What happens if a motion to compel is denied?

Asked by: Pedro Herzog  |  Last update: July 8, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (43 votes)

Rule 37(a)(5)(B) provides that, if a court denies a motion to compel, the court “must, after giving an opportunity to be heard, require the movant, the attorney filing the motion, or Case 2:15-cv-00850-KRS-GBW Document 68 Filed 01/27/17 Page 3 of 4 Page 4 4 both to pay the party or deponent who opposed the motion its ...

Why would a motion to compel be denied?

The declaration may also include information obtained from other parties or non-parties that would support the relevance of the discovery you seek to compel. The declaration must be filed with the notice. Failure to include the declaration will serve as a basis to deny a motion to compel further responses.

What happens after a motion to compel arbitration is denied?

If a motion to compel arbitration is denied, the movant can immediately appeal that decision under 9 U.S.C. § 16. But if the motion to compel arbitration is granted, Smith's requirement that the case be stayed rather than dismissed leaves the opposing party little appellate recourse, at least in the short term.

What are the consequences of a 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?

If the opposing party does not answer, then you have to file a motion to compel the opposing party to respond. The party must answer your request if the court orders them to. If the party still does not answer, they can be held in contempt of court and/or a default judgment can be issued in your favor.

The truth about Motions to Compel

29 related questions found

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

(b) Failure to Comply with a Court Order. (1) Sanctions Sought in the District Where the Deposition Is Taken. If the court where the discovery is taken orders a deponent to be sworn or to answer a question and the deponent fails to obey, the failure may be treated as contempt of court.

How do you fight 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 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 does granted in part and denied in part mean?

It means exactly what it says - the Petitioner's motion was granted in part and denied in part. He got the Judge to agree to part of what he asked for and did not on the balance.

What happens if one party refuses arbitration?

On petition of a party to an arbitration agreement alleging the existence of a written agreement to arbitrate a controversy and that a party thereto refuses to arbitrate such controversy, the court shall order the petitioner and the respondent to arbitrate the controversy if it determines that an agreement to arbitrate ...

Can you appeal a motion to compel arbitration?

If a judge denies a motion to compel arbitration, the losing party has the right to an immediate appeal of that decision. This right to appeal provides an incentive for companies to enforce their arbitration provisions, while removing the insulation from appeal that other pretrial orders enjoy.

Can a judge overrule an arbitration agreement?

Decisions indicate that a court may review an arbitrator's award if it appears that the arbitrator substituted his judgment for that of the parties, the award does not draw its essence from the contract, the award contains material error, and the award is against public law or policy.

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.

What is motion denied in court?

When a motion is denied, it means the court has rejected the request made in the motion, finding it lacks sufficient merit or legal basis. This decision prevents the requested action or ruling from being implemented in the case.

Does a motion to compel require a separate statement?

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.

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 happens after a motion to compel is filed?

A motion to compel discovery is a request to the judge to order the prosecution to hand over evidence. If the court grants the motion, the judge will order that the appropriate materials be released on a plan of sanctions such as fines, suppression of evidence, and even a dismissal of the charges.

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.

How many days is a motion to compel?

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

How do you argue a motion?

  1. Understand Judicial Attention Spans:
  2. Be Certain Your Brief and Arguments Tell the Story. ...
  3. Employ Innocence by Association. ...
  4. Avoid “Red Flag” Clues for the Judicial Reader. ...
  5. Avoid Ad Hominem Attacks and Language. ...
  6. Argue to Win. ...
  7. Never Squander Credibility.

How long do you have to file a motion to compel in federal court?

The federal rules do not contain any time limit in which a motion to compel discovery must be filed. But you should check your court's local rules and even the judge's standing order. For instance, in the Northern District of California you must move to compel within seven days of the close of discovery.

What happens if someone doesn't respond to discovery?

If the other person does not respond, or their response is still incomplete, you can ask the court to order them to respond. You have 45 days from the service of the most recent responses to ask the court to make an order requiring an answer. If the response was served by mail, 5 extra days are added.

What happens if defendant lies in discovery?

When the truth is discovered, the judge may impose a fine, assign additional litigation costs, or dismiss the case entirely if it was brought by the party who provided false information.

What happens if you don't provide discovery?

The other party might not respond, or s/he could file a “motion to compel discovery.” A motion to compel discovery is a written request to the judge in which the party seeking discovery asks the judge to issue an order requiring that the other party turns over the requested documents by a certain date or face certain ...