what is motion to compel discovery and request for attorney fees

by Mr. Berta Cormier 8 min read

The moving party may also request attorney’s fees after the opponent failed to respond to the discovery request in a timely manner. When a Motion to Compel May Be Used A motion to compel is often used to compel discovery when discovery disputes are present.

If the motion [to compel] is granted and after opportunity for hearing, the court shall require the party or deponent whose conduct necessitated the motion or the party or counsel advising the conduct to pay to the moving party the reasonable expenses incurred in obtaining the order that may include attorneys' fees, ...Feb 22, 2019

Full Answer

What is a motion to compel discovery?

The motion to compel discovery is the formal pleading asking the court to enforce a request for information or documents or specific action relevant to the case. Types of Motions to Compel: Situations Where You Might Ask the Court to Enforce Discovery Requests Motions to compel apply to all types of discovery requests.

What are the rules of court for discovery requests?

Discovery is a key step in the legal process, allowing each party to request specific information from the other party. Each side reviews propounded discovery, using it to build their case. If one side neglects to respond to requests for discovery by the deadline, the requesting party may choose to file a motion to compel discovery. Other situations may warrant a motion to compel, …

When is an award of attorney's fees made for Discovery?

Jul 28, 2019 · There is a common misconception by some family law attorneys, and bench officers, that equitable family law considerations of need and ability to pay are determinative to discovery motions made under the California Civil Discovery Act in terms of a court awarding, refusing to award, or reducing an award, for attorney fees and costs incurred in the course of …

What happens if the other party fails to respond to discovery?

Aug 02, 2018 · A motion to compel is a request for an opposing party to produce certain information, typically information that was previously requested during the discovery process of a case. The moving party asks the court to order the opposing party to produce documents or other information, often at their expense.

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What is the purpose of a motion to compel discovery?

A motion to compel asks the court to order either the opposing party or a third party to take some action. This sort of motion most commonly deals with discovery disputes, when a party who has propounded discovery to either the opposing party or a third party believes that the discovery responses are insufficient.

What is a motion to compel discovery responses?

Before a party files a motion to compel a response to discovery, the party must make a good faith effort to confer with the person or party allegedly failing to properly respond to a request for discovery in an effort to secure information or material without action by the ALJ.Dec 22, 2020

What does compel payment mean?

Compel means to constrain someone, in some way, to yield or to do what one wishes: to compel a recalcitrant debtor to pay; Fate compels us to face danger and trouble.

What does motion to compel mean in law?

A motion to compel asks the presiding probate and family judge to order one party to provide the opposing side with evidence related to the divorce proceedings. Such evidence may include: Deposition testimony. Requests for admissions of undisputed facts.Jul 28, 2020

What does compel mean in court?

When that happens, a party can file a motion to compel, asking the Court to order the opposing party to produce the contested documents or information. If a motion to compel is granted and the Court orders the information produced, failing to comply with that order can lead to serious consequences.

How do you compel evidence?

Filing a motion to compel

A motion to compel must provide a detailed summary and explanation of the facts. In your motion, you must outline what information, document or evidence you've asked from the other party and why are they relevant to the case.
Jun 12, 2020

Does compelled mean forced?

Compel means to force or drive someone to do something.

What is the difference between Compel and compelling?

As verbs the difference between compel and compelling

is that compel is (transitive|archaic|literally) to drive together, round up while compelling is (compel).

What is a discovery motion?

A motion for discovery is a legal request to the court in a civil trial. The request asks the court to mandate that the opposing council and party turn over a given piece of material or information. It occurs during the pre-trial process in which each party prepares his or her case to present to the judge.Apr 17, 2022

What is an application to compel?

If a party fails to comply with a request for disclosure, the applicant may apply to court to compel disclosure, failing which the court may strike out the defence, dismiss the claim or grant the applicant further relief.

What consequences can result from a refusal to cooperate with an order compelling discovery?

Motion for Sanctions – If the court issues an order compelling discovery, and the party fails to comply with that order, then the court may sanction the party in numerous ways such as refusing to let in the party's evidence at trial, dismissing their lawsuit, or striking their defense to a lawsuit, and imposing ...

What is motion to compel arbitration?

Definition. A motion to compel arbitration is a request made to a court in a pending litigation matter to force a party to submit the dispute to arbitration.

What happens if a motion to compel is ignored?

Consequences of Refusing to Provide Evidence Requested in a Motion to Compel. If the court issues an order that compels your spouse to produce the...

What happens if you don't respond to a motion to compel?

Motion for Sanctions If the court issues an order compelling discovery, and the party fails to comply with that order, then the court may sanction...

What happens in a motion to compel discovery hearing?

A motion to compel asks the court to enforce a request for information relevant to a case.The requesting party files a motion to compel discovery r...

What happens if a motion to compel is ignored by defendant?

Consequences of Refusing to Provide Evidence Requested in a Motion to Compel. If the court issues an order that compels your spouse to produce the...

Is motion to compel bad?

If a motion to compel is disobeyed, it can lead to consequences such as: another, more serious court order; fines or fees; other different procedur...

How many days do you have to respond to a motion to compel?

The motion to compel further responses has to be brought within 45 days of service of the response. (C.C.P. § 2030.300) Sounds simple enough, but i...

What happens when a motion to compel is filed?

When a motion to compel is filed with the court, a hearing is scheduled. At the hearing, the party that filed the motion will need to tell the judg...

What happens if a defendant does not answer a complaint?

Failure to Respond: If a defendant fails to answer the complaint or file a motion to dismiss within the time limit set forth in the summons, the de...

What is a motion for sanctions?

Motion for Sanctions If the court issues an order compelling discovery, and the party fails to comply with that order, then the court may sanction the party in numerous ways such as refusing to let in the party's evidence at trial, dismissing their lawsuit or striking their defense to a lawsuit, and imposing.

What happens if a defendant fails to respond to a complaint?

Failure to Respond: If a defendant fails to answer the complaint or file a motion to dismiss within the time limit set forth in the summons, the defendant is in default. The plaintiff can ask the court clerk to make a note of that fact in the file, a procedure called entry of default.

What is discovery in court?

Discovery is the process by which the parties to a legal action request and obtain information and evidence from the other parties. The Rules of Court of each jurisdiction are very specific as to how this information can be requested, and how the other party must respond – including a very tight timeline. Failing to provide full responses ...

Why do you file a motion to compel?

Another reason a Motion to Compel might be filed is a third party or witness’ refusal to comply with a subpoena, or refusal to testify in a deposition. Procedures for issuing a subpoena, whether for a person to appear for deposition, or for a person to provide copies of documents, are clearly outlined in the jurisdiction’s Rules of Court.

What is a motion in court?

What is a Motion. In the U.S., a motion is a tool used to ask the court to make a decision on something. A motion can be filed at any point during a legal action, when something pertaining to the case itself is disputed.

When can a motion be filed?

A motion can be filed at any point during a legal action, when something pertaining to the case itself is disputed. The types of motions that may be made, and the procedure for making a motion is governed by the rules of court for the specific jurisdiction. Motions are commonly made for a wide variety of purposes, such as:

What is a motion to dismiss?

Motion to Dismiss – a request for the court to dismiss the lawsuit or legal action without a decision in favor of either party. Motion for Modification – a request that the court change, or “modify,” a previously made order of the court, such as a child custody order. Motion for Sanctions – a request that the court impose sanctions, ...

What is a motion for modification?

Motion for Modification – a request that the court change, or “modify,” a previously made order of the court, such as a child custody order. Motion for Sanctions – a request that the court impose sanctions, or a “penalty,” on a party to the case for some wrongdoing in administering the case. Motion to Compel – a request ...

What is a motion for sanctions?

Motion for Sanctions – a request that the court impose sanctions, or a “penalty,” on a party to the case for some wrongdoing in administering the case. Motion to Compel – a request that the court order a party to the legal action to do something, which has previously been ordered, or which is within the bounds of normal procedure.

What is the new rule for discovery conference?

Subdivision (b) (2). New Rule 26 (f) provides that if a discovery conference is held, at its close the court shall enter an order respecting the subsequent conduct of discovery. The amendment provides that the sanctions available for violation of other court orders respecting discovery are available for violation of the discovery conference order.

What is the rule in Hammond Packing Co. v. Arkansas?

The provisions of this rule authorizing orders establishing facts or excluding evidence or striking pleadings, or authorizing judgments of dismissal or default, for refusal to answer questions or permit inspection or otherwise make discovery, are in accord with Hammond Packing Co. v. Arkansas, 212 U.S. 322 (1909), which distinguishes between the justifiable use of such measures as a means of compelling the production of evidence, and their unjustifiable use, as in Hovey v. Elliott, 167 U.S. 409 (1897), for the mere purpose of punishing for contempt.

Why was Rule 37 amended?

The language of Rule 37 has been amended as part of the general restyling of the Civil Rules to make them more easily understood and to make style and terminology consistent throughout the rules. These changes are intended to be stylistic only.

What is subdivision F?

Subdivision (f) is new. It focuses on a distinctive feature of computer operations, the routine alteration and deletion of information that attends ordinary use. Many steps essential to computer operation may alter or destroy information, for reasons that have nothing to do with how that information might relate to litigation. As a result, the ordinary operation of computer systems creates a risk that a party may lose potentially discoverable information without culpable conduct on its part. Under Rule 37 (f), absent exceptional circumstances, sanctions cannot be imposed for loss of electronically stored information resulting from the routine, good-faith operation of an electronic information system.

What is the repeal of subd. (f)?

Pub. L. 96—481 repealed subd. (f) which provided that except to the extent permitted by statute, expenses and fees may not be awarded against the United States under this rule.

What is subdivision 37(a)(3)(B)(iv)?

Rule 37 (a) (3) (B) (iv) is amended to reflect the common practice of producing copies of documents or electronically stored information rather than simply permitting inspection. This change brings item (iv) into line with paragraph (B), which provides a motion for an order compelling “production, or inspection.”

What is Rule 37?

Rule 37 (a) provides relief to a party seeking discovery against one who, with or without stated objections, fails to afford the discovery sought. It has always fully served this function in relation to depositions, but the amendments being made to Rules 33 and 34 give Rule 37 (a) added scope and importance.

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