5 CFR 1201.73 - Initial disclosures and discovery procedures.
§ 1201.73
Initial disclosures and discovery procedures.
(a) Initial disclosures.
Except to the extent otherwise directed by order, each party must, without awaiting a discovery request and within 10 days following the date of the MSPB's acknowledgment order, provide the following information to the other party:
(i)
A copy of, or a description by category or location of all documents in the possession, custody, or control of the agency that the agency may use in support of its claims or defenses, and
(ii)
The name and, if known, the address, telephone number, and e-mail address of each individual likely to have discoverable information that the agency may use in support of its claims or defenses, identifying the subjects of such information.
(i)
A copy of, or a description by category or location of all documents in the possession, custody, or control of the appellant that the appellant may use in support of his or her claims or defenses, and
(ii)
The name and, if known, the address, telephone number, and e-mail address of each individual likely to have discoverable information that the appellant may use in support of his or her claims or defenses, identifying the subjects of such information.
(3)
Each party must make its initial disclosure based upon the information then reasonably available to the party. A party is not excused from making its disclosures because it has not fully completed its investigation of its case, because it challenges the sufficiency of the other party's disclosures, or because the other party has not made its disclosures.
(b) Discovery from a party.
A party seeking discovery from another party must start the process by serving a request for discovery on the representative of the other party or the party if there is no representative. The request for discovery must state the time limit for responding, as prescribed in § 1201.73(f), and must specify the time and place of the taking of the deposition, if applicable. When a party directs a request for discovery to an officer or employee of a Federal agency that is a party, the agency must make the officer or employee available on official time to respond to the request, and must assist the officer or employee as necessary in providing relevant information that is available to the agency.
(c) Discovery from a nonparty, including a nonparty Federal agency.
Parties should try to obtain voluntary discovery from nonparties whenever possible. A party seeking discovery from a nonparty Federal agency or employee must start the process by serving a request for discovery on the nonparty Federal agency or employee. A party may begin discovery from other nonparties by serving a request for discovery on the nonparty directly. If the party seeking the information does not make that request, or if it does so but fails to obtain voluntary cooperation, it may obtain discovery from a nonparty by filing a written motion with the judge, showing the relevance, scope, and materiality of the particular information sought. If the party seeks to take a deposition, it should state in the motion the date, time, and place of the proposed deposition. An authorized official of the MSPB will issue a ruling on the motion, and will serve the ruling on the moving party. That official also will provide that party with a subpoena, if approved, that is directed to the individual or entity from which discovery is sought. The subpoena will specify the manner in which the party may seek compliance with it, and it will specify the time limit for seeking compliance. The party seeking the information is responsible for serving any MSPB-approved discovery request and subpoena on the individual or entity, or for arranging for its service.
(d) Responses to discovery requests.
A party, or a Federal agency that is not a party, must answer a discovery request within the time provided under paragraph (f)(2) of this section, either by furnishing to the requesting party the information or testimony requested or agreeing to make deponents available to testify within a reasonable time, or by stating an objection to the particular request and the reasons for the objection. Parties and non-parties may respond to discovery requests by electronic mail if authorized by the requesting party.
(e) Motions to compel discovery.
(1)
If a party fails or refuses to respond in full to a discovery request, or if a nonparty fails or refuses to respond in full to a MSPB-approved discovery order, the requesting party may file a motion to compel discovery. The requesting party must file the motion with the judge, and must serve a copy of the motion on the other party and on any nonparty entity or person from whom the discovery was sought. Before filing any motion to compel discovery, the moving party shall discuss the anticipated motion with the opposing party either in person or by telephone and the parties shall make a good faith effort to resolve the discovery dispute and narrow the areas of disagreement. The motion shall include:
(i)
A copy of the original request and a statement showing that the information sought is relevant and material; and
(ii)
A copy of the response to the request (including the objections to discovery) or, where appropriate, a statement that no response has been received, along with an affidavit or sworn statement under 28 U.S.C. 1746 supporting the statement (See appendix IV to part 1201.); and
(iii)
A statement that the parties have discussed the anticipated motion and have made a good faith effort to resolve the discovery dispute and narrow the areas of disagreement.
(2)
The other party and any other entity or person from whom discovery was sought may respond to the motion to compel discovery within the time limits stated in paragraph (f)(4) of this section.
(f) Time limits.
(1)
Parties who wish to make discovery requests or motions must serve their initial requests or motions within 25 days after the date on which the judge issues an order to the respondent agency to produce the agency file and response.
(2)
A party or nonparty must file a response to a discovery request promptly, but not later than 20 days after the date of service of the request or order of the judge. Any discovery requests following the initial request must be served within 10 days of the date of service of the prior response, unless the parties are otherwise directed. Deposition witnesses must give their testimony at the time and place stated in the request for deposition or in the subpoena, unless the parties agree on another time or place.
(3)
Any motion to depose a nonparty (along with a request for a subpoena) must be submitted to the judge within the time limits stated in paragraph (f)(1) of this section or as the judge otherwise directs.
(4)
Any motion for an order to compel discovery must be filed with the judge within 10 days of the date of service of objections or, if no response is received, within 10 days after the time limit for response has expired. Any pleading in opposition to a motion to compel discovery must be filed with the judge within 10 days of the date of service of the motion.
(g) Limits on the number of discovery requests.
(1)
Absent prior approval by the judge, interrogatories served by parties upon another party or a nonparty may not exceed 25 in number, including all discrete subparts.
(2)
Absent prior approval by the judge or agreement by the parties, each party may not take more than 10 depositions.
(3)
Requests to exceed the limitations set forth in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this section may be granted at the discretion of the judge. In considering such requests, the judge shall consider the factors identified in § 1201.72(d) of this part.
[73 FR 18150, Apr. 3, 2008]
Title 5 published on 2012-01-01
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Title 5 published on 2012-01-01
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