers or objections within 45 days after the service of the summons and complaint upon that defendant. A shorter or longer time may be directed by the court or, in the absence of such an order, agreed to in writing by the parties subject to Rule 29.
- All grounds for an objection to an interrogatory shall be stated with specificity. Any ground not stated in a timely objection is waived unless the party’s failure to object is excused by the court for good cause shown.
- The party submitting the interrogatories may move for an order under Rule 37(a) with respect to any objection to or other failure to answer an interrogatory.
- Scope; use at trial. — Interrogatories may relate to any matters which can be inquired into under Rule 26(b)(1), and the answers may be used to the extent permitted by the rules of evidence.
An interrogatory otherwise proper is not necessarily objectionable merely because an answer to the interrogatory involves an opinion or contention that relates to fact or the application of law to fact, but the court may order that such an interrogatory need not be answered until after designated discovery has been completed or until a pre-trial conference or other later time. - Option to produce business records. — Where the answer to an interrogatory may be derived or ascertained from the business records of the party upon whom the interrogatory has been served or from an examination, audit or inspection of such business records, including a compilation, abstract or summary thereof, and the burden of deriving or ascertaining the answer is substantially the same for the party serving the interrogatory as for the party served, it is a sufficient answer to such interrogatory to specify the records from which the answer may be derived or ascertained and to afford to the party serving the interrogatory reasonable opportunity to examine, audit or inspect such records and to make copies, compilations, abstracts or summaries. A specification shall be in sufficient detail to permit the interrogating party to locate and to identify, as readily as can the party served, the records from which the answer may be ascertained.
- Scope. — Any party may serve on any other party a request (1) to produce and permit the party making the request, or someone acting on the requestor’s behalf, to inspect and copy, any designated documents (including writings, drawings, graphs, charts, photographs, phono-records, and other data compilations from which information can be obtained, translated, if necessary, by the respondent through detection devices into reasonably usable form), or to inspect and copy, test, or sample any tangible things which constitute or contain matters within the scope of Rule 26(b) and which are in the possession, custody or control of the party upon whom the request is served; or (2) to permit entry upon designated land or other property in the possession or control of the party upon whom the request is served for the purpose of inspection and measuring, surveying, photographing, testing, or sampling the property or any designated object or operation thereon, within the scope of Rule 26(b).
- Procedure. — The request may, without leave of court, be served upon the plaintiff after commencement of the action and upon any other party with or after service of the summons and complaint upon that party. The request shall set forth, either by individual item or by category, the items to be inspected, and describe each with reasonable particularity. The request shall specify a reasonable time, place, and manner of making the inspection and performing the related acts.
The party upon whom the request is served shall serve a written response within 30 days after the service of the request, except that a defendant may serve a response within 45 days after service of the summons and complaint upon that defendant. A shorter or longer time may be directed by the court or, in the absence of such an order, agreed to in writing by the parties, subject to Rule 29. The response shall state, with respect to each item or category, that inspection and related activities will be permitted as requested, unless the request is objected to, in which event the reasons for objection shall be stated. If objection is made to part of an item or category, the part shall be specified and inspection permitted of the remaining parts. The party submitting the request may move for an order under Rule 37(a) with respect to any objection to or other failure to respond to the request or any part thereof, or any failure to permit inspection as requested.
A party who produces documents for inspections shall produce them as they are kept in the usual course of business or shall organize and label them to correspond with the categories in the request. - Persons not parties. — A person not a party to the action may be compelled to produce documents and things or to submit to an inspection provided in Rules 45.
- Order for examination. — When the mental or physical condition (including the blood group) of a party, or of a person in the custody or under the legal control of a party, is in controversy, the court in which the action is pending may order the party to submit to a physical or mental examination by a suitably licensed or certified examiner or to produce for examination the person in the party’s custody or legal control. The order may be made only on motion for good cause shown and upon notice to the person to be examined and to all parties and shall specify the time, place, manner, conditions, and scope of the examination and the person or persons by whom it is to be made.
- Report of examiner. —
- If requested by the party against whom an order is made under Rule 35(a) or the person examined, the party causing the examination to be made shall deliver to the requesting party a copy of a detailed written report of the examining physician or other qualified expert setting out the examiner’s findings, including results of all tests made, diagnoses and conclusions, together with like reports of all earlier examinations of the same condition. After delivery the party causing the examination shall be entitled upon request to receive from the party against whom the order is made a like report of any examination, previously or thereafter made, of the same condition, unless, in the case of a report of examination of a person not a party, the party shows that such party is unable to obtain it. The court on motion may make an order against a party requiring delivery of a report on such terms as are just, and if the physician or other qualified expert fails or refuses to make a report the court may exclude his the examiner’s testimony if offered at the trial.
- By requesting and obtaining a report of the examination so ordered or by taking the deposition of the examiner, the party examined waives any privilege the party may have in that action or any other involving the same controversy, regarding the testimony of every other person who has examined or may thereafter examine the party in respect of the same mental or physical condition.
- This subdivision applies to examinations made by agreement of the parties, unless the agreement expressly provides otherwise. This subdivision does not preclude discovery of a report of an examiner or the taking of a deposition of the examiner in accordance with the provisions of any other rule.
- Request for admission. — A party may serve upon any other party a written request for the admission, for purposes of the pending action only, of the truth of any matters within the scope of Rule 26(b) set forth in the request that relate to statements or opinions of fact or of the application of law to fact, including the genuineness of any documents described in the request. Copies of documents shall be served with the request unless they have been or are otherwise furnished or made available for inspection and copying. The request may, without leave of court, be served upon the plaintiff after commencement of the action and upon any other party with or after service of the summons and complaint upon that party.
Each matter of which an admission is requested shall be separately set forth. The matter is admitted unless, within 30 days after service of the request, or within such shorter or longer time as the court may allow or as the parties may agree to in writing, subject to Rule 29, the party to whom the request is directed serves upon the party requesting the admission a written answer or objection addressed to the matter, signed by the party or by the party’s attorney, but, unless the court shortens the time, a defendant shall not be required to serve answers or objections before the expiration of 45 days after service of the summons and complaint upon him. If objection is made, the reasons therefor shall be stated. The answer shall specifically deny the matter or set forth in detail the reasons why the answering party cannot truthfully admit or deny the matter. A denial shall fairly meet the substance of the requested admission, and when good faith requires that a party qualify an answer or deny only a part of the matter of which an admission is requested, the party shall specify so much of it as is true and qualify or deny the remainder. An answering party may not give lack of information or knowledge as a reason for failure to admit or deny unless he states that the party has made reasonable inquiry and that the information known or readily obtainable by the party’s is insufficient to enable him to admit or deny. A party who considers that a matter of which an admission has been requested presents a genuine issue for trial may not, on that ground alone, object to the request; the party may, subject to the provisions of Rule 37(c), deny the matter or set forth reasons why the party cannot admit or deny it.
The party who has requested the admissions may move to determine the sufficiency of the answers or objections. Unless the court determines that an objection is justified, it shall order that an answer be served. If the court determines that an answer does not comply with the requirements of this rule, it may order either that the matter is admitted or that an amended answer be served. The court may, in lieu of these orders, determine that final disposition of the request be made at a pre-trial conference or at a designated time prior to trial. The provisions of Rule 37(a)(4) apply to the award of expenses incurred in relation to the motion. - Effect of admission. — Any matter admitted under this rule is conclusively established unless the court on motion permits withdrawal or amendment of the admission. Subject to the provisions of Rule 16 governing amendment of a pre-trial order, the court may permit withdrawal or amendment when the presentation of the merits of the action will be subserved thereby and the party who obtained the admission fails to satisfy the court that withdrawal or amendment will prejudice that party in maintaining that party’s action or defense on the merits. Any admission made by a party under this rule is for the purpose of the pending action only and is not an admission for any other purpose nor may it be used against the party in any other proceeding.
- Motion for order compelling discovery. — A party, upon reasonable notice to other parties and all persons affected thereby, may apply for an order compelling discovery as follows:
- Appropriate court. — An application for an order to a party may be made to the court in which the action is pending, or, on matters relating to a deposition, to the circuit court of the county where the deposition is being taken. An application for an order to a person who is not a party shall be made to the circuit court of the county where the discovery is being, or is to be, taken.
- Motion. — If a deponent fails to answer a question propounded or submitted under Rule 30 or 31, or a corporation or other entity fails to make a designation under Rule 30(b)(7) or 31(a), or a party fails to answer an interrogatory submitted under Rule 33, or if a party, in response to a request for inspection submitted under Rule 34, fails to respond that inspection will be permitted as requested or fails to permit inspection as requested, the discovering party may move for an order compelling an answer, or a designation, or an order compelling inspection in accordance with the request. The motion must include a certification that the movant in good faith has conferred or attempted to confer with the person or party failing to make the discovery in an effort to secure the information or action without court action. When taking a deposition on oral examination, the proponent of the question may complete or adjourn the examination before applying for an order.
If the court denies the motion in whole or in part, it may make such protective order as it would have been empowered to make on a motion made pursuant to Rule 26(c). - Evasive or incomplete answer or response. — For purposes of this subdivision, an evasive or incomplete answer or response is to be treated as a failure to answer or respond.
- Expenses and sanctions. —
- If the motion is granted, the court shall, after affording an opportunity to be heard, require the party or deponent whose conduct necessitated the motion or the party or attorney advising such conduct or both of them to pay to the moving party the reasonable expenses incurred in obtaining the order, including attorney’s fees, unless the court finds that the motion was filed without the movant’s first making a good faith effort to obtain the discovery without court action, or that the opposing party’s answer, response, or objection was substantially justified, or that other circumstances make an award of expenses unjust.
- If the motion is denied, the court may enter any protective order authorized under Rule 26(c) and shall, after affording an opportunity to be heard, require the moving party or the attorney advising the motion or both of them to pay to the party or deponent who opposed the motion the reasonable expenses incurred in opposing the motion, including attorney’s fees, unless the court finds that the making of the motion was substantially justified or that other circumstances make an award of expenses unjust.
- If the motion is granted in part and denied in part, the court may enter any protective order authorized under Rule 26(c) and may, after affording an opportunity to be heard, apportion the reasonable expenses incurred in relation to the motion among the parties and persons in a just manner.
- Failure to comply with order. —
- Sanctions by court where deposition is taken. — If a deponent fails to be sworn or to answer a question after being directed to do so by the circuit court of the county in which the deposition is being taken, the failure may be considered a contempt of that court.
- Sanctions by court in which action is pending. — If a party or an officer, director, or managing agent of a party or a person designated under Rules 30(b)(6) or 31(a) to testify on behalf of a party fails to obey an order to provide or permit discovery, including an order made under subdivision (a) of this rule or Rule 35, or if a party fails to supplement as provided for under Rule 26(e), or if a party fails to obey an order entered under Rule 26(f), the court in which the action is pending may make such orders in regard to the failure as are just, and among others are the following:
- An order that the matters regarding which the order was made or any other designated facts shall be taken to be established for the purposes of the action in accordance with the claim of the party obtaining the order;
- An order refusing to allow the disobedient party to support or oppose designated claims or defenses, or prohibiting that party from introducing designated matters in evidence;
- An order striking out pleadings or parts thereof, or staying further proceedings until the order is obeyed, or dismissing the action or proceeding or any part thereof, or rendering a judgment by default against the disobedient party;
- In lieu of any of the foregoing orders or in addition thereto, an order treating as a contempt of court the failure to obey any orders except an order to submit to a physical or mental examination;
- Where a party has failed to comply with an order under Rule 35(a) requiring that party to produce another for examination, such orders as are listed in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of this paragraph, unless the party failing to comply shows that that party is unable to produce such person for examination.
- Expenses on failure to admit. — If a party fails to admit the genuineness of any document or the truth of any matter as requested under Rule 36, and if the party requesting the admissions thereafter proves the genuineness of the document or the truth of the matter, the requesting party may apply to the court for an order requiring the other party to pay the reasonable expenses incurred in making that proof, including reasonable attorney’s fees. The court shall make the order unless it finds that (1) the request was held objectionable pursuant to Rule 36(a), or (2) the admission sought was of no substantial importance, or (3) the party failing to admit had reasonable ground to believe that the party might prevail on the matter, or (4) there was other good reason for the failure to admit.
- Failure of party to attend at own deposition or serve answers to interrogatories or respond to request for inspection. — If a party or an officer, director, or managing agent of a party or a person designated under Rule 30(b)(6) or 31(a) to testify on behalf of a party fails (1) to appear before the officer who is to take the deposition, after being served with a proper notice, or (2) to serve answers or objections to interrogatories submitted under Rule 33, after proper service of the interrogatories, or (3) to serve a written response to a request for inspection submitted under Rule 34, after proper service of the request, the court in which the action is pending on motion may make such orders in regard to the failure as are just, and among others it may take any action authorized under subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of subdivision (b)(2) of this rule. Any motion specifying a failure under paragraphs (2) or (3) of this subdivision shall include a certification that the movant has in good faith conferred or attempted to confer with the party failing to answer or respond in an effort to obtain such answer or response without court action. In lieu of any order or in addition thereto, the court shall require the party failing to act or the attorney advising that party or both to pay the reasonable expenses, including attorney’s fees, caused by the failure, unless the court finds that the failure was substantially justified or that other circumstances make an award of expenses unjust.
The failure to act described in this subdivision may not be excused on the ground that the discovery sought is objectionable unless the party failing to act has applied for a protective order as provided by Rule 26(c). - Failure to participate in the framing of a discovery plan. — If a party or a party’s attorney fails to participate in good faith in the framing of a discovery plan by agreement as is required by Rule 26(f), the court may, after opportunity for hearing, require such party or attorney to pay to any other party the reasonable expenses, including attorney’s fees, caused by the failure.
Revised Effective January 1, 1989
With amendments effective through July 1, 2018
TABLE OF HEADNOTES
I. SCOPE OF RULES - ONE FORM OF ACTION
Rule 2. One Form of Action
II. COMMENCEMENT OF THE ACTION; SERVICE OF PROCESS,
PLEADINGS, MOTIONS AND ORDERS
Rule 3. Commencement of the Action; Service of the Complaint; Filing of the Action| 3.01 | Commencement of the Action |
| 3.02 | Service of Complaint |
| 4.01 | Summons; Form |
| 4.02 | By Whom Served |
| 4.03 | Personal Service |
| 4.04 | Service by Publications; Personal Service Out of State |
| 4.041 | Additional Information to be Published |
| 4.042 | Service of the Complaint |
| 4.043 | Service by Publication; Defendant May Defend; Restitution |
| 4.044 | Nonresident Owner of Land Appointing an Agent |
| 4.05 | Waiving Service of Summons |
| 4.06 | Return |
| 4.07 | Amendments |
| 5.01 | Service; When Required; Appearance |
| 5.02 | Service; How Made |
| 5.03 | Service; Numerous Defendants |
| 5.04 | Filing; Certificate of Service |
| 5.05 | Filing; Facsimile Transmission |
| 5.06 | Filing Electronically |
Rule 5A. Notice of Constitutional Challenge to a Statute
Rule 6. Time| 6.01 | Computation |
| 6.02 | Enlargement |
| 6.03 | Unaffected by Expiration of Term |
| 6.04 | For Motions; Affidavits |
| 6.05 | Additional Time After Service by Mail or Service Late in Day |
III. PLEADINGS AND MOTIONS
Rule 7. Pleadings Allowed; Form of Motions| 7.01 | Pleadings |
| 7.02 | Motions and Other Documents |
| 8.01 | Claims for Relief |
| 8.02 | Defenses; Form of Denials |
| 8.03 | Affirmative Defenses |
| 8.04 | Effect of Failure to Deny |
| 8.05 | Pleading to be Concise and Direct; Consistency |
| 8.06 | Construction of Pleadings |
| 9.01 | Capacity |
| 9.02 | Fraud, Mistake, Condition of Mind |
| 9.03 | Conditions Precedent |
| 9.04 | Official Document or Act |
| 9.05 | Judgment |
| 9.06 | Time and Place |
| 9.07 | Special Damages |
| 9.08 | Unknown Party; How Designated |
| 10.01 | Caption; Names of Parties |
| 10.02 | Paragraph; Separate Statements |
| 10.03 | Adoption by Reference; Exhibits |
| 10.04 | Failure to Comply |
| 11.01 | Signature |
| 11.02 | Representations to Court |
| 11.03 | Sanctions |
| 11.04 | Inapplicability to Discovery |
| 12.01 | When Presented |
| 12.02 | How Presented |
| 12.03 | Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings |
| 12.04 | Preliminary Hearing |
| 12.05 | Motion for More Definite Statement, for Paragraphing and for Separate Statement |
| 12.06 | Motion to Strike |
| 12.07 | Consolidation of Defenses in Motion |
| 12.08 | Waiver or Preservation of Certain Defenses |
| 13.01 | Compulsory Counterclaims |
| 13.02 | Permissive Counterclaims |
| 13.03 | Counterclaim Exceeding Opposing Claim |
| 13.04 | Counterclaim Against the State of Minnesota |
| 13.05 | Counterclaim Maturing or Acquired After Pleading |
| 13.06 | Omitted Counterclaim |
| 13.07 | Cross-Claim Against Co-Party |
| 13.08 | Joinder of Additional Parties |
| 13.09 | Separate Trials; Separate Judgment |
| 14.01 | When a Defending Party May Bring in a Third Party |
| 14.02 | Third-Party Defendant's Claims and Defenses |
| 14.03 | Plaintiff's Claims Against a Third-Party Defendant |
| 14.04 | Motion to Strike, Sever, or Try Separately |
| 14.05 | Third-Party Defendant's Claim against a Nonparty |
| 14.06 | When a Plaintiff May Bring in a Third Party |
| 14.07 | Defending Against a Demand for Judgment for the Plaintiff |
| 14.08 | Protective Orders for Parties and Prevention of Delay |
| 15.01 | Amendments |
| 15.02 | Amendments to Conform to the Evidence |
| 15.03 | Relation Back of Amendments |
| 15.04 | Supplemental Pleadings |
| 16.01 | Pretrial Conferences; Objectives |
| 16.02 | Scheduling and Planning |
| 16.03 | Subjects for Consideration |
| 16.04 | Final Pretrial Conference |
| 16.05 | Pretrial Orders |
| 16.06 | Sanctions |
IV. PARTIES
Rule 17. Parties Plaintiff and Defendant; Capacity| 17.01 | Real Party in Interest |
| 17.02 | Infants or Incompetent Persons |
| 18.01 | Joinder of Claims |
| 18.02 | Joinder of Remedies; Fraudulent Conveyances |
| 19.01 | Persons to be Joined if Feasible |
| 19.02 | Determination by Court Whenever Joinder Not Feasible |
| 19.03 | Pleading Reasons for Nonjoinder |
| 19.04 | Exception of Class Actions |
| 20.01 | Permissive Joinder |
| 20.02 | Separate Trials |
Rule 22. Interpleader
Rule 23. Class Actions| 23.01 | Prerequisites to a Class Action |
| 23.02 | Class Actions Maintainable |
| 23.03 | Determining by Order Whether to Certify a Class Action; Appointing Class Counsel; Notice and Membership in Class; Judgment; Multiple Classes and Subclasses |
| 23.04 | Orders in Conduct of Action |
| 23.05 | Settlement, Voluntary Dismissal, or Compromise |
| 23.06 | Appeals |
| 23.07 | Class Counsel |
| 23.08 | Attorney Fees Award |
| 23.09 | Derivative Actions by Shareholders or Members |
| 23.10 | Actions Relating to Unincorporated Associations |
| 24.01 | Intervention of Right |
| 24.02 | Permissive Intervention |
| 24.03 | Procedure |
| 24.04 | Deleted |
| 25.01 | Death |
| 25.02 | Incompetency |
| 25.03 | Transfer of Interest |
| 25.04 | Public Officers; Death or Separation from Office |
V. DEPOSITIONS AND DISCOVERY
Rule 26. Duty to Disclose; General Provisions Governing Discovery| 26.01 | Required Disclosures |
| 26.02 | Discovery Methods, Scope and Limits |
| 26.03 | Protective Orders |
| 26.04 | Timing and Sequence of Discovery |
| 26.05 | Supplementation of Responses |
| 26.06 | Discovery Conference and Discovery Plan |
| 26.07 | Signing of Discovery Requests, Responses and Objections |
| 27.01 | Before Action |
| 27.02 | Pending Appeal |
| 27.03 | Perpetuation by Action |
| 28.01 | Within the United States |
| 28.02 | In Foreign Countries |
| 28.03 | Disqualification for Interest |
Rule 29. Stipulations Regarding Discovery Procedure
Rule 30. Depositions Upon Oral Examination| 30.01 | When Depositions May Be Taken |
| 30.02 | Notice of Examination; General Requirements; Special Notice; Non-Stenographic Method of Recording; Production of Documents and Things; Deposition of Organization; Depositions by Telephone |
| 30.03 | Examination and Cross-Examination; Record of Examination; Oath; Objections |
| 30.04 | Schedule and Duration; Motion to Terminate or Limit Examination |
| 30.05 | Review by Witness; Changes; Signing |
| 30.06 | Certification and Filing by Officer; Exhibits; Copies; Notices of Filing |
| 30.07 | Failure to Attend or to Serve Subpoena; Expenses |
| 31.01 | Serving Questions; Notice |
| 31.02 | Officer to Take Responses and Prepare Record |
| 31.03 | Notice of Filing |
| 32.01 | Use of Depositions |
| 32.02 | Objections to Admissibility |
| 32.03 | Form of Presentation |
| 32.04 | Effect of Errors and Irregularities in Depositions |
| 32.05 | Use of Video Depositions |
| 33.01 | Availability |
| 33.02 | Scope; Use at Trial |
| 33.03 | Option to Produce Business Records |
| 34.01 | Scope |
| 34.02 | Procedure |
| 34.03 | Persons Not Parties |
| 35.01 | Order of Examinations |
| 35.02 | Report of Findings |
| 35.03 | Waiver of Medical Privilege |
| 35.04 | Medical Disclosures and Depositions of Medical Experts |
| 36.01 | Request for Admission |
| 36.02 | Effect of Admission |
| 37.01 | Motion for Order Compelling Disclosure or Discovery |
| 37.02 | Failure to Comply with Order |
| 37.03 | Failure to Disclose, to Supplement an Earlier Response, or to Admit |
| 37.04 | Failure of a Party to Attend at Own Deposition or Serve Answers |
| 37.05 | Failure to Preserve Electronically Stored Information |
| 37.06 | Failure to Participate in Framing a Discovery Plan |
VI. TRIALS
Rule 38. Jury Trial of Right| 38.01 | Right Preserved |
| 38.02 | Waiver |
| 38.03 | Repealed |
| 39.01 | By Court |
| 39.02 | Advisory Jury and Trial by Consent |
| 39.03 | Preliminary Instructions in Jury Trials |
| 39.04 | Opening Statements by Counsel |
| 41.01 | Voluntary Dismissal; Effect Thereof |
| 41.02 | Involuntary Dismissal; Effect Thereof |
| 41.03 | Dismissal of Counterclaim, Cross-Claim, or Third-Party Claim |
| 41.04 | Costs of Previously Dismissed Action |
| 42.01 | Consolidation |
| 42.02 | Separate Trials |
| 43.01 | Form |
| 43.02 | Abrogated |
| 43.03 | Abrogated |
| 43.04 | Affirmation in Lieu of Oath |
| 43.05 | Evidence and Motions |
| 43.06 | Abrogated |
| 43.07 | Interpreters |
| 44.01 | Authentication |
| 44.02 | Lack of Record |
| 44.03 | Other Proof |
| 44.04 | Abrogated |
| 45.01 | For Attendance of Witnesses; Form; Issuance |
| 45.02 | Service |
| 45.03 | Protection of Persons Subject to Subpoenas |
| 45.04 | Duties in Responding to Subpoena |
| 45.05 | Contempt |
| 45.06 | Interstate Depositions and Discovery |
| 47.01 | Examination of Jurors |
| 47.02 | Abrogated |
| 47.03 | Separation of Jury |
| 47.04 | Excuse |
Rule 48. Number of Jurors; Participation in Verdict
Rule 49. Special Verdicts and Interrogatories| 49.01 | Special Verdicts |
| 49.02 | General Verdict Accompanied by Answer to Interrogatories |
| 50.01 | Judgment as a Matter of Law |
| 50.02 | Renewing Motion for Judgment After Trial; Alternative Motion for New Trial |
| 50.03 | Granting Renewed Motion for Judgment as a Matter of Law; Conditional Rulings; New Trial Motion |
| 50.04 | Denial of Motion for Judgment as a Matter of Law |
| 51.01 | Requests |
| 51.02 | Instructions |
| 51.03 | Objections |
| 51.04 | Assigning Error; Plain Error |
| 52.01 | Effect |
| 52.02 | Amendment |
| 53.01 | Appointment |
| 53.02 | Order Appointing Master |
| 53.03 | Master's Authority |
| 53.04 | Evidentiary Hearings |
| 53.05 | Master's Orders |
| 53.06 | Master's Reports |
| 53.07 | Action on Master's Order, Report, or Recommendations |
| 53.08 | Compensation |
| 53.09 | Appointment of Statutory Referee |
| 54.01 | Definition; Form |
| 54.02 | Judgment upon Multiple Claims |
| 54.03 | Demand for Judgment |
| 54.04 | Costs |
| 55.01 | Judgment |
| 55.02 | Plaintiffs; Counterclaimants; Cross-Claimants |
| 56.01 | Motion for Summary Judgment or Partial Summary Judgment |
| 56.02 | Time to File a Motion |
| 56.03 | Procedures |
| 56.04 | When Facts are Unavailable to the Nonmovant |
| 56.05 | Failing to Properly Support or Address a Fact |
| 56.06 | Judgment Independent of the Motion |
| 56.07 | Failing to Grant All the Requested Relief |
| 56.08 | Affidavit Submitted in Bad Faith |
| 58.01 | Entry |
| 58.02 | Stay |
| 59.01 | Grounds |
| 59.02 | Basis of Motion |
| 59.03 | Time for Motion |
| 59.04 | Time for Serving Affidavits |
| 59.05 | On Initiative of Court |
| 59.06 | Stay of Entry of Judgment |
| 60.01 | Clerical Mistakes |
| 60.02 | Mistakes; Inadvertence; Excusable Neglect; Newly Discovered Evidence; Fraud; etc. |
| 62.01 | Stay on Motions |
| 62.02 | Injunction Pending Appeal |
| 62.03 | Stay upon Appeal |
| 62.04 | Stay in Favor of the State or Agency Thereof |
| 62.05 | Power of Appellate Court Not Limited |
| 62.06 | Stay of Judgment Upon Multiple Claims |
| 63.01 | Disability of Judge |
| 63.02 | Interest or Bias |
| 63.03 | Notice to Remove |
| 63.04 | Assignment of Judge |
VII. PROVISIONAL AND FINAL REMEDIES
AND SPECIAL PROCEEDINGS
Rule 65. Injunctions| 65.01 | Temporary Restraining Order; Notice; Hearing; Duration |
| 65.02 | Temporary Injunction |
| 65.03 | Security |
| 65.04 | Form and Scope of Injunction or Restraining Order |
| 67.01 | In an Action |
| 67.02 | When No Action is Brought |
| 67.03 | Court May Order Deposit or Seizure of Property |
| 67.04 | Money Paid into Court |
| 68.01 | Offer |
| 68.02 | Acceptance or Rejection of Offer |
| 68.03 | Effect of Unaccepted Offer |
| 68.04 | Applicable Attorney Fees and Prejudgment Interest |
Rule 70. Judgment for Specific Acts; Vesting Title
Rule 71. Process in Behalf of and Against Persons not Parties
VIII. DISTRICT COURTS AND COURT ADMINISTRATORS
Rule 77. District Courts and Court Administrators| 77.01 | District Courts Always Open |
| 77.02 | Trials and Hearings; Orders in Chambers |
| 77.03 | Court Administrator's Office and Orders by Court Administrator |
| 77.04 | Notice of Orders or Judgments |
Rule 80. Stenographic Report or Transcript as Evidence
Rule 81. Applicability; in General| 81.01 | Statutory and Other Procedures |
| 81.02 | Appeals to District Courts |
| 81.03 | Rules Incorporated into Statutes |
Rule 83. Rules by District Courts
Rule 85. Title
Rule 86. Effective Date| 86.01 | Effective Date and Application to Pending Proceedings |
APPENDICES
Appendix A - Special Proceedings Under Rule 81.01
Appendix B(1) - List of Rules Superseding Statutes
Appendix B(2) - List of Statutes Superseded by Rules
APPENDIX OF FORMS
Introductory Statement
Form 1 - Summons
Form 2 - Complaint on a Promissory Note
Form 3 - Complaint on an Account
Form 4 - Complaint for Goods Sold and Delivered
