Discovery

24 C.F.R. Part ..., Subpart E
in effectEffective: 2024-07-01

24 C.F.R. § 180.500 Discovery.

(a) In general. This subpart governs discovery in aid of administrative proceedings under this part. Discovery in Fair Housing Act matters shall be completed 15 days before the date scheduled for hearing or at such time as the ALJ shall direct. Discovery in non-Fair Housing Act matters shall be completed as the ALJ directs. (b) Scope. The parties are encouraged to engage in voluntary discovery procedures. Discovery shall be conducted as expeditiously and inexpensively as possible, consistent with the needs of all parties to obtain relevant evidence. Unless otherwise ordered by the ALJ, the parties may obtain discovery regarding any matter, not privileged, that is relevant to the subject matter involved in the proceeding, including the existence, description, nature, custody, condition, and location of documents or persons having knowledge of any discoverable matter. It is not grounds for objection that information sought will be inadmissible if the information appears reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence. (c) Methods. Parties may obtain discovery by one or more of the following methods: (1) Deposition upon oral examination or written questions. (2) Written interrogatories. (3) Requests for the production of documents or other evidence for inspection and other purposes. (4) Requests for admissions. (5) Upon motion of a party, the presiding ALJ may issue an order requiring a physical or mental examination of a party or of a person in the custody or under the legal control of a party. (d) Frequency and sequence. Unless otherwise ordered by the ALJ or restricted by this subpart, the frequency or sequence of these methods is not limited. (e) Non-intervening aggrieved person. For purposes of obtaining discovery from a non-intervening aggrieved person, the term party as used in this subpart includes the aggrieved person.

24 C.F.R. § 180.505 Supplementation of responses.

A party is under a duty, in a timely fashion, to: (a) Supplement a response with respect to any question directly addressed to: (1) The identity and location of persons having knowledge of discoverable matters; and (2) The identity of each person expected to be called as an expert witness, the subject matter on which the expert witness is expected to testify, and the substance of the testimony. (b) Amend a response if the party later obtains information upon the basis of which: (1) The party knows the response was incorrect when made, or (2) The party knows the response, though correct when made, is no longer true, and the circumstances are such that a failure to amend the response is, in substance, a knowing concealment. (c) Supplement other responses, as imposed by order of the ALJ or by agreement of the parties.

24 C.F.R. § 180.510 Interrogatories.

(a) Any party may serve on any other party written interrogatories to be answered by the party served. If the party served is a public or private corporation, a partnership, an association, or a governmental agency, the interrogatories may be answered by any authorized officer or agent who shall furnish such information as may be available to the party. A party may serve not more than 30 written interrogatories on another party without an order of the ALJ. (b) Each interrogatory shall be answered separately and fully in writing under oath or affirmation, unless it is objected to, in which event, the reasons for the objection shall be stated in lieu of an answer. The answers shall be signed by the person making them, and the objections may be signed by the attorney or other representative making them. The answers and objections shall be served within 15 days after service of the interrogatories. (c) It is a sufficient answer to an interrogatory to specify the records from which the answer may be derived or ascertained if: (1) The answer to the interrogatory may be derived or ascertained from the records of the party on whom the interrogatory has been served or from an examination, audit or inspection of such records, or from a compilation, abstract or summary based thereon, and (2) The burden of deriving or ascertaining the answer is substantially the same for the party serving the interrogatory as the party served. The party serving the interrogatory shall be afforded reasonable opportunity to examine, audit or inspect such records and to make copies, compilations, abstracts or summaries. The specification shall include sufficient detail to permit the interrogating party to locate and identify the individual records from which the answer may be ascertained. (d) Objections to the form of written interrogatories are waived unless served in writing upon the party propounding the interrogatories.

24 C.F.R. § 180.515 Depositions.

(a) Notice. Upon written notice to the witness and to all other parties, a party may take the testimony of a witness by deposition and may request the production of specified documents or materials by the witness at the deposition. Notice of the taking of a deposition shall be given not less than five days before the deposition is scheduled. The notice shall state: (1) The purpose and general scope of the deposition; (2) The time and place of the deposition; (3) The name and address of the person before whom the deposition is to be taken; (4) The name and address of the witness; and (5) A specification of the documents and materials that the witness is requested to produce. (b) Deposition of an organization. If the deposition of a public or private corporation, partnership, association, or governmental agency is sought, the organization so named shall designate one or more officers, directors or agents to testify on its behalf, and may set forth, for each person designated, the matters on which he/she will testify. (c) Procedure at deposition. Depositions may be taken before any disinterested person having power to administer oaths in the location where the deposition is to be taken. Each deponent shall be placed under oath or affirmation, and the other parties will have the right to cross-examine. The deponent may have counsel present during the deposition. The questions propounded and all answers and objections thereto shall be reduced to writing, read by or to and subscribed by the witness, and certified by the person before whom the deposition was taken. Non-intervening aggrieved persons may be present at depositions in which they are not the deponent. (d) Motion to terminate or limit examination. During the taking of a deposition, a party or the witness may request suspension of the deposition on the grounds of bad faith in the conduct of the examination, oppression of the witness or party, or improper questioning or conduct. Upon request for suspension, the deposition will be adjourned. The objecting party or witness must immediately move the ALJ for a ruling on the objection. The ALJ may then limit the scope or manner of taking the deposition. (e) Waiver of deposing officer's disqualification. Objection to taking a deposition because of the disqualification of the officer before whom it is taken is waived unless made before the taking of the deposition begins or as soon thereafter as the disqualification becomes known or could have been discovered with reasonable diligence. (f) Payment of costs of deposition. The party requesting the deposition shall bear all costs of the deposition.

24 C.F.R. § 180.520 Use of deposition at hearings.

(a) In general. At the hearing, any part or all of a deposition, so far as admissible under the Federal Rules of Evidence, may be used against any party who was present or represented at the taking of the deposition or who had due notice of the taking of the deposition, in accordance with the following provisions: (1) Any deposition may be used by any party for the purpose of contradicting or impeaching the testimony of the deponent as a witness. (2) The deposition of an expert witness may be used by any party for any purpose, unless the ALJ rules that such use is unfair or in violation of due process. (3) The deposition of a party, or of anyone who at the time of the taking of the deposition was an officer, director, or duly authorized agent of a public or private corporation, partnership, or association that is a party, may be used by any other party for any purpose. (4) The deposition of a witness, whether or not a party, may be used by any party for any purpose if the ALJ finds: (i) That the witness is dead; (ii) That the witness is out of the United States or more than 100 miles from the place of hearing, unless it appears that the absence of the witness was procured by the party offering the deposition; (iii) That the witness is unable to attend to testify because of age, sickness, infirmity, or imprisonment; (iv) That the party offering the deposition has been unable to procure the attendance of the witness by subpoena; or (v) Whenever exceptional circumstances exist as to make it desirable, in the interest of justice and with due regard to the importance of presenting the testimony of witnesses orally in open hearing, to allow the deposition to be used. (5) If a part of a deposition is offered in evidence by a party, any other party may require the party to introduce all of the deposition that is relevant to the part introduced. Any party may introduce any other part of the deposition. (6) Substitution of parties does not affect the right to use depositions previously taken. If a proceeding has been dismissed and another proceeding involving the same subject matter is later brought between the same parties or their representatives or successors in interest, all depositions lawfully taken in the former proceeding may be used in the latter proceeding. (b) Objections to admissibility. Except as provided in this paragraph, objection may be made at the hearing to receiving in evidence any deposition or part of a deposition for any reason that would require the exclusion of the evidence if the witness were present and testifying. (1) Objections to the competency of a witness or to the competency, relevancy, or materiality of testimony are not waived by failure to make them before or during the taking of the deposition, unless the basis of the objection is one which might have been obviated or removed if presented at that time. (2) Errors and irregularities occurring at the oral examination in the manner of taking the deposition, in the form of the questions or answers, in the oath or affirmation, or in the conduct of parties, and errors of any kind which might be obviated, removed or cured if promptly presented, are waived unless reasonable objection is made at the taking of the deposition.

24 C.F.R. § 180.525 Requests for production of documents or things for inspection or other purposes, including physical and mental examinations.

(a) Any party may serve on any other party a request to: (1) Produce and/or permit the party, or a person acting on the party's behalf, to inspect and copy any designated documents, or to inspect and copy, test, or sample any tangible things that contain or may lead to relevant information and that are in the possession, custody, or control of the party upon whom the request is served. (2) Permit entry upon designated land or other property in the possession or control of the party upon whom the request is served for the purpose of inspection and measuring, photographing, testing, or other purposes stated in paragraph (a)(1) of this section. (b) Each request shall set forth with reasonable particularity the items or categories to be inspected and shall specify a reasonable time, place and manner for making the inspection and performing the related acts. (c) Within 15 days after service of the request, the party upon whom the request is served shall serve a written response on the party submitting the request. The response shall state, with regard to each item or category, that inspection and related activities will be permitted as requested, unless there are objections, in which case the reasons for the objection shall be stated. (d) Upon motion of any party, when the mental or physical condition (including the blood group) of a party or of a person in the custody or under the legal control of a party, is in controversy, the presiding ALJ may order the party to submit to a physical or mental examination by a suitably licensed or certified examiner or to produce for examination the person in the party's custody or legal control. The order may be made only on motion for good cause shown and upon notice to the person to be examined and to all parties and shall specify the time, place, manner, conditions, and scope of the examination and the person or persons by whom it is to be made. A report of the examiner shall be made in accordance with Rule 35(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

24 C.F.R. § 180.530 Requests for admissions.

(a) Any party may serve on any other party a written request for the admission of the truth of any matters relevant to the adjudication set forth in the request that relate to statements or opinions of fact or of application of law to fact, including the genuineness and authenticity of any documents described in or attached to the request. (b) Each matter for which an admission is requested is admitted unless, within 15 days after service of the request, or within such time as the ALJ allows, the party to whom the request is directed serves on the requesting party a sworn written answer which: (1) Specifically denies, in whole or in part, the matter for which an admission is requested; (2) Sets forth in detail why the party cannot truthfully admit or deny the matter; or (3) States an objection that the matter is privileged, irrelevant or otherwise improper in whole or in part. (c) An answering party may not give lack of information or knowledge as a reason for failure to admit or deny, unless he/she/it states that he/she/it has made a reasonable inquiry and that the information known to, or readily obtainable by, him/her/it is insufficient to enable the party to admit or deny. (d) The party requesting admissions may move for a determination of the sufficiency of the answers or objections. Unless the ALJ determines that an objection is justified, the ALJ shall order that an answer be served. If the ALJ determines that an answer does not comply with the requirements of this section, the ALJ may order either that the matter is admitted or that an amended answer be served. (e) Any matter admitted under this section is conclusively established unless, upon the motion of a party, the ALJ permits the withdrawal or amendment of the admission. Any admission made under this section is made for the purposes of the pending proceeding only, is not an admission by the party for any other purpose, and may not be used against the party in any other proceeding.

24 C.F.R. § 180.535 Protective orders.

(a) Upon motion of a party or a person from whom discovery is sought or in accordance with § 180.540(c), and for good cause shown, the ALJ may make appropriate orders to protect a party or person from annoyance, embarrassment, oppression, or undue burden or expense as a result of the requested discovery request. The order may direct that: (1) The discovery may not be had; (2) The discovery may be had only on specified terms and conditions, including at a designated time and place; (3) The discovery may be had by a method of discovery other than that selected by the party seeking discovery; (4) Certain matters may not be the subject of discovery, or the scope of discovery may be limited to certain matters; (5) Discovery may be conducted with no one present other than persons designated by the ALJ; (6) A trade secret or other confidential research, development or commercial information may not be disclosed, or may be disclosed only in a designated way; or (7) The party or other person from whom discovery is sought may file specified documents or information under seal to be opened as directed by the ALJ. (b) The ALJ may permit a party or other person from whom discovery is sought, who is seeking a protective order, to make all or part of the showing of good cause in camera. If such a showing is made, upon motion of the party or other person from whom discovery is sought, an in camera record of the proceedings may be made. If the ALJ enters a protective order, any in camera record of such showing shall be sealed and preserved and made available to the ALJ or, in the event of appeal, to the Secretary or a court.

24 C.F.R. § 180.540 Motion to compel discovery.

(a) If a deponent fails to answer a question propounded, or a party upon whom a discovery request has been made fails to respond adequately, objects to a request, or fails to produce documents or other inspection as requested, the discovering party may move the ALJ for an order compelling discovery in accordance with the request. The motion shall: (1) State the nature of the request; (2) Set forth the response or objection of the deponent or party upon whom the request was served; (3) Present arguments supporting the motion; and (4) Attach copies of all relevant discovery requests and responses. (b) For the purposes of this section, an evasive or incomplete answer or response will be treated as a failure to answer or respond. (c) In ruling on a motion under this section, the ALJ may enter an order compelling a response in accordance with the request, may issue sanctions under paragraph (d) of this section, or may enter a protective order under § 180.535. (d) Sanctions. If a party fails to provide or permit discovery, the ALJ may take such action as is just, including but not limited to the following: (1) Inferring that the admission, testimony, document, or other evidence would have been adverse to the party; (2) Ordering that, for purposes of the adjudication, the matters regarding which the order was made or any other designated facts shall be taken to be established in accordance with the claim of the party obtaining the order; (3) Prohibiting the party failing to comply with the order from introducing evidence concerning, or otherwise relying upon, documents or other evidence withheld; (4) Ordering that the party withholding discovery not introduce into evidence, or otherwise use in the hearing, information obtained in discovery; (5) Permitting the requesting party to introduce secondary evidence concerning the information sought; (6) Striking any appropriate part of the pleadings or other submissions of the party failing to comply with such order; or (7) Taking such other action as may be appropriate.

24 C.F.R. § 180.545 Subpoenas.

(a) This section governs the issuance of subpoenas in administrative proceedings under the Fair Housing Act. Except for time periods stated in the rules in this section, to the extent that this section conflicts with procedures for the issuance of subpoenas in civil actions in the United States District Court for the District in which the investigation of the discriminatory housing practice took place, the rules of the United States District Court apply. (b) Issuance of subpoena. Upon the written request of a party, the presiding ALJ or other designated ALJ may issue a subpoena requiring the attendance of a witness for the purpose of giving testimony at a deposition or hearing and requiring the production of relevant books, papers, documents or tangible things. (c) Time of request. Requests for subpoenas in aid of discovery must be submitted in time to permit the conclusion of discovery 15 days before the date scheduled for the hearing. If a request for subpoenas of a witness for testimony at a hearing is submitted three days or less before the hearing, the subpoena shall be issued at the discretion of the presiding ALJ, or other designated ALJ as appropriate. (d) Service. A subpoena may be served by any person who is not a party and is not less than 18 years of age. Service on a person shall be made by delivering a copy of the subpoena to the person and by tendering witness fees and mileage to that person. When the subpoena is issued on behalf of HUD, witness fees and mileage need not be tendered with the subpoena. (e) Amount of witness fees and mileage. A witness summoned by a subpoena issued under this part is entitled to the same witness and mileage fees as a witness in proceedings in United States District Courts. Fees payable to a witness summoned by a subpoena shall be paid by the party requesting the issuance of the subpoena, or where the ALJ determines that a party is unable to pay the fees, the fees shall be paid by HUD. (f) Motion to quash or limit subpoena. Upon a motion by the person served with a subpoena or by a party, made within five days after service of the subpoena (but in any event not less than the time specified in the subpoena for compliance), the ALJ may: (1) Quash or modify the subpoena if it is unreasonable and oppressive or for other good cause shown; or (2) Condition denial of the motion upon the advancement, by the party on whose behalf the subpoena was issued, of the reasonable cost of producing subpoenaed books, papers or documents. Where circumstances require, the ALJ may act upon such a motion at any time after a copy of the motion has been served upon the party on whose behalf the subpoena was issued. (g) Failure to comply with subpoena. If a person fails to comply with a subpoena issued under this section, the party requesting the subpoena may refer the matter to the Attorney General for enforcement in appropriate proceedings under 42 U.S.C. 3614(c).

Starting a business? Corpus forms LLCs in all 50 states and DC.