Title: ORDER ADOPTING AMENDMENTS TO THE RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE AND GENERAL RULES OF PRACTICE RELATING TO THE CIVIL JUSTICE REFORM TASK FORCE.

State: minnesota

Issuer: Minnesota Supreme Court

Document:

1 STATE OF MINNESOTA IN SUPREME COURT ADM10-8051 ADM09-8009 ADM04-8001 ORDER ADOPTING AMENDMENTS TO THE RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE AND GENERAL RULES OF PRACTICE RELATING TO THE CIVIL JUSTICE REFORM TASK FORCE The Civil Justice Reform Task Force recommended certain amendments to the Rules of Civil Procedure and the General Rules of Practice for the District Courts aimed at facilitating more cost effective and efficient civil case processing. The Court has reviewed the proposals, received public comments, and is advised in the premises. IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT: 1. The attached amendments to the Rules of Civil Procedure and the General Rules of Practice for the District Courts, and the same are, prescribed and promulgated to be effective July 1, 2013. 2. These amendments apply to all actions or proceedings pending on or commenced on or after the effective date provided that: a. No action shall be involuntarily dismissed pursuant to Minn. R. Civ. P. 5.04 until one year after the effective date; and b. Amendments to Minn. R. Civ. P. 26 apply only to actions commenced on or after the effective date provided that the court may in any case direct the parties to comply with all or part of the rule as part of a pretrial order. Dated: February 4, 2013 BY THE COURT: ___/s/_______________________ Lorie S. Gildea Chief Justice 2 MINNESOTA RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE 1 [NOTE: In the following amendments, deletions are indicated by a line drawn through the words 2 and additions are indicated by a line drawn under the words.] 3 4 RULE 1. SCOPE OF RULES 5 These rules govern the procedure in the district courts of the State of Minnesota in all 6 suits of a civil nature, with the exceptions stated in Rule 81. They shall be construed and 7 administered to secure the just, speedy, and inexpensive determination of every action. 8 It is the responsibility of the court and the parties to examine each civil action to assure 9 that the process and the costs are proportionate to the amount in controversy and the complexity 10 and importance of the issues. The factors to be considered by the court in making a 11 proportionality assessment include, without limitation: needs of the case, amount in controversy, 12 parties’ resources, and complexity and importance of the issues at stake in the litigation. 13 * * * 14 15 RULE 3. COMMENCEMENT OF THE ACTION; SERVICE OF THE COMPLAINT; 16 FILING OF THE ACTION 17 Rule 3.01 Commencement of the Action 18 A civil action is commenced against each defendant: 19 20 (a) when the summons is served upon that defendant, or 21 22 (b) at the date of acknowledgement of service if service is made by mail, or 23 24 (c) when the summons is delivered to the sheriff in the county where the 25 defendant resides for service; but such delivery shall be ineffectual unless within 60 days 26 thereafter the summons is actually served on that defendant or the first publication 27 thereof is made. 28 29 Filing requirements are set forth in Rule 5.04, which requires filing with the court within 30 one year after commencement for non-family cases. 31 32 * * * 33 34 3 RULE 5. SERVICE AND FILING OF PLEADINGS AND OTHER PAPERS 35 * * * 36 Rule 5.04 Filing; Certificate of Service 37 Any action that is not filed with the court within one year of commencement against any 38 party is deemed dismissed with prejudice against all parties unless the parties within that year 39 sign a stipulation to extend the filing period. This paragraph does not apply to family cases 40 governed by rules 301 to 378 of the General Rules of Practice for the District Courts. 41 All papers after the complaint required to be served upon a party, together with a 42 certificate of service, shall be filed with the court within a reasonable time after service, except 43 disclosures under Rule 26, expert disclosures and reports, depositions upon oral examination and 44 interrogatories, requests for documents, requests for admission, and answers and responses 45 thereto shall not be filed unless upon order of the court or for use in the proceeding. 46 The administrator shall not refuse to accept for filing any paper presented for that purpose 47 solely because it is not presented in proper form as required by these rules or any local rules or 48 practices. 49 * * * 50 51 RULE 26. DUTY TO DISCLOSE; GENERAL PROVISIONS GOVERNING 52 DISCOVERY 53 26.01 Discovery MethodsRequired Disclosures 54 Parties may obtain discovery by one or more of the following methods: depositions by 55 oral examination or written questions; written interrogatories; production of documents or things 56 or permission to enter upon land or other property; for inspection and other purposes; physical 57 (including blood) and mental examinations; and requests for admission. 58 (a) Initial Disclosure. 59 (1) In General. Except as exempted by Rule 26.01(a)(2) or as otherwise 60 stipulated or ordered by the court, a party must, without awaiting a discovery request, 61 provide to the other parties: 62 (A) the name and, if known, the address and telephone number of each 63 individual likely to have discoverable information—along with the subjects of 64 that information—that the disclosing party may use to support its claims or 65 defenses, unless the use would be solely for impeachment; 66 (B) a copy—or a description by category and location—of all documents, 67 electronically stored information, and tangible things that the disclosing party has 68 4 in its possession, custody, or control and may use to support its claims or 69 defenses, unless the use would be solely for impeachment; 70 (C) a computation of each category of damages claimed by the disclosing 71 party—who must also make available for inspection and copying as under Rule 72 34 the documents or other evidentiary material, unless privileged or protected 73 from disclosure, on which each computation is based, including materials bearing 74 on the nature and extent of injuries suffered; and 75 (D) for inspection and copying as under Rule 34, any insurance agreement 76 under which an insurance business may be liable to satisfy all or part of a possible 77 judgment in the action or to indemnify or reimburse for payments made to satisfy 78 the judgment. 79 (2) Proceedings Exempt from Initial Disclosure. Unless otherwise ordered by the 80 court in an action, the following proceedings are exempt from disclosures under Rule 81 26.01(a), (b), and (c): 82 (A) an action for review on an administrative record; 83 (B) a forfeiture action in rem arising from a state statute; 84 (C) a petition for habeas corpus or any other proceeding to challenge a 85 criminal conviction or sentence; 86 (D) an action brought without an attorney by a person in the custody of the 87 United States, a state, or a state subdivision; 88 (E) an action to enforce or quash an administrative summons or subpoena; 89 (F) a proceeding ancillary to a proceeding in another court; 90 (G) an action to enforce an arbitration award; 91 (H) family court actions under Gen. R. Prac. 301 - 378; 92 (I) Torrens actions; 93 (J) conciliation court appeals; 94 (K) forfeitures; 95 (L) removals from housing court to district court; 96 (M) harassment proceedings; 97 (N) name change proceedings; 98 (O) default judgments; 99 5 (P) actions to either docket a foreign judgment or re-docket a judgment 100 within the district; 101 (Q) appointment of trustee; 102 (R) condemnation appeal; 103 (S) confession of judgment; 104 (T) implied consent; 105 (U) restitution judgment; and 106 (V) tax court filings. 107 (3) Time for Initial Disclosures—In General. A party must make the initial 108 disclosures at or within 60 days after the original due date when an answer is required, 109 unless a different time is set by stipulation or court order, or unless an objection is made 110 in a proposed discovery plan submitted as part of a civil cover sheet required under Rule 111 104 of the General Rules of Practice for the District Courts. In ruling on the objection, 112 the court must determine what disclosures, if any, are to be made and must set the time 113 for disclosure. In medical malpractice and other professional malpractice cases in which 114 an expert affidavit is required, a party must make initial disclosures within sixty (60) days 115 of the service of the expert affidavit. 116 (4) Time for Initial Disclosures—For Parties Served or Joined Later. A party that 117 is first served or otherwise joined after the initial disclosures are due under Rule 118 26.01(a)(3) must make the initial disclosures within 30 days after being served or joined, 119 unless a different time is set by stipulation or court order. 120 (5) Basis for Initial Disclosure; Unacceptable Excuses. A party must make its 121 initial disclosures based on the information then reasonably available to it. A party is not 122 excused from making its disclosures because it has not fully investigated the case or 123 because it challenges the sufficiency of another party's disclosures or because another 124 party has not made its disclosures. 125 (b) Disclosure of Expert Testimony. 126 (1) In General. In addition to the disclosures required by Rule 26.01(a), a party 127 must disclose to the other parties the identity of any witness it may use at trial to present 128 evidence under Minnesota Rule of Evidence 702, 703, or 705. 129 (2) Witnesses Who Must Provide a Written Report. Unless otherwise stipulated 130 or ordered by the court, this disclosure must be accompanied by a written report— 131 prepared and signed by the witness—if the witness is one retained or specially employed 132 to provide expert testimony in the case or one whose duties as the party's employee 133 regularly involve giving expert testimony. The report must contain: 134 6 (A) a complete statement of all opinions the witness will express and the 135 basis and reasons for them; 136 (B) the facts or data considered by the witness in forming them; 137 (C) any exhibits that will be used to summarize or support them; 138 (D) the witness's qualifications, including a list of all publications 139 authored in the previous 10 years; 140 (E) a list of all other cases in which, during the previous 4 years, the 141 witness testified as an expert at trial or by deposition; and 142 (F) a statement of the compensation to be paid for the study and testimony 143 in the case. 144 (3) Witnesses Who Do Not Provide a Written Report. Unless otherwise stipulated 145 or ordered by the court, if the witness is not required to provide a written report, this 146 disclosure must state: 147 (A) the subject matter on which the witness is expected to present 148 evidence under Minnesota Rule of Evidence 702, 703, or 705; and 149 (B) a summary of the facts and opinions to which the witness is expected 150 to testify. 151 (4) Time to Disclose Expert Testimony. A party must make these disclosures at 152 the times and in the sequence that the court orders. Absent a stipulation or a court order, 153 the disclosures must be made: 154 (A) at least 90 days before the date set for trial or for the case to be ready 155 for trial; or 156 (B) if the evidence is intended solely to contradict or rebut evidence on the 157 same subject matter identified by another party under Rule 26.01(b)(2) or (3), 158 within 30 days after the other party's disclosure. 159 (5) Supplementing the Disclosure. The parties must supplement these disclosures 160 when required under Rule 26.05. 161 (c) Pretrial Disclosures. 162 (1) In General. In addition to the disclosures required by Rule 26.01(a) and (b), a 163 party must provide to the other parties the following information about the evidence that 164 it may present at trial other than solely for impeachment: 165 7 (A) the name and, if not previously provided, the address and telephone 166 number of each witness—separately identifying those the party expects to present 167 and those it may call if the need arises; 168 (B) the designation of those witnesses whose testimony the party expects 169 to present by deposition and, if not taken stenographically, a transcript of the 170 pertinent parts of the deposition; and 171 (C) an identification of each document or other exhibit, including 172 summaries of other evidence—separately identifying those items the party 173 expects to offer and those it may offer if the need arises. 174 (2) Time for Pretrial Disclosures; Objections. Unless the court orders otherwise, 175 these disclosures must be made at least 30 days before trial. Within 14 days after they are 176 made, unless the court sets a different time, a party may serve and promptly file a list of 177 the following objections: any objections to the use under Rule 32.01 of a deposition 178 designated by another party under Rule 26.01(c)(1)(B); and any objection, together with 179 the grounds for it, that may be made to the admissibility of materials identified under 180 Rule 26.01(c)(1)(C). An objection not so made—except for one under Minnesota Rule of 181 Evidence 402 or 403—is waived unless excused by the court for good cause. 182 (d) Form of Disclosures. Unless the court orders otherwise, all disclosures under Rule 183 26.01 must be in writing, signed, and served. 184 26.02 Discovery Methods, Scope and Limits 185 Unless otherwise limited by order of the court in accordance with these rules, the 186 methods and scope of discovery are as follows: 187 188 (a) Methods. Parties may obtain discovery by one or more of the following methods: 189 depositions by oral examination or written questions; written interrogatories; production of 190 documents or things or permission to enter upon land or other property; for inspection and other 191 purposes; physical (including blood) and mental examinations; and requests for admission. 192 193 (b) In General Scope and Limits. Discovery must be limited to matters that would 194 enable a party to prove or disprove a claim or defense or to impeach a witness and must comport 195 with the factors of proportionality, including without limitation, the burden or expense of the 196 proposed discovery weighed against its likely benefit, considering the needs of the case, the 197 amount in controversy, the parties’ resources, the importance of the issues at stake in the action, 198 and the importance of the discovery in resolving the issues. Subject to these limitations, Pparties 199 may obtain discovery regarding any matter, not privileged, that is relevant to a claim or defense 200 of any party, including the existence, description, nature, custody, condition and location of any 201 books, documents, or other tangible things and the identity and location of persons having 202 knowledge of any discoverable matter. Upon a showing of For good cause and proportionality, 203 the court may order discovery of any matter relevant to the subject matter involved in the action. 204 Relevant information sought need not be admissible at the trial if the discovery appears 205 reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence. 206 8 207 (b) Limitations. 208 209 (1) Authority to Limit Frequency and Extent. The court may establish or alter the 210 limits on the number of depositions and interrogatories and may also limit the length of 211 depositions under Rule 30 and the number of requests under Rule 36. The court may act 212 upon its own initiative after reasonable notice or pursuant to a motion under Rule 26.03. 213 214 (2) Limits on Electronically Stored Evidence for Undue Burden or Cost. A party 215 need not provide discovery of electronically stored information from sources that the 216 party identifies as not reasonably accessible because of undue burden or cost. On motion 217 to compel discovery or for a protective order, the party from whom discovery is sought 218 must show that the information is not reasonably accessible because of undue burden or 219 cost. If that showing is made, the court may nonetheless order discovery from such 220 sources if the requesting party shows good cause and proportionality, considering the 221 limitations of Rule 26.02(b)(3). The court may specify conditions for the discovery. 222 223 (3) Limits Required When Cumulative; Duplicative; More Convenient 224 Alternative; and Ample Prior Opportunity. The frequency or extent of use of the 225 discovery methods otherwise permitted under these rules shall be limited by the court if it 226 determines that: (i) the discovery sought is unreasonably cumulative or duplicative, or is 227 obtainable from some other source that is more convenient, less burdensome, or less 228 expensive; or (ii) the party seeking discovery has had ample opportunity by discovery in 229 the action to obtain the information sought; or (iii) the burden or expense of the proposed 230 discovery outweighs its likely benefit, taking into account the needs of the case, the 231 amount in controversy, the parties’ resources, the importance of the issues at stake in the 232 litigation, and the importance of the proposed discovery in resolving the issues. The 233 court may act upon its own initiative after reasonable notice or pursuant to a motion 234 under Rule 26.03. 235 236 (c) Insurance Agreements. In any action in which there is an insurance policy that may 237 afford coverage, any party may require any other party to disclose the coverage and limits of 238 such insurance and the amounts paid and payable thereunder and, pursuant to Rule 34, may 239 obtain production of the insurance policy; provided, however, that this provision will not permit 240 such disclosed information to be introduced into evidence unless admissible on other grounds. 241 242 (d) Trial Preparation: Materials. Subject to the provisions of Rule 26.02(e) a party 243 may obtain discovery of documents and tangible things otherwise discoverable pursuant to Rule 244 26.02(b) and prepared in anticipation of litigation or for trial by or for another party or by or for 245 that other party’s representative (including the other party’s attorney, consultant, surety, 246 indemnitor, insurer, or agent) only upon a showing that the party seeking discovery has 247 substantial need of the materials in the preparation of the party’s case and that the party is unable 248 without undue hardship to obtain the substantial equivalent of the materials by other means. In 249 ordering discovery of such materials when the required showing has been made, the court shall 250 protect against disclosure of the mental impressions, conclusions, opinions, or legal theories of 251 an attorney or other representative of a party concerning the litigation. 252 9 253 A party may obtain without the required showing a statement concerning the action or its 254 subject matter previously made by that party. Upon request, a party or other person may obtain 255 without the required showing a statement concerning the action or its subject matter previously 256 made by that person who is not a party. If the request is refused, the person may move for a 257 court order. The provisions of Rule 37.01(d) apply to the award of expenses incurred in relation 258 to the motion. For purposes of this paragraph, a statement previously made is (1) a written 259 statement signed or otherwise adopted or approved by the person making it, or (2) a 260 stenographic, mechanical, electrical, or other recording, or a transcription thereof, that is a 261 substantially verbatim recital of an oral statement by the person making it and 262 contemporaneously recorded. 263 264 (e) Trial Preparation: Experts. Discovery of facts known and opinions held by 265 experts, otherwise discoverable pursuant to Rule 26.02(b) and acquired or developed in 266 anticipation of litigation or for trial, may be obtained only as follows: 267 268 (1)(A) A party may through interrogatories require any other party to identify 269 each person whom the other party expects to call as an expert witness at trial, to state the 270 subject matter on which the expert is expected to testify, and to state the substance of the 271 facts and opinions to which the expert is expected to testify and a summary of the 272 grounds for each opinion. (B) Upon motion, the court may order further discovery by 273 other means, subject to such restrictions as to scope and such provisions, pursuant to Rule 274 26.02 (e)(3), concerning fees and expenses, as the court may deem appropriate. 275 276 (2) A party may discover facts known or opinions held by an expert who has 277 been retained or specially employed by another party in anticipation of litigation or 278 preparation for trial and who is not expected to be called as a witness at trial, only as 279 provided in Rule 35.02 or upon a showing of exceptional circumstances under which it is 280 impracticable for the party seeking discovery to obtain facts or opinions on the same 281 subject by other means. 282 283 (3) Unless manifest injustice would result, (A) the court shall require the party 284 seeking discovery to pay the expert a reasonable fee for time spent in responding to 285 discovery pursuant to Rules 26.02(e)(1)(B) and 26.02(e)(2); and (B) with respect to 286 discovery obtained pursuant to Rule 26.02(e)(1)(B), the court may require, and with 287 respect to discovery obtained pursuant to Rule 26.02(e)(2) the court shall require, the 288 party seeking discovery to pay the other party a fair portion of the fees and expenses 289 reasonably incurred by the latter party in obtaining facts and opinions from the expert. 290 291 (f) Claims of Privilege or Protection of Trial Preparation Materials. 292 293 (1) When a party withholds information otherwise discoverable under these rules 294 by claiming that it is privileged or subject to protection as trial preparation material, the 295 party shall make the claim expressly and shall describe the nature of the documents, 296 communications, or things not produced or disclosed in a manner that, without revealing 297 10 information itself privileged or protected, will enable other parties to assess the 298 applicability of the privilege or protection. 299 300 (2) If information is produced in discovery that is subject to a claim of privilege 301 or of protection as trial-preparation material, the party making the claim may notify any 302 party that received the information of the claim and the basis for it. After being notified, 303 a party must promptly return, sequester, or destroy the specified information and any 304 copies it has and may not use or disclose the information until the claim is resolved. A 305 receiving party may promptly present the information to the court under seal for a 306 determination of the claim. If the receiving party disclosed the information before being 307 notified, it must take reasonable steps to retrieve it. The producing party must preserve 308 the information until the claim is resolved. 309 310 * * * 311 312 26.06 Discovery Conference 313 314 (a) Conference Timing. Except in a proceeding exempted from initial disclosure under 315 Rule 26.01(a)(2) or when the court orders otherwise, the parties must confer as soon as 316 practicable—and in any event within 30 days from the initial due date for an answer. 317 318 (b) Conference Content; Parties’ Responsibilities. In conferring, the parties must 319 consider the nature and basis of their claims and defenses and the possibilities for promptly 320 settling or resolving the case; make or arrange for the disclosures required by Rule 26.01(a), (b); 321 discuss any issues about preserving discoverable information; and develop a proposed discovery 322 plan. The attorneys of record and all unrepresented parties that have appeared in the case are 323 jointly responsible for arranging the conference, and for attempting in good faith to agree on the 324 proposed discovery plan. A written report outlining the discovery plan must be filed with the 325 court within 14 days after the conference or at the time the action is filed, whichever is later. The 326 court may order the parties or attorneys to attend the conference in person. 327 328 (c) Discovery Plan. A discovery plan must state the parties’ views and proposals on: 329 330 (1) what changes should be made in the timing, form, or requirement for 331 disclosures under Rule 26.01, including a statement of when initial disclosures were 332 made or will be made; 333 334 (2) the subjects on which discovery may be needed, when discovery should be 335 completed, and whether discovery should be conducted in phases or be limited to or 336 focused on particular issues; 337 338 (3) any issues about disclosure or discovery of electronically stored information, 339 including the form or forms in which it should be produced; 340 341 11 (4) any issues about claims of privilege or of protection as trial-preparation 342 materials, including—if the parties agree on a procedure to assert these claims after 343 production—whether to ask the court to include their agreement in an order; 344 345 (5) what changes should be made in the limitations on discovery imposed under 346 these rules or by local rule, and what other limitations should be imposed; and 347 348 (6) any other orders that the court should issue under Rule 26.03 or under Rule 349 16.02 and .03. 350 351 (d) Conference with the Court. At any time after service of the summons, the court 352 may direct the attorneys for the parties to appear before it for a conference on the subject of 353 discovery. The court shall do so upon motion by the attorney for any party if the motion 354 includes: 355 356 (a1) A statement of the issues as they then appear; 357 358 (b2) A proposed plan and schedule of discovery; 359 360 (c3) Any issues relating to disclosure or discovery of electronically stored 361 information, including the form or forms in which it should be produced; 362 363 (d4) Any issues relating to claims of privilege or of protection as trial-preparation 364 material, including—if the parties agree on a procedure to assert such claims after 365 production—whether to ask the court to include their agreement in an order; 366 367 (e5) Any limitations proposed to be placed on discovery; 368 369 (f6) Any other proposed orders with respect to discovery; and 370 371 (g7) A statement showing that the attorney making the motion has made a 372 reasonable effort to reach agreement with opposing attorneys on the matter set forth in 373 the motion. All parties and attorneys are under a duty to participate in good faith in the 374 framing of any proposed discovery plan. 375 376 Notice of the motion shall be served on all parties. Objections or additions to matters set 377 forth in the motion shall be served not later than 10 days after the service of the motion. 378 379 Following the discovery conference, the court shall enter an order tentatively identifying 380 the issues for discovery purposes, establishing a plan and schedule for discovery, setting 381 limitations on discovery, if any, and determining such other matters, including the allocation of 382 expenses, as are necessary for the proper management of discovery in the action. An order may 383 be altered or amended whenever justice so requires. 384 385 12 Subject to the right of a party who properly moves for a discovery conference to prompt 386 convening of the conference, the court may combine the discovery conference with a pretrial 387 conference authorized by Rule 16. 388 389 * * * 390 391 Rule 37. Failure to Make Discovery Disclosures or to Cooperate in Discovery: Sanctions 392 393 37.01 Motion for Order Compelling Disclosure or Discovery 394 395 (a) Appropriate Court. An application for an order to a party shall be made to the 396 court in which the action is pending. An application for an order to a person who is not a party 397 shall be made to the court in the county where the discovery is being, or is to be, taken. 398 399 (b) Specific Motions. 400 401 (1) To Compel Disclosure. If a party fails to make a disclosure required by Rule 402 26.01, any other party may move to compel disclosure and for appropriate sanctions. 403 404 (2) To Compel a Discovery Response. A party seeking discovery may move for 405 an order compelling an answer, designation, production, or inspection. This motion may 406 be made if: 407 408 (A) If a deponent fails to answer a question propounded or submitted 409 under Rules 30 or 31,; 410 411 (B) or a corporation or other entity fails to make a designation under Rule 412 30.02(f) or 31.01(c);, or 413 414 (C) a party fails to answer an interrogatory submitted under Rule 33;, or 415 416 (D) if a party, in response to a request for inspection submitted under 417 Rule 34, fails to respond that inspection will be permitted as requested or fails to 418 permit inspection as requested,. 419 420 the discovering party may move for an order compelling an answer, or a 421 designation, or an order compelling inspection in accordance with the request. 422 423 The motion must include a certification that the movant has in good faith conferred or 424 attempted to confer with the person or party failing to make the discovery in an effort to secure 425 the information or material without court action. When taking a deposition on oral examination, 426 the proponent of the question may complete or adjourn the examination before applying for an 427 order. 428 429 13 (c) Evasive or Incomplete Answer, or Response. For purposes of this subdivision an 430 evasive or incomplete disclosure, answer, or response is to be treated as a failure to disclose, 431 answer, or respond. 432 433 * * * 434 435 37.03 Expenses on Failure to Disclose, to Supplement an Earlier Response, or to Admit 436 437 (a) Failure to Disclose or Supplement. If a party fails to provide information or 438 identify a witness as required by Rule 26.01 or .05, the party is not allowed to use that 439 information or witness to supply evidence on a motion, at a hearing, or at a trial, unless the 440 failure was substantially justified or is harmless. In addition to or instead of this sanction, the 441 court, on motion and after giving an opportunity to be heard: 442 443 (1) may order payment of the reasonable expenses, including attorney's fees, 444 caused by the failure; 445 446 (2) may inform the jury of the party's failure; and 447 448 (3) may impose other appropriate sanctions, including any of the orders listed in 449 Rule 37.02. 450 451 (b) Failure to Admit. If a party fails to admit the genuineness of any documents or the 452 truth of any matter as requested pursuant to Rule 36, and if the party requesting the admissions 453 thereafter proves the genuineness of the document or the truth of any such matter, the requesting 454 party may apply to the court for an order requiring the other party to pay the reasonable expenses 455 incurred in making that proof, including reasonable attorney fees. The court shall make the order 456 unless it finds that (1) the request was held objectionable pursuant to Rule 36.01, or (2) the 457 admission sought was of no substantial importance, or (3) the party failing to admit had 458 reasonable ground to believe that the party might prevail on the matter, or (4) there was other 459 good reason for the failure to admit. 460 461 * * * 462 463 37.06 Failure to Participate in Framing a Discovery Plan. 464 465 If a party or its attorney fails to participate in good faith in developing and submitting a 466 proposed discovery plan as required by Rule 26.06, the court may, after giving an opportunity to 467 be heard, require that party or attorney to pay to any other party the reasonable expenses, 468 including attorney's fees, caused by the failure. 469 470 471 14 MINNESOTA GENERAL RULES OF PRACTICE 472 RULE 8. INTERPRETERS 473 * * * 474 8.13 Requirement for Notice of Anticipated Need for Interpreter 475 In order to permit the court to make arrangements for the availability of required 476 interpreter services, parties shall, in the Civil Cover Sheet, Initial Case Management 477 Informational Statement or Joint Statement of the Case, and as may otherwise be required by 478 court rule or order, advise the court of that need in advance of the hearing or trial where services 479 are required. 480 When it becomes apparent that previously-requested interpreter services will not be required, the 481 parties must advise the court. 482 * * * 483 RULE 104. CIVIL COVER SHEET AND CERTIFICATE OF REPRESENTATION AND 484 PARTIES 485 Except as otherwise provided in these rules for specific types of cases and in cases where 486 the action is commenced by filing by operation of statute, a party filing a civil case shall, at the 487 time of filing, notify the court administrator in writing of: 488 (a) If the case is a family case or a civil case listed in Rule 111.01 of this rule, the 489 name, postal address, e-mail address, and telephone number of all counsel and unrepresented 490 parties, if known, in a Certificate of Representation and Parties (see Form 104 CIV102 491 promulgated by the state court administrator and published on the website 492 www.mncourts.govappended to these rules) or 493 494 (b) If the case is a non-family civil case other than those listed in Rule 111.01, basic 495 information about the case in a Civil Cover Sheet (see Form CIV117 promulgated by the state 496 court administrator and published on the website www.mncourts.gov) which shall also include 497 the information required in part (a) of this rule. Any other party to the action may, with ten days 498 of service of the filing party’s civil cover sheet, file a supplemental civil cover sheet to provide 499 additional information about the case. 500 If that information is not then known to the filing party, it shall be provided to the court 501 administrator in writing by the filing party within seven days of learning it. Any party 502 impleading additional parties shall provide the same information to the court administrator. The 503 court administrator shall, upon receipt of the completed certificate, notify all parties or their 504 lawyers, if represented by counsel, of the date of filing the action and the file number assigned. 505 * * * 506 15 Rule 111.02 The Party’s Scheduling Input Informational Statement 507 The parties may submit scheduling information to the court as part of the civil cover 508 sheet as provided in Rule 104 of these rules. Within 60 days after an action has been filed, each 509 party shall submit , on a form to be available from the court (see Form 111.02 appended to these 510 rules), the information needed by the court to manage and schedule the case. The information 511 provided shall include: 512 (a) The status of service of the action; 513 (b) Whether the statement is jointly prepared; 514 (c) Description of case; 515 (d) Whether a jury trial is requested or waived; 516 (e) Discovery contemplated and estimated completion date; 517 (f) Whether assignment to an expedited, standard, or complex track is 518 requested; 519 (g) The estimated trial time; 520 (h) Any proposals for adding additional parties; 521 (i) Other pertinent or unusual information that may affect the scheduling or 522 completion of pretrial proceedings; 523 (j) Recommended alternative dispute resolution process, the timing of the 524 process, the identity of the neutral selected by the parties or, if the neutral has not yet been 525 selected, the deadline for selection of the neutral. If ADR is believed to be inappropriate, a 526 description of the reasons supporting this conclusion; 527 (k) A proposal for establishing any of the deadlines or dates to be included in a 528 scheduling order pursuant to Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 111.03; and 529 (l) Identification of interpreter services (specifying language and, if known, 530 particular dialect) any party anticipates will be required for any witness or party. 531 Rule 111.03. Scheduling Order 532 (a) When issued. No sooner than the due date of the last civil cover 533 sheet under Rule 104, 60 days and no longer than 90 days after an action has been filed, 534 the court shall enter its scheduling order. The court may issue the order after either a 535 telephone or in-court conference, or without a conference or hearing if none is needed. 536 16 * * * 537 RULE 113. ASSIGNMENT OF CASE(S) TO SINGLE JUDGE 538 113.01 Request for Assignment of a Single Case to a Single Judge 539 (a) In any case that the court or parties believe is likely to be complex, or where other 540 reasons of efficiency or the interests of justice dictate, the chief judge of the district or the chief 541 judge’s designee may order that all pretrial and trial proceedings shall be heard before a single 542 judge. The court may enter such an order at any time on its own initiative, in response to a 543 suggestion in a party’s civil cover sheet informational statement filed under Rule 104 111, or on the 544 motion of any party, and shall enter such an order when the requirements of Rule 113.01(b) have 545 been met. The motion shall comply with these rules and shall be supported by affidavit(s). In any 546 case assigned to a single judge pursuant to this Rule that judge shall actively use enhanced judicial 547 management techniques, including, but not limited to, the setting of a firm trial date, establishment 548 of a discovery cut off date, and periodic case conferences. 549 * * * 550 RULE 114. ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION 551 * * * 552 Rule 114.02 Definitions 553 The following terms shall have the meanings set forth in this rule in construing these 554 rules and applying them to court-affiliated ADR programs. 555 (a) ADR Processes. 556 * * * 557 (10) Other. Parties may by agreement create an ADR process. They shall 558 explain their process in the civil cover sheet Informational Statement. 559 * * * 560 114.04 Selection of ADR Process 561 (a) Conference. After service of a complaint or petition, the parties shall promptly 562 confer regarding case management issues, including the selection and timing of the ADR 563 process. Following this conference ADR information shall be included in the civil cover sheet 564 required by Rule 104 and in the initial case management informational statement required by 565 Rule 111.02 and 304.02. 566 17 In family law matters, the parties need not meet and confer where one of the parties 567 claims to be the victim of domestic abuse by the other party or where the court determines there 568 is probable cause that one of the parties or a child of the parties has been physically abused or 569 threatened with physical abuse by the other party. In such cases, both parties shall complete and 570 submit form 9A or 9B, specifying the form(s) of ADR the parties individually prefer, not what is 571 agreed upon. 572 (b) Court Involvement. If the parties cannot agree on the appropriate ADR process, the 573 timing of the process, or the selection of a neutral, or if the court does not approve the parties’ 574 agreement, the court shall, in cases subject to Rule 111, schedule a telephone or in-court 575 conference of the attorneys and any unrepresented parties within thirty days after the due date for 576 filing initial case management informational statements pursuant to Rule 111.02 or 304.02 or the 577 filing of a civil cover sheet pursuant to Rule 104 to discuss ADR and other scheduling and case 578 management issues. 579 Except as otherwise provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 604.11 or Rule 310.01, the 580 court, at its discretion, may order the parties to utilize one of the non-binding processes, or may 581 find that ADR is not appropriate; provided that no ADR process shall be approved if the court 582 finds that ADR is not appropriate or if it amounts to a sanction on a non-moving party. Where 583 the parties have proceeded in good faith to attempt to resolve the matter using collaborative law, 584 the court should not ordinarily order the parties to use further ADR processes. 585 * * * 586 RULE 115. MOTION PRACTICE 587 * * * 588 Rule 115.04. Non-Dispositive Motions 589 (a) No motion shall be heard until the moving party pays any required motion filing fee, 590 serves a copy of the following documents on the other party or parties and files the original with 591 the court administrator at least 14 days prior to the hearing: 592 (1) Notice of motion and motion; 593 (2) Proposed order; 594 (3) Any affidavits and exhibits to be submitted in conjunction with the motion; 595 and 596 (4) Any memorandum of law the party intends to submit. 597 (b) The party responding to the motion shall serve a copy of the following documents on 598 the moving party and other interested parties and shall file the original with the court 599 administrator at least 7 days prior to the hearing: 600 18 (1) Any memorandum of law the party intends to submit; and 601 (2) Any relevant affidavits and exhibits. 602 (c) Reply Memoranda. The moving party may submit a reply memorandum, limited to 603 new legal or factual matters raised by an opposing party’s response to a motion, by serving a 604 copy on opposing counsel and filing the original with the court administrator at least 3 days 605 before the hearing. 606 (d) Expedited, Informal Non-Dispositive Motion Process. The moving party is 607 encouraged to consider whether the motion can be informally resolved through a telephone 608 conference with the judge. The moving party may invoke this informal resolution process by 609 written notice to the court and all parties. The moving party must also contact the appropriate 610 court administrative or judicial staff to schedule a phone conference. The parties may (but are not 611 required to) submit short letters, with or without a limited number of documents attached (no 612 briefs, declarations or sworn affidavits are to be filed), prior to the conference to set forth their 613 respective positions. The court will read the written submissions of the parties before the phone 614 conference, hear arguments of counsel and unrepresented parties at the conference, and issue its 615 decision at the conclusion of the phone conference or shortly after the conference. Depending on 616 the nature of the dispute, the court may or may not issue a written order. The court may also 617 determine that the dispute must be presented to the court via formal motion and hearing. 618 Telephone conferences will not be recorded or transcribed. 619 620 RULE 144. ACTIONS FOR DEATH BY WRONGFUL ACT 621 144.01 Application for Appointment of Trustee. 622 Every application for the appointment of a trustee of a claim for death by wrongful act 623 under Minnesota Statutes, section 573.02, shall be made by the verified petition of the surviving 624 spouse or one of the next of kin of the decedent. The petition shall show the dates and places of 625 the decedent’s birth and death; the decedent’s address at the time of death; the name, age and 626 address of the decedent’s surviving spouse, children, parents, grandparents, and siblings; and the 627 name, age, occupation and address of the proposed trustee. The petition shall also show whether 628 or not any previous application has been made, the facts with reference thereto and its disposition 629 shall also be stated. The written consent of the proposed trustee to act as such shall be endorsed 630 on or filed with such petition. The application for appointment shall not be considered filing of a 631 paper in the case for the purpose of any requirement for filing a certificate of representation or 632 civil cover sheet informational statement. 633 19 * * * 634 RULE 146. COMPLEX CASES 635 [Publishers Note: Because rule 146 is a new rule in General Rules of Practice for the District 636 Courts, underlining to show new language has been omitted] 637 146.01 Purpose; Principles 638 The purposes of the Complex Case Program (“CCP”) are to promote effective and 639 efficient judicial management of complex cases in the district courts, avoid unnecessary burdens 640 on the court, keep costs reasonable for the litigants and to promote effective decision making by 641 the court, the parties and counsel. 642 The core principles that support the establishment of a mandatory CCP include: 643 (a) Early and consistent judicial management promotes efficiency. 644 645 (b) Mandatory disclosure of relevant information, rigorously enforced by the court, will 646 result in disclosure of facts and information necessary to avoid unnecessary litigation procedures 647 and discovery. 648 649 (c) Blocking complex cases to a single judge from the inception of the case results in the 650 best case management. 651 652 (d) Firm trial dates result in better case management and more effective use of the 653 parties’ resources, with continuances granted only for good cause. 654 655 (e) Education and training for both judges and court staff will assist with the 656 management of complex cases. 657 658 146.02 Definition of a Complex Case 659 660 (a) Definition. A “complex case” is an action that requires exceptional judicial 661 management to avoid placing unnecessary burdens on the court or the litigants and to expedite 662 the case, keep costs reasonable, and promote effective decision making by the court, the parties, 663 and counsel. 664 665 (b) Factors. In deciding whether an action is a complex case under (a), the court 666 must consider, among other things, whether the action is likely to involve: 667 668 (1) Numerous hearings, pretrial and dispositive motions raising difficult or novel 669 legal issues that will be time-consuming to resolve; 670 671 (2) Management of a large number of witnesses or a substantial amount of 672 documentary evidence; 673 20 (3) Management of a large number of separately represented parties; 674 (4) Multiple expert witnesses; 675 (5) Coordination with related actions pending in one or more courts in other 676 counties, states, or countries, or in a federal court; 677 (6) Substantial post judgment judicial supervision; or 678 (7) Legal or technical issues of complexity. 679 (c) Provisional designation. An action is provisionally a complex case if it involves 680 one or more of the following types of claims: 681 (1) Antitrust or trade regulation claims; 682 (2) Intellectual property matters, such as trade secrets, copyrights, patents, etc.; 683 (3) Construction defect claims involving many parties or structures; 684 (4) Securities claims or investment losses involving many parties; 685 (5) Environmental or toxic tort claims involving many parties; 686 (6) Product liability claims; 687 (7) Claims involving mass torts; 688 (8) Claims involving class actions; 689 (9) Ownership or control of business claims; or 690 (10) Insurance coverage claims arising out of any of the claims listed in (c)(1) 691 through (c)(9). 692 (d) Parties’ designation. In any action not enumerated above, the parties can agree 693 to be governed by Rule 146 of these rules by filing a “CCP Election,” in a form to be developed 694 by the state court administrator and posted on the main state court website, to be filed along with 695 the initial pleading. 696 697 (e) Motion to Exclude Complex Case Designation. A party objecting to the 698 provisional assignment of a matter to the CCP must serve and file a motion setting forth the 699 reasons that the matter should be removed from the CCP. The motion papers must be served and 700 filed within 14 days of the date the moving party is served with the CCP Designation. The 701 motion shall be heard during the Case Management Conference or at such other time as 702 determined by the court. The factors that should be considered by the court in ruling on the 703 motion include the factors set forth in Rule 146.02 (b) and (c) above. 704 705 146.03 Judge Assigned to Complex Cases 706 707 21 A single judge shall be assigned to all designated complex cases within 30 days of filing 708 in accordance with Rule 113 of these rules. In making the assignment the assigning judge should 709 consider, among other factors, the needs of the court, the judge’s ability, interest, training, 710 experience (including experience with complex cases) and willingness to participate in 711 educational programs related to the management of complex cases. 712 713 146.04 Mandatory Case Management Conferences 714 715 (a) Within 28 days of assignment, the judge assigned to a complex case shall hold a 716 mandatory case management conference. Counsel for all parties and pro se parties shall attend 717 the conference. At the conference, the court will discuss all aspects of the case as contemplated 718 by Minn. R. Civ. P. 16.01. 719 720 (b) The court may hold such additional case management conferences, including a 721 pretrial conference, as it deems appropriate. 722 146.05 Case Management Order and Scheduling Order 723 In all complex cases, the judge assigned to the case shall enter a Case Management Order 724 and a Scheduling Order (together or separately) addressing the matters set forth in Minn. R. Civ. 725 P. 16.02 and 16.03, and including without limitation the following: 726 727 (a) The dates for subsequent Case Management Conferences in the case; 728 729 (b) the deadline for the parties to meet and confer regarding discovery needs and the 730 preservation and production of electronically stored information; 731 732 (c) the deadline for joining other parties; 733 734 (d) the deadline for amending the pleadings; 735 736 (e) the deadline by which fact discovery will close and provisions for disclosure or 737 discovery of electronically stored information; 738 739 (f) the deadlines by which parties will make expert witness disclosures and deadlines 740 for expert witness depositions; 741 742 (g) the deadlines for non-dispositive and dispositive motions; 743 744 (h) any modifications to the extent of required disclosures and discovery, such as, 745 among other things, limits on: 746 747 (1) the number of fact depositions each party may take; 748 749 (2) the number of interrogatories each party may serve; 750 751 (3) the number of expert witnesses each party may call at trial; 752 22 753 (4) the number of expert witnesses each party may depose; and 754 755 (i) a date certain for trial subject to continuation for good cause only, and a statement 756 of whether the case will be tried to a jury or the bench and an estimate of the trial’s duration. 757 758 * * * 759 PART H. MINNESOTA CIVIL TRIALBOOK 760 * * * 761 Section 11. Interpreters 762 The party calling a witness for whom an interpreter is required shall advise the court in 763 the Civil Cover Sheet, Initial Case Management Informational Statement, or Joint Statement of 764 the Case of the need for an interpreter and interpreter services (specifying the language and, if 765 known, particular dialect) expected to be required. Parties shall not use a relative or friend as an 766 interpreter in a contested proceeding, except as approved by the court. 767 768