§ Rule 4007.1 Procedure in Deposition By Oral Examination

Rule 4007.1. Procedure in Deposition By Oral Examination

    (a) A party desiring to take the deposition of any person upon oral examination shall give reasonable notice in writing to every other party to the action, except that no notice need be given a defendant who was served by publication and has not appeared in the action. A party noticed to be deposed shall be required to appear without subpoena.

    (b) The notice shall conform with the requirements of subdivision (c) of this Rule and of Rule 4007.2(b) and (c) where appropriate and shall state the time and place of taking the deposition and the name and address of each person to be examined if known, and, if the name is not known, a general description sufficient to identify the deponent or the particular class or group to which the deponent belongs.

        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.

    (c) The purpose of the deposition and matters to be inquired into need not be stated in the notice unless the action has been commenced by writ of summons and the plaintiff desires to take the deposition of any person upon oral examination for the purpose of preparing a complaint. In such case the notice shall include a brief statement of the nature of the cause of action and of the matters to be inquired into.

        Note: See Rule 4003.8 governing pre-complaint discovery.

    (d)(1) If the person to be examined is a party, the notice may include a request made in compliance with Rule 4009.1 et seq., for the production of documents and tangible things at the taking of the deposition.

        (2) If the person to be examined is not a party, and is to be served with a subpoena duces tecum to produce designated materials, the notice shall specify the materials to be produced. The materials shall be produced at the deposition and not earlier, except upon the consent of all parties to the action.

    (e) A party may in the notice and in a subpoena, if issued, name as the deponent a public or private corporation or a partnership or association or governmental agency and describe with reasonable particularity the matters to be inquired into and the materials to be produced. In that event, the organization so named shall serve a designation of one or more officers, directors, or managing agents, or other persons who consent to testify on its behalf, and may set forth, for each person designated the matters on which each person will testify. A subpoena shall advise a non-party organization of its duty to make such a designation. The person or persons so designated shall testify as to matters known or reasonably available to the organization. This subdivision (e) does not preclude taking a deposition by any other procedure authorized in these rules.

    (f) An application for an order pursuant to Section 5326(a) of the Judicial Code may be filed only in the county in which the person who is the subject of the order resides, is employed or regularly transacts business in person.

        Note: Section 5326 of the Judicial Code, 42 Pa.C.S. § 5326, a part of the Uniform Interstate and International Procedure Act, provides for assistance to tribunals and litigants outside the
Commonwealth.