Unless leave of court is obtained, interrogatories may not be served prior to the meeting of the parties under Rule 26(f).
This rule freely authorizes the taking of depositions under the same circumstances and by the same methods whether for the purpose of discovery or for the purpose of obtaining evidence.
Civ. P. 27 that permits discovery before the filing of a federal action to perpetuate testimony to “prevent a failure or delay of justice.” Rule 27(a)(3).
How to respond to form interrogatories Download the blank response template and fill in basic information. Prepare the template for your responses. Read and answer the questions. Sign the document.
You can use interrogatories to find out facts about a case but they cannot be used for questions that draw a legal conclusion.
How to fill out Form Interrogatories Fill in basic information at the top of the form. Provide basic information about your case. Select the questions. On Page 2, check the box next to each question you want to ask your spouse to answer. Make copies. Make 1 copy of the completed Form Interrogatories – Family Law.
Interrogatories are a list of questions sent by one party in a lawsuit to another party in the lawsuit. Interrogatories are governed by Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 33 and the corresponding Local Rules of the Central District of California.
Read each question (interrogatory) very carefully. Answer only the question that is asked, and avoid the temptation to over-explain your answer. If the question contains several parts, you may break your answer into parts as well. It is also possible that you might object to the question.
The original form interrogatories and signed proof of service should be retained for your records. If the other party does not respond to your requests, you may use these documents to support a motion to have the court compel responses.
The purpose of this requirement—that defendant have time to obtain counsel before a response must be made—is adequately fulfilled by the requirement that interrogatories be served upon a party with or after service of the summons and complaint upon him.