What is included in a motion to compel?

Asked by: Alvena Gulgowski  |  Last update: March 11, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (19 votes)

(c) Contents of the Motion A motion to compel a response to discovery must include: the nature of the questions or request at issue; the response or objections of the party upon whom the request was served; arguments in support of the motion; and.

What are the elements of a motion to compel?

Elements to keep in mind while filing the Motion to Compel is to mention the nature of the case, identify the question that needs to be answered or the object or document that is needed and explain how it relates to the case, attach the other party's written refusal to make available the information or object, make it ...

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 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 are the elements of a motion to compel arbitration?

A motion requests the court for a specific ruling, direction, or order. One such motion is the Motion to Compel Arbitration. You can compel arbitration as long as you have a valid and enforceable written agreement to force the other party to submit the dispute to arbitration.

Discovery: What is a Motion to Compel?

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What happens after a motion to compel arbitration is granted?

If, after granting the motion to compel arbitration, the district court stays the case and does not dismiss it, the FAA forbids an interlocutory appeal by the party opposing the motion to compel arbitration who desires to remain in court. See 9 U.S.C. § 16(b)(2).

When should you compel arbitration?

It is best practice to move to compel arbitration early in the litigation.

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 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 the timeline for a motion to compel?

Motion to compel further discovery responses

Notice of said motion (c) must be served within 45 days of the service of the verified response (five extra days if mailed pursuant to C.C.P. § 1013) or by a specific date agreed upon in writing by both parties; else the right to bring the motion is waived.

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 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.

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.

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.

Is a 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. (Code Civ.

What happens after a motion to compel is granted?

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 are the requirements for a motion to compel?

A motion to compel a response to discovery must include:
  • the nature of the questions or request at issue;
  • the response or objections of the party upon whom the request was served;
  • arguments in support of the motion; and.

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.

What is burdensome discovery?

A discovery request can be unduly burdensome or oppressive if complying with the request would require too much time, energy, and expense for the responding party. This objection is most often used with document requests but can apply to other areas of discovery.

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 a judge refuse to hear a motion?

The judge, as the central figure, listens to the arguments, asks questions, and ultimately decides whether to grant or deny the motion.

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 happens after a motion to compel arbitration is filed?

If a party has a pending lawsuit with arbitrable and non-arbitrable clauses and a petition to compel arbitration has been granted, a plaintiff may dismiss his/her lawsuit without prejudice under Code of Civil Procedure section 581 and as long as the statute of limitations allows, file a second suit without the ...

What 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 ...

Should you ever agree to arbitration?

Arbitration might be the right choice for some cases. Limited discovery rights and costs might be useful when less is at stake. Arbitration might feel less adversarial, which could be an advantage where ongoing relationships are hoped to be preserved. Arbitration lends some confidentiality.