Can you file a motion to compel after the discovery deadline?

Asked by: Jett Altenwerth  |  Last update: August 1, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (34 votes)

The Court may reject your Motion to Compel as untimely if you file it after your discovery deadline or long after you became aware of the insufficient response to your discovery request.

Can you file a motion to compel after the discovery deadline federal court?

The federal rules do not contain any time limit in which a motion to compel discovery must be filed.

What is the timeline for motion to compel?

Deadline 45 days: Motion to Compel must be filed within 45 days from insufficient response [See Above].

What happens if discovery responses are late?

What happens if I am late serving my responses? Missing the deadline to serve your responses has a couple of effects: You waive (give up) any objections to the discovery requests. This means that any answers served must contain no objections to the questions.

What are the requirements for a motion to compel?

The notice of any motion to compel must state the following: 1) when and where the hearing will take place; 2) the grounds for the motion, including the specific discovery sought, the statutory authority, and reasons the response is deficient; and 3) the supporting papers (which must also be filed with the motion).

Party Won't Answer Your Discovery Request? File A Motion To Compel Discovery.

15 related questions found

What is the deadline for motion to compel further responses?

Notably, for a motion to compel further discovery responses, there is a strict 45-day deadline to serve notice of motion to compel further discovery responses; as well as a strict meet and confer requirement prior to filing of the motion.

What happens if discovery is not answered?

If the other person did not respond or didn't provide complete responses, try to work it out with them directly first. If that does not work, you can request a court order that requires them to respond or respond with more information. You have 45 days to do this.

What happens when discovery ends?

At the end of the discovery process, both parties should have a reasonably good idea of the strength of their opponent's case as well as their own. A weakness in one party's position may encourage it to try negotiating a settlement to avoid going to trial.

What is the late discovery rule?

This delayed discovery rule in California allows the patient to file a medical malpractice lawsuit one year after the surgery, ensuring they have a fair opportunity to seek legal redress — even if they were not initially aware of the harm caused by the doctor's error and negligence.

What happens if a motion to compel discovery is ignored?

If a party or party's officer, director, or managing agent fails to obey a discovery order, the court may issue further orders. A court must also order a disobedient party, the advising attorney, or both to pay expenses resulting from the failure to reply.

Is motion to compel good or bad?

Motions to compel are often necessary to set the tone in your case and acquire the documents and information you need to win your case. Grounds: When a party who has propounded discovery believes the responses are inadequate, the propounding party may move for a motion to compel a further response.

What is the cut off date for discovery?

The deadline for finishing discovery (the discovery cutoff) is 30 days before the original date set for a trial unless the parties have agreed or the court has ordered to extend the time. You need all the responses by this date.

How do you win a motion to compel?

Some of the simple tactics to follow while filing a motion to compel:
  1. Act in good Faith.
  2. Thorough Knowledge of the Case.
  3. Limit citing voluminous authorities.
  4. Avoid Personal Attacks.

What does discovery deadline mean?

Discovery ends 30 days before trial (the cutoff date). That means, at the very latest anything you ask for must be due 30 days before your trial. At the latest, you need to serve your requests 60 days before your trial date (65 if you serve by mail).

What are the consequences of motion to compel?

If a motion to compel discovery is granted, the prosecution is legally obligated to provide the requested evidence. Failure to comply can lead to various consequences, including sanctions, case dismissal, or a reversal of a conviction on appeal due to the violation of discovery rights.

What can a party do when the other side fails to respond to discovery requests?

If the opposing side does not respond to your form interrogatories, special interrogatories, or request for production, you may file a motion seeking an order compelling the opposing party to respond. This Guide provides step-by-step instructions for seeking such an order.

What is the time limit for discovery?

If you have submitted a tax return

Such discovery assessments may only be issued within six years of the end of the tax year of assessment where there has been careless behaviour, or within four years if there was no careless behaviour, but can be issued within 20 years if the behaviour was deliberate.

Are objections waived if discovery is late?

Yes. If you serve discovery late, you have waived objections, potentially even objections as to privilege and work product.

What is the Brady rule of discovery?

The Brady doctrine is a pretrial discovery rule that was established by the United States Supreme Court in Brady v. Maryland (1963). The rule requires that the prosecution must turn over all exculpatory evidence to the defendant in a criminal case.

Do most cases settle after discovery?

However, most personal injury cases settle before trial. Instead, they may offer the settlement well after the trial starts. This typically happens after discovery, but it may even happen after the jury reaches a verdict.

What typically takes place after discovery is finished?

What Happens After the Discovery Phase in a Lawsuit? Once the discovery phase is complete, the parties better understand the strengths and weaknesses of their respective cases. With this information, they can engage in settlement negotiations to resolve the dispute without going to trial.

How long should a discovery last?

If you're eyeing a Land Rover Discovery or any model from this luxury brand, you might wonder about its longevity. On average, a well-maintained Land Rover Discovery can accompany you on the road for about 13 years or hit the 200,000-mile mark.

How long does a motion to compel take?

It depends if there was a hearing or not on your motion to compel. If there was not a hearing, you can expect an order on the motion generally within 30 days, depending on how busy the judge's desk is.

What happens after discovery closes?

After discovery, lawyers begin preparing for trial. They'll sort through evidence, argue legal issues to posture the case for trial, design their trial strategy and themes, and more. In addition, your lawyer may file motions asking the court for rulings in the case.

What should you not do in a discovery call?

Let's look at things that a sales rep should refrain from saying or doing during his initial interaction with the prospect.
  • # Don't ask what you already know.
  • # Don't Talk (too much)
  • # Don't pop the question, yet!
  • # Don't jump in without an agenda:
  • # Don't miss the pain points :
  • # Don't just call: