Opinion ID: 2089165
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Appealability of the court's order

Text: As a threshold matter, we must determine whether the court's decision to permit the taking of a deposition prior to the filing of an action is subject to an appeal. Ordinarily, appeals must be from a final judgment. Lewellyn v. Bell, 635 A.2d 945, 946 (Me.1993). Discovery orders generally are not subject to immediate appeal because the underlying litigation is ongoing, and the discovery order is not considered final. Hanley v. Evans, 443 A.2d 65, 66 (Me.1982). Depositions authorized pursuant to M.R.Civ.P. 27 are not, however, considered a traditional discovery device. 1 Field, McKusick & Wroth, Maine Civil Practice § 27.1 (2d ed. Supp.1981); M.R.Civ.P. 27, Reporter's Notes (1959). Moreover, the federal courts, in interpreting F.R.Civ.P. 27, which is substantially similar to M.R.Civ.P. 27, have held that both the denial and grant of a petition to perpetuate testimony are appealable as final orders because such orders grant all the relief sought in the petition and fully dispose of that proceeding. See Shore v. Acands, Inc., 644 F.2d 386, 388 (5th Cir. 1981); Mosseller v. United States, 158 F.2d 380, 383 (2d Cir.1946). States that have an analogue to F.R.Civ.P. 27 and that have considered the appealability of Rule 27 orders have followed the federal rule. See, e.g., In re Burlington Bagel Bakery, Inc., 150 Vt. 20, 549 A.2d 1044, 1045 (1988) (determination of finality of order denying a petition to perpetuate testimony pursuant to state rule of civil procedure is guided by federal caselaw). We therefore consider the merits of Planned Parenthood's appeal.