by John Perez, Esq.
Effective September 1, 2014, New Jersey will join the ranks of a majority the states that have simplified the procedure for issuing foreign deposition subpoenas consistent with the Uniform Interstate Deposition and Discovery Act (UIDDA).
The New Jersey Supreme Court has amended Rule 4:11-4 to provide a new section, R. 4:11-4(b), incorporating the concept of the UIDDA, while at the same time retaining R. 4:11-4(a) that provided for obtaining foreign deposition subpoenas by petition to, and Order from, the Court. Amended R. 4:11-4 is attached.
The Uniform Law Commission, formerly the National Council of Commissioners on Uniforms State Laws (NCCUSL), promulgated the UIDDA in 2007. The Act sets forth an efficient and inexpensive procedure for litigants to depose out-of-state individuals, and for the production of discoverable materials that may be located out-of-state. Uniform procedures have become necessary, as the amount of litigation involving individuals and documents located outside of the trial state has increased. Since then, 31 states have adopted the UIDDA, some verbatim, others with variations in their wording.
Under the UIDDA, litigants can present to a clerk of the court located in the state where discoverable materials are sought with a subpoena issued by a court in the trial state. Once the clerk receives the foreign subpoena, the clerk will issue a subpoena for service upon the person or entity on which the original subpoena is directed. The terms of the issued subpoena must incorporate the same terms as the original subpoena and contain the contact information for all counsel of record and any party not represented by counsel.
The Act requires minimal judicial oversight and eliminates the need for obtaining a commission or local counsel in the discovery state, letters rogatory, or the filing of a miscellaneous action during the discovery phase of litigation. Discovery authorized by the subpoena is to comply with the rules of state in which it occurs. Furthermore, motions to quash, enforce, or modify a subpoena issued pursuant to the Act shall be brought in and governed by the rules the discovery state.
New Jersey R. 4:11-4(b) incorporates this concept and provides, additionally, that not only the clerk of Superior Court in the county where the discovery is to take place may issue the foreign subpoena, but also an attorney licensed to practice law in the State. Thus, an out-of-state litigant has two choices; file the request(s) with the clerk of court in the appropriate county, and pay filing fees, or have a New Jersey attorney prepare and issue the subpoena(s). Service of subpoenas, in either case, would be arranged through local process servers.
Interstate Deposition Subpoena Service, Inc., based in Newark, NJ and San Francisco, CA, has been assisting litigants throughout the United States in the proper issuance and service of foreign deposition subpoenas in all jurisdictions. We are available to continue doing so, not only in New Jersey, but in all jurisdictions throughout the US.
See InterstateDeposition.com for our services summary, or call (800) 981-0088.
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