Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_15-md-02672/USCOURTS-cand-3_15-md-02672-88/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 370
Nature of Suit: Other Fraud
Cause of Action: 15:2301 Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

DIVISION OF SAN FRANCISCO

MDL No. 2672 CRB (JSC)

IN RE: VOLKSWAGEN “CLEAN DIESEL”

MARKETING, SALES PRACTICES, AND

PRODUCTS LIABILITY LITIGATION

_______________________________________/

PRETRIAL ORDER No. 20

STIPULATION AND ORDER 

RELATING TO DEPOSITION 

PROTOCOL

This Order Relates to:

ALL ACTIONS (except securities actions)

_______________________________________/

I. GENERAL PROVISIONS 

This Order applies to the following Parties to the Action: (i) the Consumer Plaintiffs; (ii) 

the United States; (iii) the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”); (iv) Volkswagen 

Aktiengesellschaft, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., Volkswagen Group of America 

Chattanooga Operations, LLC, Audi Aktiengesellschaft, and Audi of America, LLC (the “VW 

Entities”); (v) Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft and Porsche Cars North America, Inc. 

(the “Porsche Entities”); and (vi) Robert Bosch GmbH and Robert Bosch, LLC (“Bosch”).1

 This 

Order provides the protocols applicable to depositions of all fact witnesses taken by or of such 

Parties, including depositions pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 30(b)(6) and of Non-Parties. This 

Order shall not, however, apply to any deposition taken by or of any other Party to this Action. 

Nothing in this Order shall preclude any Party or witness to which or whom this Order applies 

from seeking to modify it later for good cause shown; prior to doing so, however, counsel shall 

meet and confer among themselves in a good-faith effort to reach agreement as to the appropriate 

scope of any modifications or revisions to this Order.

 1 Unless otherwise specified, all capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein have the 

meanings ascribed to them in Pretrial Order No. 12: Stipulated Protective Order (Docket No. 

1255) (“PTO 12”).

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II. GOVERNING LAW

Discovery shall be governed by the applicable provisions of the Federal Rules of Civil 

Procedure, except as otherwise provided herein or in any other Order. Unless specifically 

modified herein, nothing in this Order shall be construed to abrogate, modify, or enlarge the 

Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. This Order does not supersede prior pretrial orders entered in 

this Action, including Pretrial Order No. 13: Coordination Order (Docket No. 1256) (“PTO 

13”), Section C, Paragraph 3, except where inconsistent.

To the extent that this Order conflicts, or is alleged to conflict, with rights or protections 

afforded by the national laws or regulations of any foreign country or international treaty, the 

witness or Party claiming those rights and protections shall meet and confer with the Parties 

regarding a resolution of the alleged conflicts. If the Parties cannot reach agreement, the issue(s) 

shall be submitted promptly for judicial resolution.

III. DEPOSITIONS

A. Deposition Point Persons

A single Point Person shall be designated by each of (i) Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee; 

(ii) Plaintiffs’ State Court Liaison Counsel (as defined in PTO 13); (iii) the United States; (iv) the 

FTC; (v) counsel for the VW Entities; (vi) Counsel for the Porsche Entities; and (vii) counsel for 

Bosch (collectively, “Point Persons”). Depositions and matters related to depositions shall be 

coordinated by the Point Persons. For a communication concerning the notice or scheduling of a 

deposition to be effective, it must be made by email to all Point Persons. Point Persons must be 

designated within fifteen (15) days after entry of this Order, and thereafter, if necessary, upon 

prompt notice to all Point Persons, a Party may elect to name a different Point Person at any time 

during discovery. The Parties will cooperate to expand the notifications to other counsel as 

necessary and convenient. 

B. Number of Depositions 

Plaintiffs may take up to one hundred (100) depositions of the VW Entities, the Porsche 

Entities, and Bosch collectively, unless otherwise agreed to by the Parties or ordered by the 

Court. 

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Defendants may take up to one hundred (100) depositions of Plaintiffs, unless otherwise 

agreed to by the Parties or ordered by the Court; provided, however, that Defendants shall take 

no more than ten (10) depositions of the United States.

A witness may presumptively be deposed in his or her individual capacity only once in 

this Action, unless otherwise agreed to by the Parties in writing or authorized by an order of the 

Court upon a showing of good cause by the Party seeking the additional deposition. 

If a Party wishes to conduct additional depositions, the Parties shall meet and confer to 

determine if an agreement can be reached on the number of additional depositions. If the Parties 

are unable to agree on the number of additional depositions, the dispute shall be submitted 

promptly to the Court for resolution.

C. Rule 30(b)(6) Depositions 

Counsel for all Plaintiffs shall confer before serving any Rule 30(b)(6) notice to any 

corporate Defendant, and counsel for all Defendants shall confer before serving any Rule 

30(b)(6) notice to any corporate Plaintiff (including any governmental Plaintiff).

The Parties may serve a reasonable number of Rule 30(b)(6) deposition notices to each 

corporate Party. The deposing Party(ies) will make a good-faith effort to include in each 

deposition notice all topics concerning the subject matter category for which the deposing 

Party(ies) seeks testimony in that notice (without prejudice to serving additional Rule 30(b)(6) 

notices for topics concerning the subject matter category if the deposing Party(ies) learns of 

additional topics of which it was not previously aware). Absent good cause or agreement of the 

noticed Party, no Rule 30(b)(6) deposition notice may include topics covered by a prior Rule 

30(b)(6) deposition notice to the same corporate Party.

If a Party wishes to depose a Rule 30(b)(6) corporate representative in his or her 

individual capacity, the depositions (individual and corporate capacity) may be, but are not 

required to be, consolidated. In the event that the noticing Party opts to consolidate the 

depositions, the noticing Party nevertheless shall be entitled to a separate time allotment, as 

detailed below in Section III.G, for each deposition. The deposing Party(ies) shall clearly 

indicate when the Rule 30(b)(6) deposition has ended. 

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D. Deposition Notices

1. Notice of Deposition Procedures

A deposition notice may be served at any time, provided that it is served sufficiently in 

advance of the close of fact discovery so that the deposition takes place prior to the close of fact 

discovery. Absent extraordinary circumstances, Point Persons and counsel for a proposed

witness should confer at least seven (7) days prior to noticing a deposition in an effort to 

schedule depositions for mutually convenient dates, times and locations. Point Persons and 

counsel for a proposed witness are expected to cooperate and coordinate the scheduling of 

depositions. To the extent that a proposed witness is unable to be deposed on the noticed date of 

his or her deposition, Point Persons and counsel for that witness shall promptly confer to discuss 

alternative dates and/or the potential for a substitute witness. To ensure the expeditious progress 

of the Action, in the event that the Point Persons and counsel for the witness are unable to reach 

agreement, the noticing Party may notice the deposition in accordance with this Order; should 

any other Party or the witness maintain a need for relief thereon, such request for relief shall be 

submitted promptly for judicial resolution.

A single deposition notice shall apply in all cases governed by this Order. Absent exigent 

circumstances, agreement of the Parties, or a Court order to the contrary, fact depositions of 

witnesses residing in the United States must be noticed at least thirty (30) days in advance, and 

foreign witnesses must be noticed at least forty-five (45) days in advance, with notice served 

upon counsel in accordance with Section III.A.

Absent exigent circumstances, agreement of the Parties, or a Court order to the contrary, 

notice of a Rule 30(b)(6) deposition must be served at least forty-five (45) days in advance, with 

notice served upon counsel in accordance with Section III.A. Any objections to a Rule 30(b)(6) 

deposition notice shall be served no later than 14 days after the notice is served. 

2. Contents of Notice

Each deposition notice (except for a Rule 30(b)(6) deposition notice) shall include the 

name of the proposed witness. Each deposition notice shall include contact information for the 

noticing party’s Point Person so that interested counsel may obtain information regarding the 

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deposition from that Point Person. This Order shall be referenced in any Party or Non-Party 

subpoena or deposition notice issued after the effective date of this Order. If the deposition is to 

be recorded by video, the notice shall so state. If the notice asks the witness to produce, or if the 

witness may be asked about, documents that may contain Confidential or Highly Confidential 

Information, PTO 12 shall be referenced in the notice. A Party may not serve a subpoena duces 

tecum on another Party or its current directors, officers or employees.

E. Attendance

1. Who May Be Present

Unless otherwise ordered or agreed by the Parties, and subject to the requirements of 

PTO 12, only the following persons may attend depositions (either in person or remotely): the 

witness, and counsel for the witness; Point Persons; a reasonable number of members and 

employees of the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee and of Defendants’ Counsel, their firms or 

government offices (as appropriate); attorneys specially engaged by a Party for purposes of the 

deposition; the Parties or their respective representatives (including their In-House Counsel); a 

reasonable number of counsel for plaintiffs in State Court “Clean Diesel” Cases; experts or nontestifying consultants; and court reporters, videographers, and litigation technicians/consultants.

The Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee and the Defendants intend to coordinate discovery 

with the State Court “Clean Diesel” Cases to the maximum extent feasible. Accordingly, 

plaintiffs in State Court “Clean Diesel” Cases are invited to attend and participate in depositions 

in this Action, pursuant to the procedures and conditions set forth in Section III.F. If a plaintiff 

in a State Court “Clean Diesel” Case attends a deposition of a witness in this Action (either in 

person or remotely), that plaintiff shall be deemed to have agreed not to seek an additional 

deposition of that witness in the State Court “Clean Diesel” Case.

If a witness is being examined about any document designated CONFIDENTIAL or 

HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL pursuant to PTO 12, any person to whom disclosure is not 

authorized under PTO 12 shall be excluded while the examination occurs and shall not receive a 

copy of that portion of the transcript.

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Upon application, and for good cause shown, the Court may permit attendance by a 

person who does not fall within any of the categories set forth above.

2. Unnecessary Attendance

Unnecessary attendance by Counsel – either in person or by telephone – is discouraged. 

Counsel who have only marginal interest in a proposed deposition or who expect their clients’ 

interests to be adequately represented by other Counsel are encouraged not to attend. The issue 

of compensation of counsel for attendance at depositions is addressed in Pretrial Order No. 11 at 

Section I.A.2.

3. Notice of Intent to Attend a Deposition

Any Counsel who intends to attend a deposition noticed in this Action – either in person 

or by telephone – should advise the Point Person for the noticing party not fewer than fifteen 

(15) days prior to the deposition, whenever feasible. The Point Persons will then confer 

regarding the expected attendance and make a final determination not fewer than five (5) 

business days prior to the scheduled date as to who may attend the deposition in person and 

remotely. 

4. Noticing and Participating in Depositions Remotely

a. Noticing Telephonic Depositions

A Party may indicate in its notice of deposition that it wishes to conduct the deposition by 

telephone. Unless an objection is filed and served within ten (10) days after such notice is 

received, the Parties shall be deemed to have stipulated to a telephonic deposition pursuant to 

Fed. R. Civ. P. 30(b)(4).

b. Remote Participation

Any person permitted by Section III.E.1 to attend a deposition, other than the witness 

(unless the deposition was noticed pursuant to Section III.E.4.a), may do so remotely by 

telephone. The Party that noticed the deposition shall provide a teleconference number for the 

use of any person who will attend remotely. Any person seeking to attend remotely is 

responsible for connecting to the teleconference. Any person who participates remotely must 

sign Exhibit A to PTO 12, unless that person is already bound by PTO 12. No person attending 

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remotely shall record the deposition by any video or audio means. Persons participating 

remotely must identify all persons attending at the deposition remotely with them, such persons 

being subject to the restrictions on attendance set forth in this Order, including the requirement to 

sign Exhibit A to PTO 12 if necessary. 

Absent extenuating circumstances, such as weather delay or physical restriction on travel, 

Counsel participating in a deposition remotely (other than a deposition conducted pursuant to 

Section III.E.4.a) are not permitted to conduct examination of the witness. Counsel participating 

in a deposition remotely are permitted to make objections, subject to the restrictions and 

conditions of Section III.J. The issue of compensation of counsel for attendance at depositions is 

addressed in Pretrial Order No. 11 at Section I.A.2.

F. Conduct of Depositions

1. Number of Examiners

Subject to the agreement of the Parties, questioning by Plaintiffs should be conducted by 

no more than one (1) examiner for the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee. The Parties will meet and 

confer to determine the appropriate number of government attorneys permitted to conduct 

questioning of fact witnesses (including whether the FTC should be permitted to conduct 

questioning of particular Porsche or Bosch witnesses), but in any event no more than one 

examiner from each of the U.S. Department of Justice (on behalf of EPA), and the FTC shall be 

permitted to conduct questioning at any particular deposition. No more than one (1) examiner 

for each Defendant (i.e., the VW Entities, the Porsche Entities, and Bosch) shall be permitted to 

conduct questioning. The Parties shall conduct the examinations so as to avoid duplicative 

questioning, subject to the terms of this Order.

2. Sequence of Examination Noticed by Plaintiffs

If the deposition was noticed by the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee, the questioning of the 

witness will be conducted in the following sequence: (1) the examiner for Plaintiffs’ Steering 

Committee; (2) United States government examiner(s); (3) a single representative for all 

plaintiffs in State Court “Clean Diesel” Cases, if appropriate; (4) primary examiner selected by 

Defendants, provided that there is no more than one examiner for each of the Defendant groups 

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(i.e., VW Entities, Porsche Entities and Bosch); (5) non-repetitive questioning by counsel for 

other Defendants, if any; (6) individual counsel for the witness, if any, other than counsel above; 

and (7) any re-cross by (1)-(3), supra, to the extent the examiner has not exceeded the time 

limitations set forth in Section III.G (Length of Examination) of this Order. 

If the deposition was noticed by a United States Government Plaintiff, the questioning of 

the witness will be conducted in the following sequence: (1) United States government 

examiner(s); (2) the examiner for Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee; (3) a single representative for 

all plaintiffs in State Court “Clean Diesel” Cases, if appropriate; (4) primary examiner selected 

by Defendants, provided that there is no more than one examiner for each of the Defendant 

groups (i.e., VW Entities, Porsche Entities and Bosch); (5) non-repetitive questioning by counsel 

for other Defendants, if any; (6) individual counsel for the witness, if any, other than counsel 

above; and (7) any re-cross by (1)-(3), supra, to the extent the examiner has not exceeded the 

time limitations set forth in Section III.G (Length of Examination) of this Order.

The Parties may, by agreement, modify this sequence in the context of a particular 

deposition as may be appropriate to facilitate or enhance coordination and participation by other 

litigants.

3. Sequence of Examinations Noticed by Defendants

a. Depositions of Private Plaintiff Witnesses

If the deposition of a private Plaintiff fact or expert witness was noticed by a Defendant, 

the questioning of the witness will be conducted in the following sequence: (1) the primary 

examiner selected by Defendants, provided that there is no more than one examiner for each of 

the Defendant groups (i.e., VW Entities, Porsche Entities and Bosch); (2) non-repetitive 

questioning by counsel for other Defendants, if any; (3) United States government examiner(s); 

(4) a single representative for all state court plaintiffs in State Court “Clean Diesel” Cases, if 

appropriate; (5) individual counsel for the witness, if any; (6) an examiner selected by the 

Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee; and (7) any re-cross by Defendants’ examiner(s), to the extent 

the examiner has not exceeded the time limitations set forth in Section III.G (Length of 

Examination) of this Order.

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b. Depositions of Government Plaintiff Witnesses

If the deposition of a governmental fact or expert witness was noticed by a Defendant, the 

questioning of the witness will be conducted in the following sequence: (1) the primary 

examiner selected by Defendants, provided that there is no more than one examiner for each of 

the Defendant groups (i.e., VW Entities, Porsche Entities and Bosch); (2) non-repetitive 

questioning by counsel for other Defendants, if any; (3) an examiner selected by the Plaintiffs’ 

Steering Committee; (4) a single representative for all state court plaintiffs in State Court “Clean 

Diesel” Cases, if appropriate; (5) individual counsel for the witness, if any; (6) United States 

government examiner(s); and (7) any re-cross by Defendants’ examiner(s), to the extent the 

examiner has not exceeded the time limitations set forth in Section III.G (Length of 

Examination) of this Order.

4. Examination by State Court Plaintiffs

A single representative may be selected to question each witness on behalf of all 

plaintiffs in all State Court “Clean Diesel” Cases. No counsel in State Court “Clean Diesel” 

Cases may attend the deposition of any Defendant (or Defendant’s expert or Non Party witness 

related to a Defendant) unless his or her client is directly adverse to that Defendant in their 

respective State Court “Clean Diesel” Case, and no counsel in State Court “Clean Diesel” Cases 

may attend the deposition of any United States government witness or government expert 

without prior written consent by the United States or Federal Trade Commission, as applicable. 

5. Division of Time Among Plaintiffs’ Counsel

The Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee and counsel for the United States Government 

Plaintiffs shall work cooperatively with respect to the division of time amongst themselves.

6. Examinations of Non-Party Witnesses

The examination sequence of non-party witnesses shall presumptively follow the 

sequence specified by Sections III.F.2. and III.F.3, to accord examination priority to the Party 

that noticed the deposition. In circumstances where the presumptive sequence specified by 

Sections III.F.2 or III.F.3 would either be unfair, inefficient, or otherwise contrary to Fed. R. Civ. 

P. 30(c), the Parties shall meet and confer concerning the appropriate sequence of examination to 

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be followed. Failing agreement among the Parties, the matter shall be submitted to the Court for 

determination.

7. Documents Used at Depositions

a. Production of Documents

Rule 45 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure shall govern subpoenas directing thirdparty witnesses to produce documents.

b. Use of Foreign Language Documents at Depositions

Within thirty (30) days of the entry of this Order, the Parties shall meet and confer 

concerning a protocol for use of foreign language documents at depositions, including (i) 

whether to retain and, if so, the selection of a neutral translator to provide certified English 

translations of foreign language documents for use by the Parties at depositions; (ii) the 

allocation of fees and reasonable expenses of any such neutral translator; (iii) the challenge of 

document translations to be used at depositions; and (iv) any other matters relating to document 

translations and their use at depositions. 

c. Copies of Documents

Extra copies of documents about which deposing counsel expects to examine a witness 

should be provided to counsel for the Parties and the witness during the course of the deposition. 

These may be distributed as hard-copies or USB flash drives containing the relevant documents.

G. Length of Examination

Absent agreement of the Parties or a Court order allowing additional time pursuant to 

Rule 30(d)(1), the length of depositions conducted without an interpreter shall not exceed (14) 

hours of examination, over two days, for depositions noticed by the Plaintiffs’ Steering 

Committee or the United States Government Plaintiffs in this Action. The fourteen (14) hours of 

examination shall not include examination by (i) counsel for the witness or Party defending the 

deposition, (ii) counsel for any defendant in the Action, and (iii) counsel examining on behalf of 

state court plaintiffs in State Court “Clean Diesel” Cases for whom the deposition was crossnoticed by a party other than the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee, the United States, or the FTC. 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any party or witness believes that the presumptive limitations 

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for the duration of depositions imposed by Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 30(d)(1) should be 

imposed for a particular witness instead of the extended time limits permitted herein, or if any 

party wishes to exceed the presumptive limitations for the depositions that this Order provides, 

counsel for the party or witness shall meet and confer with Point Persons regarding the 

appropriate length of the deposition and, if the issue cannot be resolved through meet and confer 

negotiations, may seek judicial resolution.

For Rule 30(b)(6) depositions conducted without an interpreter, every fourteen (14) hours 

of examination of designated Rule 30(b)(6) witnesses shall count as one deposition.

The party noticing the deposition shall be entitled to a minute-for-minute re-cross 

following any examination by counsel for the witness or Party defending the deposition.

To the extent the Party defending the deposition reasonably anticipates that its 

questioning of its own witness will exceed ninety minutes, it will provide notice at least ten (10) 

days before the scheduled deposition, so arrangements can be made for the deposition to 

continue into an additional day, if necessary; provided, however, that nothing about this 

provision shall be interpreted to preclude any defending Party from questioning its own witness 

for the time that Party may deem necessary. The Parties may, by agreement, modify this 

provision in the context of a particular deposition as may be appropriate to facilitate or enhance 

coordination and participation by other litigants and counsel, including counsel in any State 

Court “Clean Diesel” Cases. 

In the event that the deposition involves an interpreter, the Parties shall meet and confer 

to determine the increase in the maximum length of the deposition in light of the procedures to 

be employed for interpreting testimony. If the Parties are unable to agree on any additional time 

to be allotted, the dispute shall be submitted promptly to the Court for resolution.

If it appears after coordination of time and sequencing as set forth above in this Section 

III that more or less time will be necessary, Point Persons and counsel for the witness shall meet 

and confer to attempt to reach a reasonable accommodation. 

H. Deposition Locations and Space

1. Location for Depositions 

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For those witnesses who reside or work in the United States, depositions will take place 

at one of the following locations, at the election of the witness: (1) the offices of such witness’s 

attorney(s), (2) a location in the district where the witness resides or works that can reasonably 

accommodate the needs of the witness and counsel for the Parties, or (3) another location that 

Point Persons and the witness agree is reasonably convenient. The Parties will meet and confer 

whether to designate certain locations at which the depositions should presumptively take place.

For those witnesses who reside outside of the United States, the depositions will take 

place at a location to be agreed to by counsel for the Parties and the witness. In the event

counsel for the Parties and the witness are unable to reach agreement on the location of a 

deposition, the noticing Party may notice the deposition in accordance with this Order, and the 

responding Party or witness shall present the dispute regarding the deposition location for 

adjudication.

2. Arrangements for Deposition Space

Parties responsible for securing deposition space shall reserve an adequately-sized room, 

and all counsel shall be provided with a separate room in which to confer during breaks. When

either Plaintiffs Steering Committee or any Defendant has secured the deposition space, that 

party shall also make reasonable efforts to ensure the availability of reasonable access to the 

Internet and basic office services, including but not limited to copy and fax machines without 

charge. 

I. Interpreters 

The Parties shall meet and confer concerning the circumstances warranting, and protocols 

governing, the use of party-selected or neutral interpreters at depositions, including the 

appropriate notice period, the number of interpreters, and allocation of costs and presumptive 

effect on deposition duration which will result from the use of interpreters.

Any witness for whom English is not his or her first language may use an interpreter at 

any deposition, at his or her sole election. Counsel for the witness or defending Party shall 

promptly, but in any event no less than fourteen (14) days prior to the deposition, notify the Point 

Persons if a witness has requested the use of an interpreter during a deposition, provided, 

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however, that counsel for the witness shall in all events be allowed at least seven (7) days 

following service of the deposition notice to provide such notification.

J. Objections and Instructions To Not Answer

1. Preservation of Objections

All objections, except those as to form, manner of taking the deposition and privilege, are 

reserved until trial or other use of the depositions. As soon as any one attorney representing a 

Party states the word “objection,” all Parties shall be deemed to have preserved all possible 

objections to the form of the question or the responsiveness of the answer. Counsel for other 

Parties should avoid repeating the objection. If an explanation for the basis of the objection is 

requested, objecting counsel may reiterate the objection and explain.

2. Prohibition on Speaking Objections

Counsel shall comply with Fed. R. Civ. P. 30(c)(2) concerning objections at depositions. 

Counsel shall not make objections or statements which might suggest an answer to a witness. 

Counsel shall refrain from engaging in colloquy during depositions. 

3. Objections to Documents 

a. Objections to Relevance or Admissibility

Any objection to the relevance or admissibility of a document used as a deposition 

exhibit is preserved for later ruling by the Court or by the trial judge. All Parties shall cooperate 

as necessary so that the Court may issue a ruling on any objection to a document prior to trial.

b. Objections as to Authenticity

Any objection to the authenticity of an exhibit used in the deposition must be made by the 

objecting Party within thirty (30) days of the deposition, or the exhibit will be deemed authentic. 

If a Party subsequently becomes aware of information that an exhibit is not authentic, that Party 

will promptly notify the Party that offered the exhibit. All Parties shall cooperate as necessary so 

that the Court may issue a ruling on any objection to a document prior to trial. 

This sub-Section shall not apply to any translations that are marked as exhibits.

4. Instructions Not To Answer

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Counsel may instruct a witness not to answer when necessary to preserve an applicable 

privilege or protection, such as the attorney-client privilege and the attorney work product 

doctrine, to enforce a limitation ordered by the Court, or to present a motion under Fed. R. Civ. 

P. 30(d)(3). When a privilege is claimed, to the extent a witness is able to answer questions 

relevant to the existence, extent, or waiver of the privilege (such as the date of a communication, 

who made the statement, to whom and in whose presence the statement was made, other persons 

to whom the contents of the statement have been disclosed, and such other information as may 

be necessary to determine the nature of the purportedly privileged communication), without 

waiving the privilege, the witness should do so. Unless otherwise specified, an instruction not 

to answer by one Defendant should not be deemed an instruction not to answer by all 

Defendants, and an instruction not to answer by one Plaintiff shall not be deemed an instruction 

not to answer by all Plaintiffs. Nothing herein is meant to modify the requirements of Paragraph 

I.K. in Pretrial Order No. 16 (relating, in part, to instructions not to answer regarding possible 

Privileged Material used at a deposition).

K. Disputes During Depositions

Disputes between the Parties should be addressed to this Court rather than the district 

court in the district in which the deposition is being conducted. Disputes arising during 

depositions that cannot be resolved by agreement and that, if not immediately resolved, will 

significantly disrupt the discovery schedule or require rescheduling of the deposition, or might 

result in the need to conduct a supplemental deposition, shall be presented to the Court, and if the 

Court is not available, and to the extent the Parties are still unable to resolve the dispute, the 

deposition shall continue as to matters not in dispute with full reservation of rights for a ruling at 

the earliest possible time. If the nature of the dispute would not stop the deposition from going 

forward, the Parties may agree among themselves either to present the matter to the Court by 

telephone, or to present the dispute in writing. The deposition reporter shall make a transcript of 

the conference call proceedings, which shall be transcribed immediately and bound separately. 

In the event the Court is unavailable by telephone to resolve disputes arising during the course of 

the deposition, the deposition shall nevertheless continue to be taken as to matters not in dispute. 

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Nothing in this Order shall deny counsel the right to (1) suspend a deposition pursuant to Fed. R. 

Civ. P. 30(d)(3); or (2) file an appropriate motion with the Court after the deposition, and appear 

personally before the Court.

L. Video Depositions

By so indicating in its notice of a deposition, a Party, at its expense, may record a 

deposition by videotape or digitally-recorded video pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 30(b)(3) subject 

to the following rules:

1. Real-Time Feed - All video depositions will be recorded stenographically 

by a court reporter with “real-time feed” transcription capabilities. Nothing herein precludes 

any Party from ordering “real-time feed” for any non-video deposition. 

2. Video Operator - The operator(s) of the video recording equipment shall 

be subject to the provisions of Fed. R. Civ. P. 28(c). At the commencement of the deposition, 

the operator(s) shall swear or affirm to record the proceedings fairly and accurately.

3. Attendance - Each witness, attorney and other person attending the 

deposition shall be identified on the record at the commencement of the deposition.

4. Filing - The operator shall preserve custody of the original video medium 

(tape or DVD) in its original condition until further order of the Court.

5. Interruptions - The video camera operation will be suspended during 

the deposition only upon stipulation by counsel and “off-the-record” discussions.

6. Filming - The videographer shall film the witness only while the witness 

is seated in the witness chair and shall not film the witness at any other time, including when 

entering or leaving the deposition room. The videographer shall not film any persons in the 

room, except for the witness.

M. Correction and Signing of Depositions

Within thirty (30) days after the deposition is completed, unless expressly waived by the 

witness, a transcript of the deposition shall be provided to the witness for correction and 

signature. For any witness residing in the United States, the deposition may be signed before 

any notary or certified under penalty of perjury within thirty (30) days after the date that the 

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transcript is received by counsel for the witness. For any witness residing outside of the United 

States, the deposition may be signed before any notary or certified under penalty of perjury 

within sixty (60) days after the date that the transcript is received by counsel for the witness. If 

no corrections are made during this time, then, absent any agreement to extend these deadlines, 

the transcript will be presumed accurate. The Parties may agree to reasonable extensions of 

these deadlines.

N. Cost of Deposition

The noticing Party shall bear the initial expenses of stenographic recording and 

videotaping (as appropriate), and any costs associated with securing appropriate deposition 

space. The Parties shall pay for their own copies of transcripts and videotapes/DVDs of 

depositions. The Parties shall confer to determine whether it is appropriate to retain a dedicated 

court-reporting firm to record all depositions. 

O. Use of Depositions

Depositions of witnesses conducted in this Action may be used in State Court “Clean 

Diesel” Cases to the extent permitted by that state’s laws and rules and applicable coordination 

orders, including PTO 13 (but subject to the restrictions of this Order, including Section III.E.1). 

Depositions may, to the extent authorized by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure or the 

Federal Rules of Evidence, be used by or against any Party.

P. Witness Claim to Alternate Procedures

To the extent that any Party anticipates a witness asserting that applicable law requires a 

procedure other than that set forth herein or under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Party 

aware of the issue shall promptly notify all other Parties in writing. The Parties shall thereafter 

meet and confer in an effort to timely resolve the matter among the Parties so as to minimize any 

disruption to the scheduling of the deposition. To the extent the Parties are unable to resolve the 

issue, the matter shall be promptly presented for judicial resolution. 

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IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: May 12, 2016

______________________________

CHARLES R. BREYER

United States District Judge

SO STIPULATED.

DATED: May 11, 2016 Respectfully submitted,

LIEFF CABRASER HEIMANN & BERNSTEIN, LLP

By: /s/ Elizabeth J. Cabraser

Elizabeth J. Cabraser

Elizabeth J. Cabraser 

LIEFF CABRASER HEIMANN & BERNSTEIN, LLP

275 Battery Street, 29th Floor

San Francisco, CA 94111-3339

Telephone: (415) 956-1000

Facsimile: (415) 956-1008

ecabraser@lchb.com

Lead Counsel for Plaintiffs

DATED: May 11, 2016 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

By: /s/ Joshua H. Van Eaton

Joshua H. Van Eaton

Joshua H. Van Eaton

Environmental Enforcement Section

Environment and Natural Resources Division

United States Department of Justice

P.O. Box 7611

Washington, D.C. 20044-7611

Telephone: (202) 514-5474

Facsimile: (202) 514-0097

Josh.Van.Eaton@usdoj.gov

Coordinating Counsel for the United States

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DATED: May 11, 2016 FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

By: /s/ Jonathan Cohen

Jonathan Cohen

Jonathan Cohen

Federal Trade Commission

600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, CC-9528

Washington, DC 20580

Facsimile: (202) 326-2551-3197

Counsel for Plaintiff Federal Trade Commission

DATED: May 11, 2016 SULLIVAN & CROMWELL LLP

By: /s/ Robert j. Giuffra, Jr.

Robert J. Giuffra, Jr.

Robert J. Giuffra, Jr.

Sharon L. Nelles

William B. Monahan

John G. McCarthy

SULLIVAN & CROMWELL LLP

125 Broad Street

New York, New York 10004

Telephone: (212) 558-4000

Facsimile: (212) 558-3588

giuffrar@sullcrom.com

nelless@sullcrom.com

monahanw@sullcrom.com

mccarthyj@sullcrom.com

Co-Liaison Counsel for the Volkswagen Group Defendants

DATED: May 11, 2016 HERZFELD & RUBIN, P.C.

By: /s/ Jeffrey L. Chase

Jeffrey L. Chase

Jeffrey L. Chase 

HERZFELD & RUBIN, P.C. 

125 Broad Street

New York, New York 10004

Telephone: (212) 471-8500

Facsimile: (212) 344-3333

jchase@herzfeld-rubin.com

Co-Liaison Counsel for the Volkswagen Group Defendants

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DATED: May 11, 2016 ALSTON & BIRD LLP

By: /s/ Cari K. Dawson

Cari K. Dawson

Cari K. Dawson

ALSTON & BIRD LLP

One Atlantic Center

1201 West Peachtree Street

Atlanta, Georgia 30309-3424 

Telephone: (404) 881-7766

Facsimile: (404) 253-8567

cari.dawson@alston.com

Liaison Counsel for Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

DATED: May 11, 2016 CLEARY GOTTLIEB STEEN & HAMILTON LLP 

By: /s/ Matthew D. Slater

Matthew D. Slater

Matthew D. Slater

CLEARY GOTTLIEB STEEN & HAMILTON LLP 

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP

2000 Pennsylvania Ave., NW 

Washington, DC 20006

Telephone: (202) 974-1500

Facsimile: (202) 974-1999

mslater@cgsh.com

Counsel for Robert Bosch GmbH and Robert Bosch LLC

ATTESTATION

Pursuant to Civil Local Rule 5-1(i)(3), the filer of this document attests that concurrence 

in the filing of this document has been obtained from the other signatories above.

DATED: May 11, 2016 By: /s/ Elizabeth J. Cabraser

 Elizabeth J. Cabraser

 

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