Section 246-10-402. Discovery.

The parties are encouraged to exchange information and documents related to the case prior to the adjudicative proceeding. Formal discovery is obtained as follows:

(1) Methods, scope and limits:

(a) Parties may obtain discovery by production of records or things; deposition upon oral examination; requests for admission; or, if ordered by the presiding officer, written interrogatories.

(b) Unless otherwise limited by order of the presiding officer in accord with these rules, the scope of discovery shall be as follows:

(i) Parties may obtain discovery regarding any matter not privileged, which is relevant to the subject matter in the pending action. It is not grounds for objection that the information sought will be inadmissible at the adjudicative proceeding if the information sought appears reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence.

(ii) The frequency or extent of use of the discovery methods set forth in these rules shall be limited by the presiding officer if the presiding officer determines that:

(A) The discovery sought is unreasonably cumulative or duplicative, or is obtainable from another source that is more convenient, less burdensome, or less expensive; or

(B) The party seeking discovery has had an ample opportunity by discovery to obtain the information sought; or

(C) The discovery is unduly burdensome or expensive, taking into account the needs of the case, limitations of the parties' resources, and the importance of the issues at stake.

(iii) The presiding officer may limit discovery upon his or her own initiative after reasonable notice or pursuant to a motion submitted by a party.

(2) Production of records, documents or things:

(a) Upon written request of a party the opposing party shall identify experts and other witnesses to be called at a hearing and shall provide other information necessary to enable the party to conduct depositions of the witnesses.

(b) Any party may serve on any other party a request, which must be signed by the party or designated representative:

(i) To produce and permit the party making the request or designee to inspect and copy any designated documents, or to inspect and copy, test, or sample any tangible things which constitute or contain matters within the scope of discovery and which are in the possession, custody or control of the party upon whom the request is served; or

(ii) To permit entry onto designated land or other property which is in the possession or control of the party upon whom the request is served for the purpose of inspection, measuring, surveying, photographing, testing or sampling the property or designated object or operation thereon which is within the scope of discovery.

(c) Any party who produces documents for inspection shall produce them as they are kept in the usual course of business or may, if the parties agree, organize and label them to correspond with the categories in the request.

(d) The party upon whom a request is made may, by motion to the presiding officer, move for an order denying the request to produce or modifying the conditions of the request. Denial of the request or change in the conditions of the request shall be within the discretion of the presiding officer and shall be made by written order.

(3) Depositions may be taken subject to the following conditions:

(a) Within the United States or a territory or insular possession subject to the dominion of the United States, depositions shall be taken before an officer authorized to administer oaths by the state of Washington or of the place where the examination is held. A presiding officer may, in his or her discretion or following motion of a party, preside at the deposition. Within a foreign country, depositions shall be taken before a secretary of an embassy or legation, consul general, vice-consul or consular agent of the United States, or a person designated by the presiding officer or agreed upon by the parties by stipulation in writing filed with the office of professional standards. Except by stipulation, no deposition shall be taken before any person who is a party or a privy of a party, or a privy of any representative of a party, or who is financially interested in the proceeding.

(b) A party desiring to take the deposition of a person upon oral examination shall give reasonable notice of not less than five days in writing to the person to be deposed and to the opposing party. The notice shall state the time and place for taking the deposition, the name and address of each person to be examined, if known, and if the name is not known, a description sufficient to identify the person to be examined or the particular class or group to which the person to be examined belongs. On motion of a party upon whom the notice is served, the presiding officer may for cause shown, lengthen or shorten the time.

(c) After notice is served for taking a deposition, or upon motion of the presiding officer or upon motion reasonably made by any party or by the person to be examined, and upon notice and for good cause, the presiding officer may issue an order that the deposition shall not be taken or that it be taken subject to specified restrictions, conditions, or limitations.

(d) Depositions shall be recorded.

(i) The officer before whom the deposition is taken shall put the witness on oath or affirmation and shall personally or by someone acting under the officer's direction and in the officer's presence, record the testimony.

(ii) The officer or person acting under the officer's direction shall transcribe the testimony at the request of any party, provided that any expenses shall be paid by the requesting party.

(iii) The transcribed testimony shall be submitted to the person deposed for review and signature, unless review and signature are waived by that person. The officer shall append to the transcript any changes in form or substance that may be submitted by the parties.

(iv) Copies of the transcribed and, unless review and signature has been waived, signed testimony shall be served upon the person deposed and upon the parties.

(e) If the parties so stipulate in writing or on the record, depositions may be taken before any person, at any time or place, upon any notice, and in any manner and when so taken, may be used as any other deposition.

(4) Following motion of a party and opportunity for response by the opposing party, the presiding officer may order a party to respond to written interrogatories and may order that the interrogatories be subject to specified restriction, condition, or limitation.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.040. WSR 94-04-079, § 246-10-402, filed 1/31/94, effective 3/3/94; WSR 93-13-005 (Order 369), § 246-10-402, filed 6/3/93, effective 7/4/93.]

RCW 43.70.040. WSR 94-04-079, § 246-10-402, filed 1/31/94, effective 3/3/94; WSR 93-13-005 (Order 369), § 246-10-402, filed 6/3/93, effective 7/4/93.