58 Pa. Code § 493a.11 - Discovery

(a) The ability to obtain discovery in an administrative proceeding before the Board or presiding officer is committed to the discretion of the Board or presiding officer and will generally be limited to the information, documents and list of witnesses that any party will present during a hearing.

(b) The presiding officer may grant a request for discovery if the request will serve to facilitate an efficient and expeditious hearing process, will not unduly prejudice and burden the responding party and as may be required in the interests of justice.

(c) At the discretion of the presiding officer, discovery may be granted and limited to the following:

(1) Written interrogatories.

(2) Depositions.

(3) Production of documents or things.

(d) Each party to a proceeding shall be entitled to the name and address of any witness who may be called to testify on behalf of the opposing party and all documents or other material in the possession or control of the opposing party which the opposing party reasonably expects will be introduced into evidence. The opposing party shall be under a continuing duty to update its response to this request.

(e) The presiding officer may, upon request of a party, permit the testimony of a witness or the introduction of other evidence not disclosed pursuant to a request made under subsection (d), if following a proffer by the party seeking to present the evidence, the presiding officer determines that justice so requires.

(f) Confidential information furnished to or obtained by the Board or the Bureau from any source will not be discoverable under this subsection. If a request for discovery involves confidential information, a party may file a motion for a protective order and the presiding officer will make a determination as to what is deemed confidential.

(g) If a party fails to respond to a discovery request, which was granted by the presiding officer, the opposing party may file a motion to compel discovery with the Clerk. The presiding officer may grant or deny the motion in accordance with § 493a.8(e) (relating to motions generally).

(h) Depositions will be conducted in accordance with 1 Pa. Code §§35.145-35.152 (relating to depositions).

Notes

58 Pa. Code § 493a.11

The provisions of this § 493a.11 amended February 1, 2013, effective 2/2/2013, 43 Pa.B. 660.

The provisions of this § 493a.11 amended under 4 Pa.C.S. §§ 1202(b)(30) and 1207(2) and (9).