California Discovery Toolkit: Interrogatories, RFAs & RFPs Explained

Discovery is the engine of every California civil case. Properly crafted interrogatories, requests for admission (RFAs), and requests for production (RFPs) can make or break your litigation strategy—uncovering key facts, narrowing issues, and setting up dispositive motions. This toolkit explains each discovery tool under the California Code of Civil Procedure (CCP §§ 2030–2033), outlines response deadlines, and offers practical drafting tips. If you still have questions, book a free 15‑minute consultation to discuss your specific discovery needs.

Table of Contents

1. Overview of Discovery in California
2. Interrogatories — CCP §2030
3. Requests for Admission — CCP §2033
4. Requests for Production — CCP §2031
5. Meet‑and‑Confer Requirements
6. Common Objections & How to Draft Them
7. Motions to Compel Responses
8. Electronic Discovery (ESI) Considerations
9. Discovery Deadlines Cheat Sheet
10. Practical Tips for Efficient Discovery
11. Sample Discovery Timeline
12. Resources & Forms

Overview of Discovery in California

• Governed by CCP §§ 2016.010–2036.050
• Tools include depositions, interrogatories, RFAs, RFPs, subpoenas, and medical exams
• 30‑day response deadline (plus 5 days for mail) for most written discovery
• Sanctions available for misuse or failure to respond

Interrogatories — CCP §2030

What Are Interrogatories?

Limits & Types

Key Deadlines

• Serve any time after case initiation
• Respond within 30 days (mail adds 5 days)
• Motion to Compel if no response within 45 days of service

Drafting Tips

• Use plain language; avoid compound questions
• Tie each interrogatory to a specific claim or defense
• For form interrogatories, check only relevant boxes to avoid objections.

Requests for Admission (RFAs) — CCP §2033.010

Purpose

• Narrow issues by having the opponent admit or deny facts, authenticity of documents, or legal conclusions.

Highlights

• No numeric limit (but be reasonable to avoid sanctions)
• 30‑day response deadline
• Effect of Admission: Fact is conclusively established unless withdrawn
• Cost‑of‑Proof Sanctions: Failure to admit can shift attorney's fees if the fact is later proven at trial

Requests for Production (RFPs) — CCP §2031

Scope

• Documents, electronically stored information (ESI), tangible items, and site inspections.

Drafting Essentials

• Describe with “reasonable particularity.”
• Specify format for ESI (PDF, native, metadata).
• Include a time frame (e.g., “from January 1, 2023 to present”).

Response Options

• Produce, object, or state inability to comply (with reasons).
• Provide privilege log if withholding documents.

Meet‑and‑Confer Requirements

• Mandatory before filing any motion to compel (CCP §2016.040).
• Must be in good faith and in writing; phone or Zoom conferences recommended.
• Document efforts—attach meet‑and‑confer letters to your motion.

Common Objections & How to Draft Them

• Relevance — “Not reasonably calculated to lead to admissible evidence.”
• Overbroad & Unduly Burdensome — scope or time frame too broad.
• Privilege — attorney‑client, work product, trade secret.
• Privacy — constitutional or statutory protections.
• Vague & Ambiguous — unclear terms or definitions.

Tip: Always answer to the extent possible before objecting in full.

Motions to Compel Responses

• Separate Statement required (CRC 3.1345).
• Sanctions are discretionary but common for misuse.

Electronic Discovery (ESI) Considerations

• CCP §2031.030(a)(2) — specify ESI format.
• Claw‑back agreements to address inadvertent production.
• Native vs. PDF — choose based on metadata needs.
• ESI Protocol — set early to avoid disputes.

Discovery Deadlines Cheat Sheet

Practical Tips for Efficient Discovery

• Prioritize high‑impact requests tied to key claims.
• Use RFAs to authenticate documents and save trial time.
• Stagger discovery to avoid overwhelming the other side (and yourself).
• Track deadlines with a shared calendar or case‑management software.
• Review responses promptly to preserve motion‑to‑compel deadlines.

Sample Discovery Timeline

Resources & Forms

• Judicial Council Forms — DISC‑001, DISC‑015, MC‑030
• California Courts Discovery Self‑Help
• CCP §§ 2030–2033 (statutory text)
• California Rules of Court 3.1000–3.1346 (motions to compel)

Need tailored discovery assistance?

Call (909) 235-6116 or Contact Us to schedule a free 15‑minute consultation with a California discovery attorney.