MBE Rules · Civil Procedure
Discovery — depositions
FRCP 30, 31
The rule
Each side is presumptively limited to 10 depositions, each lasting no more than one day of 7 hours. A non-party is compelled by subpoena under Rule 45; a party is compelled by notice. Objections must be stated concisely, non-argumentatively, and non-suggestively; a deponent may be instructed not to answer only to preserve a privilege, enforce a court limitation, or present a Rule 30(d)(3) motion.
In plain English
Depositions are live sworn Q&A. The 10-per-side / 7-hour caps are default and must be respected absent a stipulation or order.
The trap
Instructing a witness not to answer for relevance objections — improper.
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