Interrogatories

• Author: Jennifer Duncan-Brice
• Pages: 229-298

25-1 (Rev. 12, 9/16)

Chapter 25

INTERROGATORIES

QUICK VIEW

Defined: Interrogatories are written questions directed to a party requesting that party to provide sworn

answers to the questions.

Scope of Chapter: General principles and techniques about interrogatories; how to propound interrogatories;

how to respond, including both answering and objecting; supplemental and amended answers; motion

practice related to interrogatories; and evidence issues.

Strategic Considerations:

Propounder: Draft interrogatories that identify the requested information with reasonable particularity. Use

Definitions and Instructions sections to make the interrogatories more concise, effective, clearer, and less

objectionable.

Respondent: Work with the client to compile the responsive information. To avoid waiving objections to

the interrogatories, timely serve a written response asserting all the objections you want to preserve. If the

interrogatories seek confidential information, propose the parties enter into a Confidentiality Agreement, or

stipulate to a protective order.

Statutes and Rules:

• SCR 201(b) (permissible scope of discovery).

• SCR 201(c) (protective orders).

• SCR 201(d) (time to serve interrogatories).

• SCR 213(a) (service of interrogatories).

• SCR 213(c) (limit on number or sets of interrogatories).

• SCR 213(d) (answers and objections).

• SCR 213(f) (disclosure of witnesses and testimony).

• SCR 213(g) (limitation on testimony and freedom to cross-examine)

• SCR 213(h) (use of interrogatories).

• SCR 213(i) (amending answers).

• SCR 219(a) (motion to compel discovery).

• SCR 219(c) (failure to comply with discovery order).

Related Topics: All Discovery, Ch 20; Requests for Admissions, Ch 26; Production of Documents and

Other Things, Ch 22; Discovery Disputes, Ch 27; Depositions, Ch 23; Presuit Activities, Ch 2.

Forms: See digital access for the following forms:

ILLINO IS PRE TRIAL PRACTICE 25-2

• Form 25:10, Standard Personal Injury Interrogatories.

• Form 20:30, Stipulated Protective Order.

• Form 20:40, Acknowledgment of Stipulated Protective Order.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. General Points

§25:01 Basic Principles

§25:02 Advantages

§25:03 Disadvantages

§25:04 Propounded by Parties, on Parties

§25:05 Who Are “Parties”?

§25:06 Non-Individual Entities

§25:07 Answers Binding at Trial

§25:08 Limit on Number

§25:09 Duty to Supplement

§25:10 Uniform Interrogatories

II. How to Use Interrogatories

A. General Points

§25:20 Goals and Purposes

§25:21 Strategy and Tactics

B. Using Interrogatories With Other Discovery

§25:30 With Depositions

§25:31 With Document Requests

§25:32 With Requests for Admissions

§25:33 When to Delay Interrogatories

C. Types of Interrogatories

§25:40 Contention Inquiries

§25:41 “Source-of-Information” Inquiries

§25:42 “Should-Have-Done” Inquiries

§25:43 Expert Opinion Inquiries

§25:44 Damage Inquiries

III. Propounding Interrogatories

A. Format

§25:50 Caption

§25:51 Title

§25:52 No Blank Space for Response

§25:53 Numbering

25-3 INTERR OGATORIES

(Rev. 12, 9/16)

§25:54 Signature

§25:55 Service

B. Preliminary Parts

§25:60 Introductory Statement

§25:61 Instructions

§25:62 Definitions

§25:63 Applicable Time Period

§25:64 Basis for Claim of Privilege

C. Drafting Techniques

§25:70 Elements of Good Interrogatories

§25:71 Be Precise and Meticulous

§25:72 Be Simple and Direct

§25:73 Unnecessary Document “Identification”

§25:74 Don’t Seek Lengthy Narrative

§25:75 Break It Down

§25:76 Force “Yes” or “No” Response

§25:77 Subparts

§25:78 Quote Language at Issue

§25:79 No Legal Opinions

§25:80 Dealing With “Artful Dodgers”

D. Areas of Inquiry

1. GENERAL POINTS

§25:90 Scope of Inquiry

§25:91 How to Identify Areas

§25:92 Element of Surprise

§25:93 People With Relevant Knowledge

§25:94 People Who Contributed to Answers

2. FACTS

§25:100 Supporting Claims or Defenses

§25:101 Collateral Facts

§25:102 Party Admissions

§25:103 Damages

§25:104 Criminal Convictions

§25:105 Insurance Coverage

3. IDENTITY AND TESTIMONY OF WITNESSES

a. General Points

§25:110 Disclosure of Identities and Addresses of All Witnesses

§25:111 Disclosure of Testimony

§25:112 Materials Relied On

b. Lay Witnesses

§25:120 Defined

§25:121 Disclosure Requirements

c. Independent Experts