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Rule 55 – Subpoena

May 14, 2021 | Civil Procedure, Oregon

(A) Defined; form. A subpoena is a writ or order directed to a person and may require the attendance of the person at a particular time and place to testify as a witness on behalf of a particular party therein mentioned or may require the person to produce books, papers, documents, or tangible things and permit inspection thereof at a particular time and place. A subpoena requiring attendance to testify as a witness requires that the witness remain until the testimony is closed unless sooner discharged, but at the end of each day’s attendance a witness may demand of the party, or the party’s attorney, the payment of legal witness fees for the next following day and if not then paid, the witness is not obliged to remain longer in attendance. Every subpoena shall state the name of the court , the case name, and the case number..
(B) For production of books, papers, documents, or tangible things and to permit inspection. A subpoena may command the person to whom it is directed to produce and permit inspection and copying of designated books, papers, documents, or tangible things in the possession, custody or control of that person at the time and place specified therein. A command to produce books, papers, documents, or tangible things and permit inspection thereof may be joined with a command to appear at trial or hearing or at deposition or, before trial, may be issued separately. A person commanded to produce and permit inspection and copying of designated books, papers, documents or tangible things but not commanded to also appear for deposition, hearing, or trial may, within 14 days after service of the subpoena or before the time specified for compliance if that time is less than 14 days after service, serve upon the party or attorney designated in the subpoena written objection to inspection or copying of any or all of the designated materials. If objection is made, the party serving the subpoena shall not be entitled to inspect and copy the materials except pursuant to an order of the court in whose name the subpoena was issued. If objection has been made, the party serving the subpoena may, upon notice to the person commanded to produce, move for an order at any time to compel production. In any case, where a subpoena commands production of books, papers, documents or tangible things the court, upon motion made promptly and in any event at or before the time specified in the subpoena for compliance therewith, may quash or modify the subpoena if it is unreasonable and oppressive or condition denial of the motion upon the advancement by the person in whose behalf the subpoena is issued of the reasonable cost of producing the books, papers, documents, or tangible things.
(C) Purpose; issuance.

(1) Purpose.

(a) Civil actions. A subpoena may be issued to require attendance before a court, or at the trial of an issue therein, or upon the taking of a deposition in an action pending therein or, if separate from a subpoena commanding the attendance of a person, to produce books, papers, documents, or tangible things and to permit inspection thereof.
(b) Foreign depositions. A subpoena may be issued to require attendance before any person authorized to take the testimony of a witness in this state under Rule 38C, or before any officer empowered by the laws of the United States to take testimony.
(c) Other uses. A subpoena may be issued to require attendance out of court in cases not provided for in paragraph C(1)(a) or C(1)(b) of this rule, before a judge, justice, or other officer authorized to administer oaths or to take testimony in any matter under the laws of this state.
(2) By whom issued.

(a) By the clerk of the court, or a judge or justice of the court for civil actions. A subpoena may be issued in blank by the clerk of the court in which the action is pending or, if there is no clerk, by a judge or justice of that court.

(i) Requirements for subpoenas issued in blank. Upon request of a party or attorney, any subpoena issued by a clerk of the court may be issued in blank and delivered to the party or attorney requesting it, who shall before service include on the subpoena the name of the person commanded to appear; or the books, papers, documents, or tangible things to be produced or inspected; and the particular time and location for the attendance of the person or the production or the inspection, as applicable.
(b) By the clerk of the court for foreign depositions. A subpoena for a foreign deposition may be issued as specified in Rule 38C(2) by the clerk of a circuit court in the county in which the witness is to be examined.
(c) By a judge, justice, or other officer. A subpoena to require attendance out of court in cases not provided for in paragraph C(1)(a) or C(1)(b) of this rule may be issued by the judge, justice, or other officer before whom the attendance is required.
(d) By an attorney. A subpoena may be issued by an attorney of record of the party to the action on whose behalf the witness is required to appear, subscribed by the attorney.
(D) Service; service on law enforcement agency; service by mail; proof of service.

(1) Service. Except as provided in subsection (D)(2) of this rule, a subpoena may be served by the party or any other person 18 years of age or older. The service shall be made by delivering a copy to the witness personally and giving or offering to the witness at the same time the fees to which the witness is entitled for travel to and from the place designated and, whether or not personal attendance is required, one day’s attendance fees. If the witness is under 14 years of age, the subpoena may be served by delivering a copy to the witness or to the witness’s parent, guardian, or guardian ad litem. The service must be made so as to allow the witness a reasonable time for preparation and travel to the place of attendance. A subpoena for the taking of a deposition, served upon an organization as provided in Rule 39(C)(6), shall be served in the same manner as provided for service of summons in Rule 7(D)(3)(b)(i), (D)(3)(c)(i), (D)(3)(d)(i), (D)(3)(e), (D)(3)(f), or (D)(3)(h). A copy of each subpoena commanding production of books, papers, documents or tangible things and inspection thereof before trial that is not accompanied by a command to appear at trial or hearing or at deposition, whether the subpoena is served personally or by mail, shall be served on each party at least 7 days before the subpoena is served on the person required to produce and permit inspection, unless the court orders a shorter period. In addition, a subpoena shall not require production less than 14 days from the date of service upon the person required to produce and permit inspection, unless the court orders a shorter period.
(2) Service on law enforcement agency.

(a) Designated individuals. Every law enforcement agency shall designate an individual or individuals upon whom service of a subpoena may be made. At least one of the designated individuals shall be available during normal business hours. In the absence of the designated individuals, service of a subpoena pursuant to paragraph (b) of this rule may be made upon the officer in charge of the law enforcement agency.
(b) Time limitation. If a peace officer’s attendance at trial is required as a result of the officer’s employment as a peace officer, a subpoena may be served on the officer by delivering a copy personally to the officer or to one of the individuals designated by the agency that employs the officer. A subpoena may be served by delivery to one of the individuals designated by the agency that employs the officer only if the subpoena is delivered at least 10 days before the date the officer’s attendance is required, the officer is currently employed as a peace officer by the agency, and the officer is present within the state at the time of service.
(c) Notice to officer. When a subpoena has been served as provided in paragraph (2)(b) of this rule, the law enforcement agency shall make a good faith effort to give actual notice to the officer whose attendance is sought of the date, time, and location of the court appearance. If the officer cannot be notified, the law enforcement agency shall promptly notify the court and a postponement or continuance may be granted to allow the officer to be personally served.
(d) “Law enforcement agency” defined. As used in this subsection, “law enforcement agency” means the Oregon State Police, a county sheriff’s department, or a municipal police department.
(3) Service by mail.

Under the following circumstances, service of a subpoena to a witness by mail shall be of the same legal force and effect as personal service otherwise authorized by this section:

(a) Contact with willing witness. The attorney certifies in connection with or upon the return of service that the attorney, or the attorney’s agent, has had personal or telephone contact with the witness, and the witness indicated a willingness to appear at trial if subpoenaed;
(b) Payment to witness of fees and mileage. The attorney, or the attorney’s agent, made arrangements for payment to the witness of fees and mileage satisfactory to the witness; and
(c) Time limitations. The subpoena was mailed to the witness more than 10 days before trial by certified mail or some other form of mail that provides a receipt for the mail that is signed by the recipient, and the attorney received a return receipt signed by the witness more than 3 days prior to trial.
(4) Service by mail; of subpoena not accompanied by command to appear. Service of a subpoena by mail may be used for a subpoena commanding production of books, papers, documents, or tangible things, not accompanied by a command to appear at trial or hearing or at deposition.
(5) Proof of service qualifications. Proof of service of a subpoena is made in the same manner as proof of service of a summons except that the server need not certify that the server is not a party in the action, an attorney for a party in the action or an officer, director or employee of a party in the action.
(E) Subpoena for hearing or trial; prisoners. If the witness is confined in a prison or jail in this state, a subpoena may be served on that person only upon leave of court, and attendance of the witness may be compelled only upon the terms as that court prescribes. The court may order temporary removal and production of the prisoner for the purpose of giving testimony or may order that testimony only be taken upon deposition at the place of confinement. The subpoena and court order shall be served upon the custodian of the prisoner.
(F) Subpoena for taking depositions or requiring production of books, papers, documents, or tangible things; place of production and examination.

(1) Subpoena for taking deposition. Proof of service of a notice to take a deposition as provided in Rule 39(C) and Rule 40(A), or of notice of subpoena to command production of books, papers, documents, or tangible things before trial as provided in subsection (D)(1) of this rule or a certificate that notice will be served if the subpoena can be served, constitutes a sufficient authorization for the issuance by a clerk of court of subpoenas for the persons named or described therein.
(2) Place of examination. A resident of this state who is not a party to the action may be required by subpoena to attend an examination or to produce books, papers, documents, or tangible things only in the county wherein the person resides, is employed, or transacts business in person, or at any other convenient place that is fixed by an order of the court. A nonresident of this state who is not a party to the action may be required by subpoena to attend an examination or to produce books, papers, documents, or tangible things only in the county wherein the person is served with a subpoena, or at any other convenient place that is fixed by an order of court.
(3) Production without examination or deposition. A party who issues a subpoena may command the person to whom it is issued to produce books, papers, documents, or tangible things, other than individually identifiable health information as described in section H, by mail or otherwise, at a time and place specified in the subpoena, without commanding inspection of the originals or a deposition. In such instances, the person to whom the subpoena is directed complies if the person produces copies of the specified items in the specified manner and certifies that the copies are true copies of all the items responsive to the subpoena or, if all items are not included, why they are not.
(G) Disobedience of subpoena; refusal to be sworn or to be answer as a witness. Disobedience to a subpoena or a refusal to be sworn or answer as a witness may be punished as contempt by a court before whom the action is pending or by the judge or justice issuing the subpoena. Upon hearing or trial, if the witness is a party and disobeys a subpoena or refuses to be sworn or answer as a witness, that party’s complaint, answer, or reply may be stricken.
(H) Individually identifiable health information.

(1) Definitions. As used in this rule, the terms “individually identifiable health information” and “qualified protective order” are defined as follows:

(a) Individually identifiable health information. “Individually identifiable health information” means information that identifies an individual or which could be used to identify an individual; that has been collected from an individual and created or received by a health care provider, health plan, employer, or health care clearinghouse; and that relates to the past, present, or future physical or mental health or condition of an individual; the provision of health care to an individual; or the past, present, or future payment for the provision of health care to an individual.
(b) “Qualified protective order.” “Qualified protective order” means an order of the court, by stipulation of the parties to the litigation, or otherwise, that prohibits the parties from using or disclosing individually identifiable health information for any purpose other than the litigation for which the information was requested and that requires the return to the original custodian of the information or the destruction of the individually identifiable health information (including all copies made) at the end of the litigation.
(2) Procedure. Individually identifiable health information may be obtained by subpoena only as provided in this section. However, if disclosure of any requested records is restricted or otherwise limited by state or federal law, then the protected records shall not be disclosed in response to the subpoena unless the requesting party has complied with the applicable law.

(a) Supporting documentation The attorney for the party issuing a subpoena requesting production of individually identifiable health information must serve the custodian or other keeper of that information either with a qualified protective order or with an affidavit or declaration together with attached supporting documentation demonstrating that:

(i) the party has made a good faith attempt to provide written notice to the individual or the individual’s attorney that the individual or to the attorney had 14 days from the date of the notice to object;
(ii) the notice included the proposed subpoena and sufficient information about the litigation in which the individually identifiable health information was being requested to permit the individual or the individual’s attorney to object;
(iii) the individual did not object within the 14 days or, if objections were made, they were resolved and the information being sought is consistent with that resolution. The party issuing a subpoena must also certify that he or she will, promptly upon request, permit the patient or the patient’s representative to inspect and copy the records received; and
(iv) the party issuing a subpoena certifies that he or she will, promptly upon request, permit the patient or the patient’s representative to inspect and copy the records received.
(b) Objection. Within 14 days from the date of a notice requesting individually identifiable health information, the individual or the individual’s attorney objecting to the subpoena shall respond in writing to the party issuing the notice, stating the reason for each objection.
(c) Time for compliance. Except as provided in subsection (H)(4) of this section, when a subpoena is served upon a custodian of individually identifiable health information in an action in which the entity or person is not a party, and the subpoena requires the production of all or part of the records of the entity or person relating to the care or treatment of an individual, it is sufficient compliance with the subpoena if a custodian delivers by mail or otherwise a true and correct copy of all of the records responsive to the subpoena within 5 days after receipt thereof. Delivery shall be accompanied by an affidavit or a declaration as described in subsection (H)(3) of this section.
(d) Method of compliance. The copy of the records shall be separately enclosed in a sealed envelope or wrapper on which the name of the court, case name and number of the action, name of the witness, and date of the subpoena are clearly inscribed. The sealed envelope or wrapper shall be enclosed in an outer envelope or wrapper and sealed. The outer envelope or wrapper shall be addressed as follows: if the subpoena directs attendance in court, to the clerk of the court, or to the judge thereof if there is no clerk; if the subpoena directs attendance at a deposition or other hearing, to the officer administering the oath for the deposition, at the place designated in the subpoena for the taking of the deposition or at the officer’s place of business; in other cases involving a hearing, to the officer or body conducting the hearing at the official place of business; if no hearing is scheduled, to the attorney or party issuing the subpoena. If the subpoena directs delivery of the records to the attorney or party issuing the subpoena, then a copy of the proposed subpoena shall be served on the person whose records are sought, and on all other parties to the litigation, not less than 14 days prior to service of the subpoena on the entity or person. Any party to the proceeding may inspect the records provided and/or request a complete copy of the records. Upon request, the records must be promptly provided by the party who issued the subpoena at the requesting party’s expense.
(e) Inspection of records. After filing and after giving reasonable notice in writing to all parties who have appeared of the time and place of inspection, the copy of the records may be inspected by any party or by the attorney of record of a party in the presence of the custodian of the court files, but otherwise shall remain sealed and shall be opened only at the time of trial, deposition, or other hearing, at the direction of the judge, officer, or body conducting the proceeding. The records shall be opened in the presence of all parties who have appeared in person or by counsel at the trial, deposition, or hearing. Records that are not introduced in evidence or required as part of the record shall be returned to the custodian who produced them.
(f) Service of subpoena. For purposes of this section, the subpoena duces tecum to the custodian of the records may be served by first class mail. Service of subpoena by mail under this section shall not be subject to the requirements of subsection (D)(3) of this rule.
(3) Affidavit or declaration of custodian of records.

(a) Content. The records described in subsection (H)(2) of this rule shall be accompanied by the affidavit or declaration of a custodian of the records, stating in substance each of the following:

(i) that the affiant or declarant is a duly authorized custodian of the records and has authority to certify records;
(ii) that the copy is a true copy of all the records responsive to the subpoena; and
(iii) that the records were: prepared by the personnel of the entity or the person, acting under the control of either; prepared in the ordinary course of the entity’s or the person’s business; and prepared at or near the time of the act, condition, or event described or referred to therein.
(b) When custodian has no records or fewer records than requested. If the entity or person has none of the records described in the subpoena, or only a part thereof, the affiant or declarant shall so state in the affidavit or declaration and shall send only those records of which the affiant or declarant has custody.
(c) Multiple affidavits or declarations. When more than one person has knowledge of the facts required to be stated in the affidavit or declaration, more than one affidavit or declaration may be used.
(4) Personal attendance of custodian of records may be required.

(a) Required statement. The personal attendance of a custodian of records and the production of original records is required if the subpoena duces tecum contains the following statement:

The personal attendance of a custodian of records and the production of original records is required by this subpoena. The procedure authorized pursuant to Oregon Rule of Civil Procedure 55(H)(2) shall not be deemed sufficient compliance with this subpoena.

(b) Multiple subpoenas. If more than one subpoena duces tecum is served on a custodian of records and personal attendance is required under each pursuant to paragraph (H)(4)(a) of this rule, the custodian shall be deemed to be the witness of the party serving the first such subpoena.
(5) Tender and payment of fees. Nothing in this section requires the tender or payment of more than one witness and mileage fee or other charge unless there has been agreement to the contrary.
(6) Scope of discovery. Notwithstanding any other provision, this rule does not expand the scope of discovery beyond that provided in Rule 36 or Rule 44.

Or. R. Civ. P. 55

CCP 12/2/78; §§A,C,H amended by 1979 c.284 §§ 33, 34, 35; §§D(1), F(2) amended by CCP 12/13/80; §D amended by CCP 12/4/82; §D amended by 1983 c.751 § 5; §H(2) amended by CCP 12/13/86; §H(2) amended by CCP 12/10/88 and 1/6/89; §E amended by 1989 c.980 § 3; §§A,B,C,D,F,H amended by CCP 12/15/90; §H amended by 1993 c.18 § 3; §D amended by CCP 12/10/94 and 1995 c. 79, § 404; §§F,H amended by CCP 12/10/94; §I added by 1995 c. 694 § 1; §I amended by CCP 12/14/96; §D amended by 1997 c. 249 § 10; §C amended by 1999 c. 59 § 5; §I amended by CCP 12/12/98; §H amended by 2001 c. 104 § 3; §H amended by CCP 12/14/02 and 2003 c. 194, § 11; §I deleted by CCP 12/14/02; §F amended by CCP 12/9/06; §D amended by CCP 12/13/08 and 2009 c. 364, § 1; §H amended by CCP 12/1/12