What is the order of a motion to compel?

Asked by: Mckenzie Lueilwitz  |  Last update: April 18, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (8 votes)

A motion to compel asks the court to order either the opposing party or a third party to take some action. 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 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.

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.

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.

How to 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.

Discovery: What is a Motion to Compel?

33 related questions found

What does order on motion to compel mean?

A motion to compel asks the court to order either the opposing party or a third party to take some action. 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.

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 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 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 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 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 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.

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 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 is the deadline for motion to compel after discovery?

The Court may reject your Motion to Compel as untimely if you file it after your discovery deadline or long after you became aware of the insufficient response to your discovery request.

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.

How long does it take to respond to 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.

How do you fight a motion to compel?

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.

What is a motion to dismiss?

A motion to dismiss is a formal request by a party to the court to dismiss a case. This pretrial motion is often filed before a criminal or civil case begins. Often, the defendant files this type of motion shortly after receiving the complaint and before engaging in further legal proceedings.

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.

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.

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 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.