What is needed for a motion to compel?

Asked by: Prof. Rodger Mraz  |  Last update: May 8, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (46 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 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.

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 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.

Discovery: What is a Motion to Compel?

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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 serious?

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 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.

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].

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.

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.

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.

How do you win 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.

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.

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 is a motion of contempt?

A contempt motion is a motion filed in family court when the other parent doesn't obey a court order. The court order is most often based upon the agreement of the parties but sometimes is based upon solely a prior order entered by the judge.

Who can file a motion to compel?

Thereafter, if the questions have not been adequately responded to, then the moving party may ask the court for a motion to compel. California requires that the moving party provides a statement in support of the motion to compel.

How long does it take to rule on a motion?

Depends on the judge. Most judges will turn around a decision quickly for a motion. That usually means 2 to 3 weeks. However, there is no “lazy judge” for Federal judges.

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.

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 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 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.

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 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 ...

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.