What are the requirements for a motion to compel?

Asked by: Kody Weber  |  Last update: November 26, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (47 votes)

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).

What is needed for a motion to compel?

California requires that the moving party provides a statement in support of the motion to compel. This is known as a 3-1020 document which includes the question asked, the answer given, and a reason as to why the answer should be compelled.

Why would a motion to compel be denied?

A judge might deny a motion to compel for several reasons, including: The requested information was not essential to the case. The opposing party already produced the requested material. The motion did not specifically name what materials were being sought.

What is the meet and confer requirement before motion to compel?

Meet and Confer

This typically means sending a letter that informs the opposing attorney or self-represented litigant that the deadline to respond has passed, and providing him or her a reasonable time to respond, after which you would file a motion to compel responses.

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.

Discovery: What is a Motion to Compel?

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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.

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 happens after a motion to compel is filed?

Opposing counsel may but does not have to respond to the motion to compel. The court at the hearing will then enter an order on the motion to compel and will likely issue sanctions against the other party.

What is a Rule 26 meeting?

Rule 26(f) describes a conference of two parties (the plaintiff and defendant) to cooperate and set out a clear plan for the process of discovery. In terms of responsibility for arrangement, both parties are jointly responsible—and this remains true as the case progresses.

What happens if you don't meet and confer?

Failing to do a meet and confer can result in sanctions or the court's refusal to rule on motions you file, if the issue should have been addressed in a meet and confer first.

Is motion to compel good or bad?

Too often, however, parties fail to make meaningful efforts to respond to written discovery. Motions to compel are powerful tools to educate opposing counsel on, and enforce, discovery obligations. A discovery motion may be required whenever a party is seemingly withholding information.

What is the burden of proof 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 is compelled evidence?

Compelled testimony refers to the legal process by which an individual is forced to provide evidence or statements in a legal setting, often against their will.

What are the reasons for motion to compel?

(a) Generally

If a party or witness fails to adequately respond to a proper request for discovery, the party seeking discovery may file a motion with the ALJ for an order compelling a response in accordance with the request. An evasive or incomplete response to discovery may be treated as a failure to respond.

Can you oppose a motion to compel?

Oppositions to motions to compel must be filed no later than 9 days before the hearing. Replies must be filed no later than 5 days before the hearing. Service of oppositions and replies require receipt by the opposing party within 1 business day of the filing deadline. (Code Civ.

What is a motion to compel for dummies?

A motion to compel is a legal request made by one party to enforce the production of relevant information or evidence during the discovery process of a case. If one party fails or refuses to respond to discovery requests, the opposing party may file a motion to compel to seek court intervention and ensure compliance.

Does rule 11 apply to discovery?

For over eighty years, Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure has authorized sanctions to combat frivolous legal arguments and factual allegations in some paper presentations. Since 1993, however, the rule has not applied to discovery.

What is rule 26 simplified?

Rule 26 dictates the pretrial information exchange (commonly referred to as Rule 26 electronic discovery or simply eDiscovery) between parties to uncover relevant proof. At its core, Rule 26 seeks to strike a balance between efficient case development and reasonable demands in the face of litigation stakes.

Is not reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence?

An objection that a discovery request is “not reasonably calculated to lead to admissible evidence” is an outdated type of objection, as that language no longer defines the scope of discovery in federal court.

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 is the compel process?

A motion to compel is a formal request made by one party in a legal case to the court, seeking an order that the opposing party must provide certain information or take specific actions within a specified timeframe.

What is the order of a motion to compel?

What is a Motion to Compel? A Motion to Compel is a formal request to the Court to require a party or a non-party in a lawsuit to comply with a discovery request such as a request for production, request for admission, interrogatory, or subpoena.

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 happens if someone doesn 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.

What is a Rule 27 motion?

This rule offers a simple method of perpetuating testimony in cases where it is usually allowed under equity practice or under modern statutes. See Arizona v. California, 292 U.S. 341 (1934); Todd Engineering Dry Dock and Repair Co. v. United States, 32 F. (2d) 734 (C.C.A.