§ Rule 4007.2 When Leave of Court Required
Rule 4007.2. When Leave of Court Required
(a) Except as provided by Rules 1042.5 and 4003.5(a)(2) and by subdivisions (b) and (d) of this rule, a deposition may be taken without leave of court.
Note: Rule 1042.5 governs discovery in a professional liability action prior to the filing of a certificate of merit.
See Rule 1930.5(a) providing that there shall be no discovery in specified domestic relations matters unless authorized by the court. See also Rules 1910.9 and 1915.5(c) governing discovery in actions for support and custody, respectively.
(b) Leave of court must be obtained if a plaintiff's notice schedules the taking of a deposition prior to the expiration of thirty days after service of the original process and the defendant has not served a notice of taking a deposition or otherwise sought discovery, unless the party or person to be examined is
(1) aged or infirm, or
(2) about to leave the county in which the action is pending for a place outside the Commonwealth or a place more than one hundred miles from the courthouse in which the action is pending.
(c) If the plaintiff proceeds under subdivision (b)(1) or (2) of this rule the notice of taking the deposition shall set forth the facts which support taking it without leave of court. The plaintiff's attorney shall sign the notice and this signature shall constitute a certification that to the best of the attorney's knowledge, information and belief the statement of facts is true.
Note: The court upon cause shown may make a protective order with respect to the time and place of taking the deposition. See Rule 4012.
(d) The deposition of a person confined in prison may be taken only by leave of court on such terms as the court prescribes.