Interrogatories

A Levels Academy Islamabad

Transcript

00:00It's good to ask questions, whether you're a scientist, journalist, game show host, or,

00:07especially, a party in a civil case.

00:11Interrogatories are questions that one party can ask another party about their case.

00:15The party that receives interrogatories from an opposing party must answer these questions

00:19under oath.

00:21And that party has 30 days to respond to those questions, although the court can allow either

00:27a shorter or longer amount of time.

00:30If the other party doesn't answer an interrogatory question, you can ask the judge to order them

00:34to do so.

00:36Now, an interrogatory is meant to obtain relevant information for the case.

00:41If you receive improper interrogatories to answer, you can object.

00:46For example, if the interrogatory asks about something that has nothing to do with the

00:50case, you can object that it's irrelevant.

00:55Interrogatories aren't intended to annoy or pester litigants.

00:58If too much is being asked, your objection could be that they are overly broad, burdensome,

01:04or even harassment.

01:06In addition, questions cannot infringe upon privileged communications.

01:12This is information shared in confidential relationships, such as with a priest, a doctor,

01:17or an attorney.

01:19Any objections you have, no matter what they are, must be written down first, filed with

01:24the court, and sent to your opponent within 30 days.

01:27Or you may not be able to raise objections later.

01:30Once the objections are made, you don't have to answer until the judge rules on their

01:34validity, whether to sustain the objection or overrule it and allow the question.

01:41If you have to answer, but the answer is contained in a document already, then you can simply

01:45give your opponent those documents instead of specifically researching them yourself.

01:51Interrogatories are generally not used for evidence in a trial, but can be admissible

01:55in certain situations.

01:58LegalYou is there to help you navigate the interrogatory process, along with any other

02:02legal concerns.

02:04You have a right to information.

02:06All you have to do is ask.