Requests for Admission

• Author: Jennifer Duncan-Brice
• Pages: 257-294

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REQUESTS

FOR ADMISSION

Chapter 26

REQUESTS FOR ADMISSION

QUICK VIEW

Definition: A request for admission of fact or genuineness of document (“RFA”) is a written statement, served

by one party on another party, requesting that the responding party admit or deny the truth of the statement or the

genuineness of the document.

Scope of Chapter: How to use requests for admission (“RFAs”); propounding RFAs; responding to RFAs;

drafting principles; protective orders; compelling further responses; relief from admissions and non-admissions;

use of responses at trial; sanctions for failure to admit; sample forms.

Strategies and Tactics: Exercise caution in propounding and responding to RFAs. Matters admitted are conclusively

established for trial. If a party served with a request for admission fails to timely respond, the matters stated in the

request are deemed admitted against that party. A responding party who fails to admit matters later proven to be true,

may be liable for the expenses the requesting party incurred in proving the matter, including attorney fees.

Statutes and Rules: SCR 216.

Related Topics: Motion Practice, Ch 14; All Discovery, Ch 20; Interrogatories, Ch 25; Discovery Disputes, Ch 27.

Forms: See digital access for the following forms:

• Form 27:20, Sup. Ct. Rule 201(k) Letter.

• Form 27:60, Motion to Strike Objections and Deem Request to Admit Genuineness of Documents

Admitted.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. General Points

A. Overview

§26:01 Authority

§26:02 Purpose

§26:03 By Whom, on Whom

§26:04 Admissions Are Binding

§26:05 Automatic Admissions

§26:06 RFAs and Responses Are Pleadings

B. Scope of RFAs

§26:10 Broad Scope

§26:11 Ultimate Facts OK; Legal Conclusions Not

ILLINO IS PRETR IAL PRAC TICE 26-2

REQUESTS

FOR ADMISSION

§26:12 Legal Conclusions Not OK

§26:13 Timeframe of Response

II. How to Use RFAs

A. Use to Establish Claims and Defenses

§26:20 Uncontested Facts

§26:21 Hard to Prove Matters

§26:22 Ultimate Facts

§26:23 Opinions

B. Documents

§26:30 Rule & Definition

§26:31 Separate Set

§26:32 Establish Evidentiary Foundation

§26:33 Establish Genuineness

§26:34 Establish as Business Record

C. Public Records

§26:40 Admissible as Admitted Facts

§26:41 Procedure

D. Use With Other Discovery Tools

§26:50 Follow Up From Prior Discovery

§26:51 Depositions and Interrogatories

§26:52 Document Requests

III. Propounding RFAs

A. Drafting RFAs

1. FORMAT

§26:60 General Points

§26:61 Title

§26:62 Introductory Paragraph

§26:63 Definitions Division

§26:64 Numerical Order

§26:65 Attach Documents

§26:66 Name, Address, and Signature

§26:67 Return Service Information

§26:68 Certificate of Service

2. TECHNIQUES

§26:80 Separate Request for Each Matter

§26:81 Limit Number of Sets and Requests

§26:82 Make Requests Clear and Simple

§26:83 Leave Nowhere to Hide

§26:84 Amended RFAs

B. Service and Filing

§26:90 Earliest Date to Serve

§26:91 Last Date to Serve

§26:92 Timing Strategies

§26:93 Service Requirements

§26:94 Filing

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REQUESTS

FOR ADMISSION

IV. Responding to RFAs

A. General Points

§26:100 Harsh Consequences

§26:101 Automatic Admission if Response Not Timely

§26:102 Consult With Client

§26:103 Service

§26:104 Filing

§26:105 Duty to Amend

B. Response Deadline

§26:110 The Deadline

§26:111 Stipulation to Extend

§26:112 Motion to Extend

C. Drafting Principles

1. FORMAT

§26:120 General Points

§26:121 Caption and Title

§26:122 Introductory Paragraph

§26:123 Repeat the Requests

§26:124 Sworn Statement Signed by Party

§26:125 Attorney’s Signature & Certificate of Service

2. RESPONSES

a. Substantive Answers

§26:130 Response Choices

§26:131 Express Admission

§26:132 Deemed Admission

§26:133 Qualified Admission

§26:134 Denial

§26:135 Multi-Part Response

§26:136 Unable to Admit or Deny

§26:137 Good-Faith Obligation to Secure Answers

§26:138 Detailed Inquiry

§26:139 Effect of Denial If Admission Proved

b. Objections

i. Basic Principles

§26:150 Overview

§26:151 Bases for Objections

§26:152 Making and Resolving Objections

§26:153 Deadlines

§26:154 Signature

ii. Specific Objections

§26:160 Common Objections

§26:161 Form of Request

§26:162 Privilege, Work Product, Trade Secret

§26:163 Irrelevant

§26:164 Undue Burden

§26:165 Calls for a Legal Conclusion

§26:166 Confusing

§26:167 Failure to Object