All Discovery

• Author: Robert F. Kane/Donald G. Rez
• Pages: 7-68

Chapter 20

All Discovery

QUICK VIEW

Definitions: Discovery is various methods by which one party can obtain information about the case from other

parties. The statutorily authorized methods of discovery are depositions; interrogatories; inspection of documents,

things, and places; physical and mental examinations; requests for admission; and simultaneous exchanges of

expert trial witness information.

Scope of Chapter: Advantages and disadvantages of discovery; governing law; right to discovery; discovery limits;

scope; strategies; discovery plan; discovery sequence; deadlines; discovery stipulations; supplementing responses.

Strategies and Tactics:

Scope of discovery: Any matter that is not privileged and is relevant to the subject matter of the pending action

is open to discovery. [CCP §2017.010.] This is such a broad concept that lack of relevancy is rarely a valid objec-

tion to discovery. The realistic restrictions on discovery are for privileged communications, work-product, and

matters for which protection is required for reasons of privacy or expense.

Planning discovery: A formal, written, discovery plan provides a map with which to gauge whether you are

achieving your discovery goals, and are doing so within the applicable deadlines.

Statutes and Rules: CCP §§2016.010-2036.050; CRC 2.550, 2.551, 3.250.

Related Topics: Production of Documents and Other Things, Ch 21; Depositions, Ch 22; Physical and Mental

Examinations, Ch 23; Interrogatories, Ch 24; Requests for Admission, Ch 25.

Forms in Digital Access: See digital access for the following forms:

• Form 20:10 Demand for Exchange of Expert Witness Information [CCP §§2034.010-2034.730].

• Form 20:20 Plaintiff’s Expert Designation.

• Form 20:30 Exchange of Required Expert Witness Information and Expert Witness Declaration [CCP

§2034.260(a)] [co-parties’ joint declarations; multiple experts].

• Form 20:40 Plaintiffs’ Proposed Discovery Plan.

• Form 20:50 Defendant’s Proposed Discovery Plan & Schedule [with multiple defendants].

• Form 20:60 Joint Defense Agreement.

• Form 20:70 Joint Defense Sharing Agreement.

California Pretrial Practice & Forms 20-2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. GENERAL POINTS

A. PURPOSE, GOALS, DRAWBACKS

§20:01 Purposes

§20:02 Goals

§20:03 Drawbacks

B. GOVERNING LAW

§20:10 Civil Discovery Act of 1986

§20:11 Authorized Discovery Methods

§20:12 Provisions That Govern All Methods

§20:13 Provisions That Enforce and Protect

§20:14 Interplay With Federal Law

C. SEALING AND FILING

§20:20 Motion for Sealing and Unsealing Court Records

§20:21 Discovery Materials Not To Be Filed

§20:22 Discovery Materials To Be Filed

§20:23 No Filing of Protected Information

D. USE OF TECHNOLOGY

§20:30 Discovery Through Electronic Media

§20:31 No Court Order Needed

§20:32 Evidence Preservation

II. RIGHT TO DISCOVERY

A. BASIC POINTS

§20:40 Right Is Broad and Broadly Construed

§20:41 No Court Order Required, Except

§20:42 Conducting Merits Discovery Constitutes a General Appearance and Waives

Claims of Lack of Personal Jurisdiction

B. LIMITS ON DISCOVERY

§20:50 Only for Parties in Pending Suit

§20:51 Only Against Other Parties, Except

§20:52 Only Relevant, Non-Privileged Matter

§20:53 Limit on Onerous Discovery

§20:54 Geographical Limits on Depositions

§20:55 Plaintiff’s Sexual Conduct With Individuals Other Than Perpetrator

§20:56 Small Claims Actions

§20:57 Limited Civil Cases

§20:58 Discovery From International Entities

§20:59 Interstate and International Deposition and Discovery Act: Effective

January 2010

§20:60 Forms for Out-of-State Depositions

§20:61 Service of Subpoena—Personal Service Required for Out-of-State

Depositions

§20:62 Discovery Disputes: File a Petition

§20:63 Writ Review Only

III. SCOPE OF DISCOVERY

A. MUST BE RELEVANT

§20:70 Basic Rule

§20:71 “Relevant” Is Broadly Defined

§20:72 Need Not Be Relevant as Evidence

§20:73 Need Not Be Admissible Evidence

§20:74 Balance Privileges Against Case Needs

20-3 All Discovery

§20:75 Balance the Benefit Against the Burden of Discovery of Electronically

Stored Information (ESI)

B. MATTERS DISCOVERABLE

1. General Points

§20:80 Documents, Electronically Stored Information (ESI) and

Other Tangible Things

§20:81 Witness Identities and Location

§20:82 Claims, Defenses, and Legal Contentions

§20:83 Legal or Factual Assertions

§20:84 Similar Incidents

§20:85 Witness Statements/Interview Notes

§20:86 Entry on Land or Other Property

§20:87 Electronic Technology—Electronically Stored Information (ESI)

2. Experts

a. Generally

§20:100 Governing Law

§20:101 Not Applicable to Eminent Domain Cases

§20:102 Consulting Experts: Protected Work Product

b. Exchange of Expert Lists

i. Demand

§20:110 Demand for Exchange of Expert Witness List

§20:111 Demand May Include Reports

§20:112 Form of Demand

§20:113 Not Filed—But Sometimes Lodged

§20:114 Use a Deposition Subpoena to Get Expert’s Complete Files

ii. Response

§20:120 Form of Response

§20:121 Required Declaration of Attorney

§20:122 When Declaration Is Required for Other Party’s Expert

§20:123 No Declaration Required for Treating Physicians

§20:124 Production of Reports and Writings

§20:125 Supplemental Expert Designations

§20:126 Withdrawal of Designated Expert

c. Protective Order

§20:140 Cannot Merely Object to Demand for Exchange

§20:141 Seeking a Protective Order in Response to Demand

d. Depositions of Experts

§20:150 Subjects for Deposition

§20:151 Scheduling Experts’ Depositions

§20:152 Procedure

§20:153 Costs of Expert Witnesses

§20:154 Tender of Fees

§20:155 Challenging the Fee

e. Motion to Submit Tardy Information or Augment

i. Motion to Submit Tardy Information

§20:160 When Motion Should Be Made

§20:161 Bases for Motion

§20:162 Relief

ii. Motion to Augment

§20:170 When Appropriate

§20:171 When Motion May Be Made

§20:172 Bases for Motion

§20:173 Relief