How to fight a motion to compel?
Asked by: Ari Kshlerin | Last update: June 13, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (43 votes)
You need to give the court a reason to deny the other side's motion to compel. There are many different reasons you could give. Take out your Response to the discovery request. You should have identified reasons in your Response for why you weren't turning over certain information.
How serious is a motion to compel?
In the legal discovery process, a motion to compel plays a pivotal role when one party fails or refuses to comply with discovery requests from the opposing side. It is a formal legal request made to the court by the aggrieved party seeking enforcement of discovery obligations.
How to argue a motion to compel?
California Rules of Court, rule 3.1345(c) requires that the separate statement in support of a motion to compel further responses provide “all the information necessary to understand each discovery request and all the responses to it that are at issue.” It must also “be full and complete so that no person is required ...
What is the burden of proof for motion to compel?
Generally, the proponent of a motion to compel discovery bears the initial burden of proving that the information sought is relevant.
What happens if someone ignores a motion to compel?
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.
The truth about Motions to Compel
What is the time limit for a motion to compel?
Timing: The notice of motion to compel a further response to written discovery must be served within 45 days of service of the verified response at issue or of when any verified supplemental response was served. (§ 2030.300(c)).
What is the golden rule letter?
However, in general, the Golden Rule letter is a letter sent by one party to the other, proposing settlement terms based on what the sending party would accept if they were in the receiving party's position.
Can you object to a motion to compel?
The answering or objecting party may file a response to the motion to compel. The response must contain adequate justification for that party's objections, or argument showing why the party's answers to the discovery requests at issue were sufficient.
What consequences can result from a refusal to cooperate with an order compelling discovery?
Failure of United States to Participate in Good Faith in Discovery. Rule 37 authorizes the court to direct that parties or attorneys who fail to participate in good faith in the discovery process pay the expenses, including attorney's fees, incurred by other parties as a result of that failure.
What is a good faith letter before motion to compel?
This letter is often called a good faith letter. And it is needed under many courts' rules before you can file a motion to compel discovery if the other party ignores your requests or provides evasive responses or move for sanctions if your opponent refuses to comply with the court's discovery order.
Do judges read motions before court?
If you are referring to motions on legal issues the judge will review them in the course of the hearing or trial. If you are referring to documents to be submitted as evidence the judge may rule on their relevance and/or admissibility prior to going forward .
How to counter a motion?
If one party to a case has filed a motion with the court, the other side can file an “opposition.” An “opposition” is a written statement explaining to the judge why the other side is not entitled to whatever he is asking for in his motion. It is your opportunity to oppose the other side's request.
Do you need a separate statement for motion to compel?
All discovery motions should include a notice of motion and motion. In addition, motions to compel further responses must include a separate statement and meet and confer declaration.
How to win a motion to compel?
- Act in good Faith.
- Thorough Knowledge of the Case.
- Limit citing voluminous authorities.
- Avoid Personal Attacks.
What is a motion to compel settlement?
One of the most common practices to enforce a settlement agreement is to file a motion to enforce settlement agreement in court. This motion calls on the court to enforce the agreed upon terms, and the judge has the final say. His or her role is to analyze evidence presented and listen to oral testimony by both sides.
Is a motion to compel a subpoena?
A motion to compel is the method by which a subpoenaing party may compel production, if the reporter refuses to comply with the demands of the subpoena.
What happens if you don't respond to a motion to compel?
Courts enforce their orders by imposing sanctions on a party who fails to comply. Sanctions can be monetary, such as requiring one party to pay the other parties attorneys' fees and/or imposing a monetary fine, or they can hamper a party's ability to put on their case.
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 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.
How do you oppose a motion to compel?
If the other attorney or party opposes your motion, you may choose to serve and file a reply to the opposition at least five court days prior to the motion. CCP § 1005. It must be served by overnight mail to reach the opposing party no more than one day after it is filed.
Do you have to give everything asked for in discovery?
The Discovery Process
You must answer each request and give the compiled information back to your attorney. Your attorney will then finalize the responses and make any relevant objections before sending the answers to the opposing party's attorney.
What are the reasons for motion to compel?
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 the silver rule?
The Silver Rule is basically the “Negative” Golden Rule. Taleb writes it as follows: “Do not treat others the way you would not like them to treat you.” Stated another way: if you don't want “X” done to you, don't do “X” to someone else.
Can I request discovery without a lawyer?
In certain cases, you might be able to write a letter to the other side and request the documents that you need. However, in more formal cases, you will likely have to draft more formal discovery demands. There are usually forms available for this in local law libraries, from the court clerk's office, or online.
What is reptile theory?
Reptile theory encourages the jury to focus on the acts of the defendant rather than the specific facts surrounding the individual plaintiff's injury. Combat that strategy by assessing your case promptly and developing your defense theory at the outset.