Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/boundvolumes/529bv.pdf
Page Number: 1152

Date/Time: 08-17-01 13:25:22
Job: 529RUL

Unit: U3CV

Pagination Table: RULES1

1166

RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE

more convenient, less burdensome, or less expensive; (ii) the
party seeking discovery has had ample opportunity by dis-
covery in the action to obtain the information sought; or (iii)
the burden or expense of the proposed discovery outweighs
its likely beneﬁt, taking into account the needs of the case,
the amount in controversy, the parties’ resources, the impor-
tance of the issues at stake in the litigation, and the impor-
tance of the proposed discovery in resolving the issues. The
court may act upon its own initiative after reasonable notice
or pursuant to a motion under Rule 26(c).

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(d) Timing and sequence of discovery.—Except in catego-
ries of proceedings exempted from initial disclosure under
Rule 26(a)(1)(E), or when authorized under these rules or
by order or agreement of the parties, a party may not seek
discovery from any source before the parties have conferred
as required by Rule 26(f). Unless the court upon motion,
for the convenience of parties and witnesses and in the inter-
ests of justice, orders otherwise, methods of discovery may
be used in any sequence, and the fact that a party is conduct-
ing discovery, whether by deposition or otherwise, does not
operate to delay any other party’s discovery.

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( f ) Conference of parties; planning for discovery.—Ex-
cept in categories of proceedings exempted from initial dis-
closure under Rule 26(a)(1)(E) or when otherwise ordered,
the parties must, as soon as practicable and in any event
at least 21 days before a scheduling conference is held or a
scheduling order is due under Rule 16(b), confer to consider
the nature and basis of their claims and defenses and the
possibilities for a prompt settlement or resolution of the case,
to make or arrange for the disclosures required by Rule
26(a)(1), and to develop a proposed discovery plan that indi-
cates the parties’ views and proposals concerning:

(1) what changes should be made in the timing, form,
or requirement for disclosures under Rule 26(a), includ-