Opinion ID: 541964
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Quashing of Post-Discovery Subpoenas

Text: 22 Well after the close of discovery, the plaintiffs subpoenaed two witnesses to testify at the hearing on the motion to amend the complaint. Choosing to decide the motion based solely on the record before it, the district court quashed these subpoenas. The appellants challenge this ruling. 23 The record shows that, well before the close of discovery, the plaintiffs knew of the existence of these two individuals. In spite of this knowledge, the plaintiffs failed to depose these witnesses in time for their testimony to be included in the record that the court considered at the hearing. Having failed to properly prosecute their case, the plaintiffs may not now look to this court to remedy the problem that is entirely of their own making. Rule 43(e) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure provides that a court may hear a motion on affidavits presented by the respective parties, but the court may direct that the matter be heard wholly or partly on oral testimony or deposition. Nothing in the wording of the rule even hints that it is an abuse of discretion for a district court to refuse to hear testimony at a motions hearing. Cf. World Brilliance Corp. v. Bethlehem Steel Co., 342 F.2d 362, 366 (2d Cir.1965) (Motions may be decided wholly on the papers, and usually are, rather than after oral examination and cross-examination of witnesses). It was not error for the district court to quash the subpoenas. 24 In summary, we reject all of the appellants' contentions and affirm, in its entirety, the district court's disposition of the case. We hold that it was within the discretion of the court to refuse to grant the plaintiffs leave to amend their complaint; that the dismissal of ACT's claims against Group W and the dismissal of all of the claims of the individual plaintiffs were fully justified under the law of defamation; that the district court did not lose jurisdiction of the pendent state claims when it dismissed the claim against Group W for the October broadcast; and that the district court was well within its discretion in quashing the subpoenas issued after the close of discovery. 25 AFFIRMED.